15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:18 - The hot-tempered stir up dissension, but those who are patient calm a quarrel. I have noticed in my own life and my own house how true this is. When I let my impatience out it kicks up a dust that causes others to react the same way. It is kind of like mowing weeds. You may not be suffering from any allergies before, but once the weeds are kicked up you begin to see the symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes). One person's dissension or impatience can lead to others giving into that weakness as well. BUT, when I calm my own heart, tongue and mind than others around me aren't stirred up. Instead of feeding off of each other's stress, you nip it in the bud from the start. We would all do better to be calm first and I bet we would have a lot less trouble overall.
16:1 - To human beings belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. I am asking God for some specific direction for the community of Christians I work with and for my own life and family right now and I know this to be true. I can make all the plans I want one way or the other, but what I really want is to know what God's will is. My plans do not satisfy and bring peace the way that even one answer from God can and does. I can detail out everything and still be unsettled, but if God speaks it brings a tremendous peace. I am seeking to figure that out better even right now. Nancy (my wife) shared a few chapters from a book on fasting for spiritual breakthrough and spiritual insight yesterday that was a great reminder. Why guess. When you want to know God's will and direction ask Him in a way that helps you focus. In my case, it means doing some fasting to listen better. God wants us to know what He wants and it is our job to make sure we are listening when He speaks.
16:2 - People may think all their ways are pure, but motives are weighed by the Lord. This is something else I know to be true. I can think I am pure in my motives all I want, but God truly knows. When you are talking with God be really honest. Whatever your sin, weakness or struggle (greed, laziness, overworking, uncommitted, impatient) admit it up front. Ask God to tell you the truth about yourself. If we truly want to follow God we have to ask Him to help us see ourselves as we truly are and not as we want to be.
16:3 - Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. I will stand on this promise.
16:9 - In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
16:26 - The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. I love this verse. When people are tied to the success or failure they work better and harder and more faithfully. When it is someone else's benefit it is easy to sit back and not really invest. We have to develop our lives and our ministries so that people see their part in it. If they are affected by the harvest they will be more involved, invest and inclined.
16:33 - The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
Love you each, Michael
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