SERIES: WOW! WHOSE YOUNG DAUGHTER IS THAT? (PART 6) THE BENEFITS OF GODLY ADVICE
1. Ruth 3:1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing (fanning, sifting) barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
2. Ruth 2:5 Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, “Whose Beautiful Young Daughter Is That?”
INTRO: WOW! WHOSE YOUNG DAUGHTER IS THAT? BENEFITS OF GODLY ADVICE (PT. 8)
SERIES: An Intro (God Can Change Your Story); Love Is More Than Kissing; Getting Out Of Mara – Dealing With Bitterness; Father’s Day Message - Where Did Elimelech Go Wrong?, Behold A Woman Lay At His Feet; Characteristics Of A Good Spouse (What Do People Know About You?); Who Was Boaz This Eligible Bachelor?; I Will Not Marry Ruth & Endanger My Heritage – She Is Not My Type; Be The Kinsman Redeemer In Your Family – Deal With The Family Curses; Here Comes The Bride; The Benefits Of Godly Advice; The Dating Game; When The Honeymoon Is Over - How Satan Attacks Christian Marriages; What Do You Do When You Realize You’ve Married The Wrong Person; The In-Laws Factor; You Can Begin Again (About Divorce Or Death - Life Without A Spouse), etc.
THE BOOK OF RUTH HAS MULTIPLE THEMES – ONE MAJOR THEME IS TAKING ADVICE
1. Ruth 1: Advices: Elimelech & Naomi advised each other to leave Bethlehem and go to Moab. The boys advised themselves to marry Moabite women. After their death, Naomi advised the girls to go back to their families & gods. One daughter in law refuses the advice and the other takes it and returns. Naomi then advises herself to go back to Bethlehem. Naomi accepts she’s a loser.
2. Ruth 2 Advices: Ruth advices herself to find work. She is too distraught to give sound advice. Boaz advices her to work in his field. Ruth advices herself to carry herself with dignity among the young men. Naomi advises Ruth to stay & work with the men where she will be protected by a kinsman redeemer.
3. Ruth 3: Advices: Naomi gives advice that is hard to understand. But Ruth follows that advice which we will examine later. Later, Ruth advises Boaz. Boaz advises Ruth. Naomi advises Ruth.
4. Ruth 4: Advices: There is a marriage. But it would not have been possible without good counsel. Boaz advised the kinsman redeemer to buy the property or else. But he did it with wisdom, prayer and planning. Based on God’s Word, the people bless Ruth & Naomi.
WHAT IS ADVICE? An Opinion Or Recommendation Offered As A Guide To Action.
Illustration: The Life Of The Bird Is In Your Hands. Our ability to make it in life hinges on listening to & taking good godly counsel. Whether Marriage, Spirituality, Finances, Relationships, Temperaments, Friendship, Profession, etc: The child who does not hear will feel. The fly who does not listen to its mother will follow the corpse into the grave.
1. Pro. 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
2. Pro. 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
3. Ecc. 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?
4. Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.
I Don’t Know About Other Pastors, but I have seen that very few people in our congregations take our advice. People would rather listen to themselves, their friends, bosses, relatives, horoscope, anonymous sources, enemies, Facebook, their stars, politicians, Miss Cleo, etc. Pastors should be great sources of advice because we represent God. Most People Only Come To Us When They Have Created Mess On The Outside. When we try to intervene and things don’t go the way they intended, they blame us. E.g. Court cases, marriages, business partner, place of residence, spirituality, spoken words or action, etc. 1 Corinthians 4:14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have Ten Thousand Instructors in Christ, yet you do not have Many Fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will Remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
THE BOOK OF PROVERBS OFFERS SPECIFIC ADVICES ON:
1. Adultery – Leads To Death: Pro. 6:24-35 Can a man take fire in his bosom & not be burned?
2. Anger - It is Prudent to Control It: Pro. 16:32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
3. Unstable People Not To Be Trusted: Pro. 24:21 Meddle not with those given to change.
4. Children Are to Be Disciplined By Parents: Pro. 1:8-9 Listen to your parents instruction.
5. Don’t Envy the Wicked Pro. 24:1 Don’t envy evil men.
6. We Need True Friends Pro. 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, like a man his friend.
7. Righteous Rulers Needed: Pro. 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.
8. Honey Is Good In Moderation Pro. 25:16-27 Don’t eat too much honey, don’t boast.
9. Liars Are An Abomination To God Pro. 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord.
10. Marriage: A Good Wife & Husband: Pro. 21:9 Better to dwell in an attic, than in a big house with a brawling woman.
11. Perseverance: Never Give Up! Pro. 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
12. Pride Brings You Low; Humility Produces Honor Pro. 29:23 Pride brings a man low; humility produces honor.
13. Tithing Results in Blessings Pro. 3:9-10 Honor God with your substance, He will bless you.
14. You Control Your Tongue & You Control Your Life Pro. 13:2-3 He that keeps his mouth, keeps his life.
15. Drink leads to destruction: Pro. 31:6-7 Give strong drink to those ready to perish.
EXAMPLES OF WRONG ADVICE IN THE BIBLE
1. Adam: Gen. 3 Did what his wife told him to do, and it cost him and every person.
2. Abraham: Gen. 16: Listened to Sarah and took Hagar as wife against God’s counsel.
3. Aaron: Exodus 12 Succumbed to people’s pressure and made an idol. That sin led to deaths.
4. Samson: Judges 16 Picked the wrong girlfriend; ended up losing his strength, eyesight, life.
5. Saul: I Sam. 15 Lost his kingship when he chose to do as the people wanted, rather than God’s.
6. Amnon: 1 Sam. 13 Took bad advice of his friend, Jonadab, committed incest & lost his life.
7. Solomon: I Kgs 11:4 His marriages to heathen wives turned his heart away from God.
8. Rehoboam: I Kings 12 Heeded the wrong advice and reaped a rebellion of his people.
9. Paul & Centurion: Acts 27:11: But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.
10. Judas: Matt. 27:3-5: Listened to wrong advice of Pharisees & betrayed Jesus for money.
COUNSEL TO BE AVOIDED
Gen. 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
1. Wicked People: Job 21:14-16 They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Thy ways. Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we entreat Him?’ Behold… the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
2. Inexperienced People: 1 Kgs 12:8-10, 13-14 But he [Rehoboam] forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, `Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” And the young men who grew up with him spoke to him… the king answered the people harshly… and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men.
3. Zealots & Extremists: For them the solution to everything is prayer, no work. The cause of all America’s problems are the Democrats or the Republicans. They see everything one way.
4. Boot Lickers, Sycophants, Simpletons: They agree with everything their friends advice.
5. Instigators: The same way they dealt with their problems in relationship or whatever is the same way you should deal with yours.
6. Selfish Advisors. Consider the motives behind it. If the advice given primarily helps the dispenser of that advice get ahead, the advice itself has to be carefully evaluated.
7. Unsolicited Advisor. This is the easiest to deal with, because it is neither desired nor relevant.
8. Psychics & Witches: A person who claims to use extrasensory perceptions to identify hidden meanings & messages or demonic spirits that the normal senses are unable to see - fortune telling, card reading, witches, horoscope, astrology, etc. They provide services for money.
CURSES/CONSEQUENCES OF SEEKING WICKED COUNSEL
1. Death: 1 Chro. 10:13-14 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, and did not inquire of the Lord. Therefore He killed him, and turned the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.
2. Strife: Pro. 13:10 Through presumption comes nothing but strife, but with those who receive counsel is wisdom.
3. Plans Frustrated: Pro. 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated.
4. Failure: Pro. 11:14 Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.
5. Miscellaneous Curses & Consequences: Jos. 9:14-15 So the men of Israel took some of their [Gibeonites] provisions and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them to let them live [thus the Promised Land was populated with foreigners].
WHY CHRISTIANS OR PEOPLE DON’T FOLLOW ADVICE
1. Pride / Arrogance. Pro. 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death”. Pro. 12:15a Proud people a:e fools for “the way of a fool seems right to him”.
2. Hardened Heart: Pro. 28:14b “He who hardens his heart falls into trouble” .
3. Trust In Oneself & Not In God: Pro. 28:26 “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe”.
4. Disrespect For The Advisor: The advisee does not respect the word of the advisor.
GOOD SOURCES OF COUNSEL
Psalm 1:1 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
1. Lord: Pro. 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord, it will stand. / Is. 9:6 …and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor.
2. Scripture: Ps. 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. / Matt. 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
3. Godly People: a) Mother & Father: Pro. 1:8-9 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck. b) Godly Father’s Counsel: 1 Kgs 2:1-4 As David’s time to die drew near, he charged Solomon his son saying, “I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do.” c) Those Gifted With Wisdom: 2 Chro. 9:23 And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart. / 1 Cor. 12:8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit.
4. Experienced People: 2 Chro 10:6-8 Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?” And they spoke to him saying, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given.
5. Spiritual Advisors: Spiritual should refer to a person who is connected to God - not materialistic & selfish. Full of love – to help others. Do not ask for money. Gives God credit not self.
6. Kids: 2 Kings 5:1-19 Naaman’s maid advised him to seek help in Israel to heal his leprosy.
7. Animals: Num. 22-24: Balaam’s donkey rebuked him for disobeying God for the sake of materialism to curse those God had blessed.
8. Ourselves: Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself… Jos. 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
BLESSINGS OF SEEKING GOOD GODLY COUNSEL
1. Victory Or Success: Pro. 11:14 …In abundance of counselors there is victory. Pro. 15:22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.
2. Direction & Guidance: Pro. 6:20-22 My son, observe the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you.
3. Wisdom: Pro. 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline that you may be wise the rest of your days.
4. Increase ed Learning: Pro. 19:20 “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days”. Summary: As we grow older we need to become wiser and better.
5. Safety: Pro. 24:6 “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety”
6. Stability: Pro. 20:18 “Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war”.
CONCLUSION – USING THE JOB EXAMPLES
1. Is It Biblical? In order to discern wise counsel, you must first know the Bible. Personal observation and personal opinions do not necessarily equal fool-proof counsel.
2. Is It Factual? We make assumptions when giving advice. Get the facts. Job's friend came to comfort him in his sickness but assumed that he had sinned and should confess.
3. Is It Necessary? Did Job really need such long debate in his greatest crisis? It may indeed be wise counsel to use very few words when someone around you is hurting.
4. Is It Teachable? Most of the counsel he received from his friends were simply not teachable. Instead, Job would eventually pass on what he learned about God.
5. Does It Acknowledge The Advisor’s Imperfections? Not once in the Book of Job do any of the counsel-givers leave the door open for possible error. They all think they know why Job is suffering. John 9: The disciples think a man is born blind because his parents sinned.
6. Is It Spoken In Love? In Job 8:4 Bildad took a cheap shot at Job's children – 7 sons, 3 daughters): "When your children sinned against God, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin." If advice given is biblical, factual and necessary, it will never be heeded if not given in love.
PART 2: MY FATHER ADVISED ME WITH HIS LIFE
1. No Corruption.
2. Worked Hard.
3. Never Suppress Others To Build Mansions For Himself.
4. No Attacks Or Conflict.
5. His Children Never In Conflicts Because He Never Encouraged It.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM
1. Knowledge Is Accumulation Of Facts & Information. Wisdom Is Proper Application Of Knowledge.
2. Knowledge Is The Awareness That A Surface Is Hot. Wisdom Is Not Touching It.
3. Knowledge Is Knowing Service Times. Wisdom Is Attending The Services.
WHY IS ADVICE IMPORTANT IN LIFE?
1. It Helps You To Avoid Painful Mistakes.
2. It Gives You A Range Of Options.
3. It Gives Problem Solving Ideas – Finding The Right Path.
4. It Shows That People Care For You.
5. It Helps Us Know Who Does Not Care For Us.
6. It Creates A Spirit Of Humility In The Advisee.
7. It Makes Us Realize That No One Person Has All The Answers.
8. It Helps You To Grow Up.
ADVICE SCENARIOS: IF SOMEONE CAME TO YOU NEEDING ADVICE IN THESE AREAS…
1. A Child Calls You And Says He Is Abused By His Parents; What Will You Do?
2. A Woman Calls You To Say She Was Raped By Her Husband. What Will You Do?
3. If You See Your Friend Or Child Going Wrong, What Do You Do?
4. When Things Are Difficult For You, What Route Do You Take With The Job’s Petty Cash?
5. What Do You Write On Your Time Sheet? At Work, Do You Sign In For A Friend?
6. When You Meet Someone You Feel Is The Right Person For Marriage, What Should You do?
7. When You Advise And They Don’t Listen, How Do You Feel?
8. Your Best Friend Tells You To Try Alcohol Or Drug, What Do You Do?
9. A Friend Tells You She / He Does Not Love Her Spouse Anymore. What Do You Advice?
10. My Husband And I Are Quarreling And I Want To Have The Upper Hand When The Police Comes. What Will You Advice Me To Do?
11. I Just Received A Nasty Information On Someone I Do Not Like. What Should I Do With It?
12. Your Friend Borrows Money From Someone Else And Does Not Have Money To Pay. Advice?
13. My Husband & I Are Not On Good Terms. I Want Sole Custody. What Do Advice?
CASE SCENARIO: THE BENEFITS OF TAKING GOOD ADVICE
6 Lessons From Samuel On Those Who Neglect Godly Advice (1 Samuel 8:1-22)
1. Lesson # 1: Bad Choices On The Part Of Others, Does Not Necessarily Mean Bad Leadership On Our Part: Samuel is a man of integrity as judge over a stubborn nation like Israel. He set a good example for his sons, but as they grew older, they rebelled. So the people decide they want a king. Samuel warned them but they ignore it. While we can give our best advice, people will choose their own path. Their choice is not always a reflection of our influence.
2. Lesson # 2: Pray About A Situation Before Rendering Advice: The Israelites told Samuel: “You didn’t do such a great job in raising your kids, because they aren’t like you. And you’re getting old so we want a king to lead us.” They reject Samuel & he feels hurt. But the reasons they give for wanting a king are simply excuses - the real reason is: “Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” They want to be like everyone else. Same with parents & kids. Samuel was probably sure of what God would say, yet before he speaks, he prays.
3. Lesson #3: Listen Fully To The Other Person: What happens when Samuel prays to God about this foolish request of Israel? First, we are told “And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you…” Hear them out. Let them clearly tell you their wishes & reasons for the request. We find it easy to cut people off when we know, or at least think we know what they are about to say. The truth is, even if we know what they will say, let them speak.
4. Lesson #4: Discern Their Reasons Prayerfully: God says: “…It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” Once Samuel hears all that the people say & takes it to God, God helps him discern the reality of what they are saying. Samuel thought they were rejecting him, but the truth is they were really rejecting God. Discernment is needed. A child can say to another adult, “I don’t want to go to my home!”, it may be rebellion or it could be fear. The motive for the people’s rejection of God’s rule is found in 1 Sam. 12:12: “But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we want a king to rule over us’ - even though the Lord your God was your king.” They saw the Ammonite king & his army coming against them – Fear motivated their request. They wanted a king that you could see to lead them.
5. Lesson #5: Having Discerned Their Motives, He Warned Them Solemnly: You would think that once the motive was revealed to Samuel, he would then confront the nation with their wayward motives. No. Once God helps Samuel discern the real motive, God tells him: “Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly…” Samuel was to listen again and then warn them based on the discernment. He tells them a king would draft them into the military, tax, and make them slaves. In other words, the very thing they fear is the very thing they will end up getting.
6. Lesson #6: Vent To God Privately: And we are told “…the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us.” You know you’re right - you’ve listened patiently, warned them solemnly and they still refuse to listen. What should you do? We don’t continue to lecture; punch them in the nose; go off all offended; give up on them and wish they suffer for their choice; go gossiping about it to others, etc. What should we do? “When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord.” That is: “He gossiped about them to God.”
7. Lesson # 7: Support Graciously: Samuel was judge and ruler. He could have used his authority to tell the people what they could do. But he recognized that his authority was given to him by God and was subject to God. God told Samuel: “Listen to them and give them a king.” It was hard for Samuel, but he did what God said. 1 Sam. 12:23: What else Samuel does. “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” Samuel continues to pray and teach the people what was right, provide support even though they have a king.
A LOOK AT THE STORY
From Ruth 1-4, Naomi’s Advice Changes From One Of Bitterness To One Of Extreme Care. Why? Ruth 3: 1 One day Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi said to her, “My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for. 2 Now Boaz, with whose women you have worked, is a relative of ours. Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 3 Wash, put on perfume, and get dressed in your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don’t let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do.” 5 “I will do whatever you say,” Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
WHY SUCH ADVICE FROM NAOMI, THE BITTER ONE?
1. Naomi Has Softened Her Bitterness With Hope To Live Again.
2. She Realizes That Ruth Is Taking Risks For Her Only – Not For Herself – Sincerity.
3. Naomi Determines The Manner Of Dressing.
4. Naomi Determines The Timing.
5. Naomi Determines Action To The Letter.
6. Naomi Knows The Culture.
7. Naomi Has Been Doing Some Investigations Of Her Own.
8. Naomi Still Has Contacts In Bethlehem.
9. Naomi Knows Boaz’s Character.
10. Naomi Is Not Leading Her Daughter To Do Prostitution Or Trap A Man.
11. Naomi Is More Experienced Than Ruth.
12. Naomi Knows The Nature Of Men – Ruth Is Virtuous But Young / Green.
13. Read Ruth’s Response: Ruth 3:5-6 A Woman Who Takes Counsel.
THREE THINGS ABOUT ADVICE (ACTS 21:1)
1. Some Times Good People Can Give You The Wrong Advice. When Paul landed in Tyre he went seeking Christian companionship. Acts 21:4b: The brethren warned Paul, “through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem”. The Holy Spirit had not forbidden Paul to go to Jerusalem but according to Acts 20:22 constrained him. The Holy Spirit had revealed that Paul would undergo suffering for Christ. He did not tell them to inform Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Agabus predicted persecution for the apostle – but their love for him caused them to beg him not to go.
2. Sometimes The Advice We Offer Others Can Be Based More On What We Desire Than What The Will Of God Is. Acts 21:5-12: At the home of Philip the evangelist, they went out to pray with many people. After many days, Prophet Agabus came from Judea. He bound his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” There is no evidence Agabus interpreted this prophecy but Paul’s friends did - they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.” Why Did Paul Received These Warnings? To test his resolve and his pressing on is a sign of his obedience and faith. The believers are right in their understanding that Paul would be imprisoned in Jerusalem but wrong in their conclusion that Paul should not go. Notably, these believers were wrong, even though they seemed to be unanimous in their conclusion. We think democratically & go with the majority. But the majority can be wrong.
3. Some Times Our Advice Rather Than Encouraging People To Follow The Will Of God, Discourages Them. The pressure on Paul must have been considerable. For Paul acknowledged that they were tearing him apart by saying in Acts 21:13: “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart?” This meant weakening his will to accomplish his journey. Paul then revealed his determination not to be deterred from following what God had revealed as His will for Paul’s life. “For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13b).
“SELECTED SPIRITUAL & PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR LIVING”
1. Respect God By Putting Him First In All You Do.
2. Respect Yourself.
3. As Much As Possible, Respect Others Even Those Who Don’t Deserve It.
4. Act Your Age - Be Mature.
5. Be Responsible. Do Not Become Anyone’s Shadow.
6. Stay Out Of Conflicts
7. Make No One’s Quarrels Yours.
8. Be Future Minded.
9. If A Parent, Know That Your Behavior Will Transfer.
10. If A Parent, Your Life No Longer About You.
11. Guard Your Tongue.
12. Guard Your Sex Life.
13. Commit Your Children To God.
14. Your Life Is Also Your Prayer.
15. Never Walk Into A Snake’s Den Unless You Are Poison Proof.
16. Respect Authority.
17. Spend Wisely.
18. Defraud No One.
19. Do Not Lie, Gossip, Slander Anyone.
20. Focus On Your Education & Profession.
21. Do Intend To Live Off The Sweat Of Other People.
22. Provide For Your Family Well.
23. Be Careful What You Watch, See, Hear, Go, Say.
24. Watch The People You Move With – They Form & Represent Your Taste Of Choice.
25. Do Not Be Arrogant, Haughty Or Proud.
26. Be Hospitable / Generous.
27. Live As If You Could Die Tomorrow And Live As If You Could Live For The Next 100 Years.
28. Never Work With Others To Destroy Other People.
29. Know That You Always Answer For What You Do.
30. Remember That No Condition Is Permanent.
31. Never Bite The Fingers That Feed You.
32. Don’t Drink – Wine Is S Mocker; Strong Drink Is Raging.
33. Don’t Be A Party Animal – Focus On The Tomorrow.
34. Do Not Do Drugs.
35. Wait For Marriage Before Sex.
36. Have The Courage To Live A Life True To God And Yourself, Not The Life Others Expect Of You.
37. Never Attribute To Malice That Which Can Be Adequately Explained By Stupidity.
38. Don’t Make Decisions When You’re Angry. Don’t Make Promises When You’re Happy.
39. If You Blame It On Someone Else, Don’t Expect It To Get Better.
40. If The Grass Is Greener On The Other Side, There’s Probably More Manure There.
41. Don’t Give Up What You Want Most For What You Want Now.
42. Never Let Your Sense Of Morals Prevent You From Doing What Is Right.
43. Strive To Be The Man Or Woman You Want Your Daughter Or Son To Marry.
44. Never Instigate Others To Fight Your Battles.
45. Never Make Someone A Priority Who Only Makes You An Option.
46. Try Not To Take Anything Personally. No One Thinks About You As Much As You Do.
47. If You Want To Know What A Man’s Like, Take A Good Look At How He Treats His Inferiors, Not His Equals.
48. If You Treat Someone Like A Queen or King, And They Treat You Like A Joker, Your Princess or Prince Is In Another Castle.
49. Don't Complain About Getting Older: Not Everybody Gets The Privilege.
50. On Relationships — Always Appreciate Your Friendships.
51. You Can't Control What Others Think Of You.
52. You're Your Own Worst Enemy. Be Your Own Best Friend Instead.
53. Life's Not Fair. Seek God’s Favor…
54. The Best Revenge Is To Live Well.
55. Never Condescend To People Of Low Thinking.
56. Whatever Your Hand Finds To Do, Do It Well.
57. Most Things Are Not As Bad As You Think They Are.
58. Be Considerate Of Others.
59. Judge Others Favorably. You Never Know What Battle They Are Fighting.
60. Respect Other People’s Opinions Even When They Differ From Your Own.
61. When You Master Your Emotions, You Master Your Life.
62. Often Times The People We Think Are Our Enemies Are Our Friends To Impact Our Future.
63. Never Say "But..."
64. Your Choice Of Friends Speaks Very Well Of Who You Are.
65. Think Before You Complain. It May Not Be As Bad As You Think.
66. Time Is The One Thing You Never Get Back.
67. Attitude Is More Important Than Talent.
68. Quality Is Always Greater Than Quantity.
69. Be Reliable – Even When It Belongs To You.
70. You Do Not Win An Argument By Talking Excessively, Abusing, Or Fighting. You Win By Living In The Opposite Spirit.
71. Do The Right Thing Even If It Is Unpopular.
72. Silly People Seek Recognition, Smart People Seek Achievement.
73. Slow Down – You Cannot Do Everything At Once.
74. Everyone Ends Up In The Same Place – A Box. 'At The End Of The Game, The King And The Slave Go Back In The Same Box.' (Italian Proverb).
75. Time Is Not Money. It's Better.
76. Listen. "God Gave You Two Ears And One Mouth; Use Them Proportionally."
77. Take Risks When You Can.
78. Stay True To Yourself.
79. Choose Your Friends Wisely – They Represent You.
80. Never Respond To A Fool According To His Foolishness.
81. Develop Positive Habits In Spite Of The Environment.
82. Create Certainty And Leave Room For Uncertainty.
83. Value Your Family – You Share Their Blood Type.
84. While Prayer Releases The Hand Of God, Prayer Does Not Stop Us From Taking Action.
85. Never Build Gallows For People You Do Not Like – Rat Trap Is Not For Rat Alone.
86. A Dog Measures Its Throat Before It Swallows A Bone – Do Not Meddle In Every Trouble.
87. Learn To Accept Criticism – That May Be The Only Honest Opinion Of Your Life.
88. Do Not Let Impatience Derail Your Plans.
89. Review & Take Stock Of Where You Are, Not Where Others Are.
90. Never Become Any One’s Walking Stick – When They See Them, They See You.
91. Be Very Selective With Whom You Share Your Dreams.
92. If You Have No Dreams, You Are A Living Dead.
93. Learn To Appreciate Little Things No Matter The Giver.
94. Remember That A Great Percent Of What You Worry About Will Never Come To Pass.
95. If You Depend On Others To Secure Your Happiness, You Have Already Secured Your Unhappiness.
96. Shouting From The Mountaintop That You Are A Christian Does Not Make You One.
97. The World Operates On Principles – You Reap What You Sow.
98. Those Who Can Smile When Everything Is Going Wrong Have Found Someone To Blame It On.
99. Experienced People Were Left On Earth To Help Make Life Easier For Us. Learn From Them.
100. No Strain, No Gain. What Comes Easy Goes Easy.
101. Avoid Negative People At All Costs. They Will Convert You.
102. The Best Way To Get Even Is To Better Your Future, Not Expose Your Weaknesses.
103. In Order To Succeed In Life, You Will Have To Create Your Own Path To Success.
104. People Who Live For Pleasure Are Already Dead While They Live.
105. Forgive People, Not For Their Sakes, But For Your Own Sake.
106. No Matter What People Say About Your Past, Prove To Yourself That Your Past Is Not Your Future.
107. Failures, Disappointments, Rejection, Mockery Are The Building Blocks Of Success.
108. If You Lie Down With Dogs, You Will Wake Up With Fleas.
109. If You Desire Something, Go After It – Quitters Never Win And Winners Never Quit.
110. Trust No Future However Pleasant.
111. Whatever Your Hand Finds To Do, Do It With All Your Heart.
112. Your Sense Of Value Should Not Be Dependent On Human Compliments But Knowing Who God Says You Are.
INTERCESSION / PRAYER
1. Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit." Some folks are seriously damaged from the inside. Avoid them. They cannot help you.
2. Proverbs 24:6 For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory. Some folks are sent by God to guide you to your future – find & listen to them.
3. The Prayer Of St. Francis: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.
4. Chinese Proverb: “He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool - avoid him. He who knows not and knows that he knows not can be taught - teach him. He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep - wake him. He who knows and knows that he knows is wise - follow him.”
5. My Prayer: That I May Not Go Too Far Into Ignorance, Stay There Too Long And Come Back Too Late.
