It is no mystery why I have chosen or really God has impressed upon me to encourage the readers and subscribers of Hugh's News to read through the Book of Proverbs. I sense I need to read it at this stage of my life far more than anyone else. I am 83 years old and I am having to deal with many issues that I never thought I would encounter. I need wisdom to sort things out. I want to be as productive and be obedient to the Word of God. I am no longer a pastor or a chaplain in the military. Those days are gone forever. My role now is to love and support my pastor and life up his hands. The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I hope you will be extravagant in giving to your pastor. That investment will paid great dividends. I can tell you a pastor needs all the love and support he can get. One of the things we can do is to come to Sunday school and church every Sunday or Wednesday night expecting to meet with God and to experience His presence in a new way. My primary ministry now is Hugh's News. I am committed to the subscribers and readers of Hugh's News to give you my very best. I was taught that by my Godly parents, and that principle of life was reinforced by my three-year enlistment in the United States Marines, and later as an Army Reserve chaplain and an active duty and reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force. I gave 29 years and 29 days of active and reserve duty to my country that I love. I stand when the National Anthem is sung and place my hand over my heart, and when an American flag is passing my way, I stand and salute. In my front yard I have erected a tall flag pole and I fly every day the American flag. The American flag is symbolic of the greatest country in all the world where God has allowed me to be born and live a prosperous life and I want my life to be lived for others. My theme is what Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses. It is my responsibility to correct the things in my life that are detrimental to me and my family. As you read the second chapter of Proverbs today allow the Holy Spirit to speak through what you are reading. Whatever God is speaking through His Word with the aid of the Holy Spirit take a moment or two and write it down. Make a few notes. Then, reflect on what God has given you.
When I find something that really speaks to where I am, I will immediately say it over and over again, and endeavor to memorize it. I must say that I am finding it harder to memorize Scriptures, but I am trying to do so.
May God bless and reward you for reading the second chapter of Proverbs today.
Prov 2:1-22
2:1 Make Insight Your Priority
Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
2 Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.
3 That's right — if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer,
4 Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
5 Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-GOD will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.
6 And here's why: GOD gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
7 He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. 8 He keeps His eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to His loyally committed ones.
9 So now you can pick out what's true and fair, find all the good trails!
10 Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
11 Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.
12 They'll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions 1
13 Of those who are lost themselves and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
14 These losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
15 Traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.
16 Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress — that smooth-talking Seductress
17 Who's faithless to the husband she married years ago, never gave a second thought to her promises before God.
18 Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell.
19 No one who joins her company ever comes back, ever sets foot on the path to real living.
20 So — join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried and true paths.
21 It's the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here.
22 The corrupt will lose their lives; the dishonest will be gone for good.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses. It is my responsibility to correct the things in my life that are detrimental to me and my family. As you read the second chapter of Proverbs today allow the Holy Spirit to speak through what you are reading. Whatever God is speaking through His Word with the aid of the Holy Spirit take a moment or two and write it down. Make a few notes. Then, reflect on what God has given you.
When I find something that really speaks to where I am, I will immediately say it over and over again, and endeavor to memorize it. I must say that I am finding it harder to memorize Scriptures, but I am trying to do so.
May God bless and reward you for reading the second chapter of Proverbs today.
Prov 2:1-22
2:1 Make Insight Your Priority
Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
2 Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.
3 That's right — if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer,
4 Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
5 Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-GOD will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.
6 And here's why: GOD gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
7 He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. 8 He keeps His eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to His loyally committed ones.
9 So now you can pick out what's true and fair, find all the good trails!
10 Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
11 Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you.
12 They'll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions 1
13 Of those who are lost themselves and can't tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
14 These losers who make a game of evil and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
15 Traveling paths that go nowhere, wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.
16 Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress — that smooth-talking Seductress
17 Who's faithless to the husband she married years ago, never gave a second thought to her promises before God.
18 Her whole way of life is doomed; every step she takes brings her closer to hell.
19 No one who joins her company ever comes back, ever sets foot on the path to real living.
20 So — join the company of good men and women, keep your feet on the tried and true paths.
21 It's the men who walk straight who will settle this land, the women with integrity who will last here.
22 The corrupt will lose their lives; the dishonest will be gone for good.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)