Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Wisdom from Proverbs”
Our Bible verse for today: “The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” Proverbs 28:13-14 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Live well, please God, inspire others.”
In these two verses from Proverbs 28 we find a Biblical prescription for living a good life: Be honest with yourself and with God about your sins; repent and receive mercy and forgiveness from God; then do your best to live in a way that obeys and honors Him. This is what God requires of His people. It’s what He has always required of them from the earliest of times. Way back in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy Moses told the people of Israel:
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” Deuteronomy 10:12-13
Solomon writes here in Proverbs 28: 13-14 that if we do live that way we will find true happiness. Of course he didn’t mean to imply that your life will be trouble free, because it won’t be. But overall, in a big picture way, you will have a life that is generally happy and content. That’s the reward of a godly lifestyle.
Beyond that, your godly lifestyle will have a positive impact on others as well. These verses in this Proverb don’t actually speak to that, but we know from experience that it’s true. People all around us are watching and they are impacted by how we conduct ourselves. Pastor Chuck Swindoll once explained it like this:
“Hey, who knows whom you could persuade if you walked with God? Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with every day need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just crackerjack clean living. Just honest-to-goodness, bone-deep, nonhypocritical integrity. Authentic obedience to God.”
A godly lifestyle is its own reward. It brings you the best and happiest life you can ever have, and it will inspire and impact others. So honor God with how you live! Live well, please God, and inspire others with your conduct.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 