April 13, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 13
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Following Scripture Verses

1. A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8. The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15. Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
18. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21. Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.
22. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
23. Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25. The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

Today's Pathway:
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"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." - Proverbs 13: 20

I once heard an old preacher say, "You currently are, or you soon shall become, just like the people that you spend your time with." According to today's verse, that man of God was absolutely correct. Solomon advises his son to be very careful as to who he spends his time with, for those people will have a tremendous influence on his own life.

If you choose to spend your time with those who are wise, their wisdom will rub off on you. This will happen by several means. First of all, you will hear them talk about what they do and why they do it. Second, you will be able to observe them in their daily lives and see first hand how they live. Third, you will be accompanying them as they walk down life's path, and thus you will be making wise decisions along the way with them.

In the same manner, if you choose to associate with fools, you will become more like them and suffer the same fate that they do. You will be with them when their world crumbles around them, and you will undoubtedly be caught in the damage. Not only that, but you will also be living in rebellion against the God of Heaven, and His wrath will eventually fall upon you.

Making good decisions includes deciding who you should and should not be close friends with. Many a decent person has been ruined by his choice of associations. Take a few moments and examine who the people are that have the greatest personal influence on you. If they are fools, you had better find new companions before it is too late, both for them and for you.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery