by Sadie Robertson Huff | Jul 26, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice
It has been so fun going through Proverbs together! I cannot wait to share with you some treasures in Proverbs seven and eight. If you are just now joining us and want to catch up, I got you! Here are the previous posts:
Proverbs 1 + 2
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 4
Proverbs 5
Proverbs 6
Now let’s dive in!
PROVERBS 7 AND 8
There is nothing I can add to Proverbs 7 that would wake you up or explain anything better then the way that TPT version of the Bible lays it out. So, I encourage you, if you have been struggling with lust, pornography, sexual immorality, or adultery read it as your guide. Literally, thank you God for Proverbs! On that note we are going to pick up in Proverbs 8.
Proverbs 8 (TPT) is an absolutely beautiful illustration of what wisdom can do for your life. You will remember that Solomon is the writer of Proverbs. He is also the man who had the chance to receive anything he asked for from God and he chose wisdom. It’s important to remember this before reading the things that he writes about wisdom because more than anyone else in the world, Solomon knew the blessing the gift of wisdom can be. It’s hard for us to even understand being given this particular gift. Wisdom isn’t something we can always measure easily so how to we know we have it. We know Solomon had it because the Bible tells us he did. When we read Solomon’s account of the value of wisdom, we can know he lived with it daily. He walked in it and used it as he reigned as king.
Let’s dive in.
Proverbs 8:1-3 – “Can’t you hear the voice of Wisdom? From the top of the mountains of influence she speaks into the gateways of the glorious city. At the place where pathways merge, at the entrance of every portal, there she stands, ready to impart understanding, shouting aloud to all who enter, preaching her sermon to those who will listen. ‘I’m calling to you, sons of Adam, yes, and to you daughters as well. Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise. For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart that will change their inner being.’ ”
I have always loved the start of this chapter. I love how loud and confident wisdom in. It says that she stands, she shouts, and she preaches to those who will listen. She believes in what she is saying. She is not bothered by what people think, because she knows what she is saying is powerful. Have you ever felt confident about something you were saying or doing because you knew it was true? That is the feeling wisdom can give you. It’s a confidence in who you are and what you say. Wisdom lets you not worry about the reaction of others, and to not hide the truth that you know. Wisdom brings out the boldness in you and stirs up the passion.
I also love how this verse says even the foolish can receive it and it will change their inner most being! Wisdom is not just for the smart people or those with power or prestige; it is for everyone who seeks it.
v. 7 “For everything I say is unquestionably true, and I refuse to endure the lies of lawlessness— my words will never lead you astray.”
See! Wisdom knows she is leading people to a better life, so she makes sure she is heard! It is hard to be confident in life when you do not know what you stand for, who you are, or what you believe — but when you find truth, confidence follows. And when you follow wisdom, you will never go astray. Wow! That’s powerful stuff!
v. 13 “Wisdom pours into you when you begin to hate every form of evil in your life, for that’s what worship and fearing God is all about.”
PREACH! It makes sense that what we like, we pursue. We date people we like. We play sports we like. We listen to music we like. What we like, we go after. If someone likes things that are sinful, they will pursue them. This verse tells us when we begin to hate those things that cause us to sin, we will begin to run from them and pursue God. And pursuing God leads to wisdom.
v.32 “So listen, my sons and daughters to everything I tell you for no sign will bring you more joy than following my ways.”
v.34-36 “If you wait at wisdom’s doorway, longing to hear a word for every day, joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say. For the foundation of life pours into you every time that you find me, and this is the secret of growing in the delight and favor of the Lord. But those who stumble and miss me will be sorry they did! For ignoring what I have to say will bring harm to your own soul. Those who hate me are simply flirting with death!”
I love how it starts off by saying “if you wait at wisdom’s doorway.” Wisdom is not going to come looking for you, or knock on your door, you have to pursue it with patience and WAIT. Patience is such a beautiful thing and many times we miss the process of waiting at the doorway of wisdom because we do not know what it looks like to wait. This verse paints a beautiful picture of waiting and longing for wisdom’s words. In my growing relationship with Christian, I now long to hear his words each day. And his words bring me joy. That’s how we should be with our desire for wisdom. Pursuing wisdom by staying close to the Lord will bring us surpassing joy. Our father in heaven knows best and He knows everything about you and me! He wants to walk alongside of us and guide us. He wants us to experience joy.
The last verse is so real it almost seems too blunt, but God is a truth teller. It says “those who hate me (wisdom) are flirting with death.” This isn’t the only verse that talks about the troubles that follow foolishness. God’s desire is for us to have an abundant life. He’s the life-giver, but the foolish will bring their own troubles. Do the things of God and wisdom will be your reward.
We’re also told in this chapter that wisdom was with God when life began. If you’re seeking a meaningful life — seek wisdom. I hope you dive into these chapters even more! There is much WISDOM in it. 🙂
XO,
Sadie
If you’re loving this study and looking for community to discuss it with along with soo many other resources, consider joining our online community of sisters! Sign up to be notified once LO Fam’s doors open back up here! Hope to see you there 🙂
by Sadie Robertson Huff | Jul 1, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice |
It has been so fun going through Proverbs together! I cannot wait to share with you some treasures in Proverbs six. If you are just now joining us and want to catch up, I got you! Here are the previous posts:
Proverbs 1 + 2
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 4
Proverbs 5
Now let’s dive in!
Honestly, if you take the instruction of this Proverbs I think it is going to put some pep in your step, and help you make some decisions that you might have been putting off for quite some time. This chapter addresses an issue that this generation who is obsessed with sloths tends to struggle with, laziness!
The chapter starts out strong by talking about if you get stuck in any kind of binding contract situation that you do not need to be in, it gives the advice in verse 3, “QUICKLY get out of it if you possibly can! Swallow your pride, get over your embarrassment, and go tell your “friend” you want your name off that contract. DON’T PUT IT OFF, and don’t rest until you get it done. Rescue yourself from future pain and be free from it once and for all. You’ll be so relieved that you did!”
I know for those of you who do not like confrontation this verse is one you want to sprint over, but there is so much wisdom in this. The passion version just really lays it right out in front of you. What is the hard phone call you need to make? I used to have a hard time making these kind of moves myself, but I was at a leadership conference once Craig Groeschel said something that helped me not to put off things that I knew might be hard for me to do. He said, “Surgery hurts, but death hurts worse.” Essentially, it is hard to make a decision to cut something out or someone out in your present even though you know it may hurt your future, but the price you pay by not cutting out what you need to will kill your business, dream, relationship, and really just anything that it touches.
Verses 6-11 also address the issue of laziness and it is a good life lesson.
Life Lessons
When you’re feeling lazy,
come and learn a lesson from this tale of the tiny ant.
Yes, all you lazybones, come learn
from the example of the ant and enter into wisdom.
The ants have no chief, no boss, no manager—
no one has to tell them what to do.
You’ll see them working and toiling all summer long,
stockpiling their food in preparation for winter.
So wake up, sleepyhead. How long will you lie there?
When will you wake up and get out of bed?
If you keep nodding off and thinking, “I’ll do it later,”
or say to yourself, “I’ll just sit back awhile and take it easy,”
just watch how the future unfolds!
By making excuses you’ll learn what it means to go without.
Poverty will pounce on you like a bandit
and move in as your roommate for life.
This is one of those moments I am just going to let Solomon, the writer of proverbs, have a mic drop and ask y’all not to kill the messenger. Act as if Solomon is your mentor right now and take that advice to heart, because it will help you fulfill your purpose on a day-to-day basis. Verse 11 is something I want to highlight – reread it.
When my little brother turned 16 he is a very good example of who this is talking to. My parents told him that if he worked hard in school and met a certain grade point, then they would bless him with a car. It was not an impossible grade point to reach. I would say it was pretty grace filled if you ask me. Well, he turned 16 and did not have the grades, so he did not get the car. Keep in mind, my brother is an incredibly talented, smart, and creative guy and my parents and our whole family see that potential in him. Because of that, they then extended it and said whenever you reach these grades we will get you the car. It has been almost two years with the same offer on the table, and he still has not made the grades, so he does not have the car and the only thing standing in between him and this car is his own laziness and excuses. I want to ask you, what is your car? What is the thing that could be the very thing that takes you to the next place in life, but the lack of a little work is hindering you from reaching? “By making excuses you’ll learn what it means to go without” is very true.
Throughout the whole bible it talks about not being lazy. Romans 12:11 “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically! Wake up sleepy heads! You all have purpose to walk in every single day!”
XO,
Sadie
If you’re loving this study and looking for community to discuss it with along with soo many other resources, consider joining our online community of sisters! Sign up to be notified once LO Fam’s doors open back up here! Hope to see you there 🙂
by Sadie Robertson Huff | May 31, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice |
It has been so fun going through Proverbs together! Chapter 5 is incredible, and I am so excited to dive in with y’all. I hope you feel yourself getting wiser as you read, and I hope this scripture helps lead you to answers that your heart has been searching for in your life.
If you want to catch up on this study, I got you! Here are all the posts:
Proverbs 1 + 2
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 4
PROVERBS 5
Verse 2: so that wisdom and discernment will enter your heart, and then the words you speak will express what you’ve learned.
This verse is just a starter verse to the chapter, but I do not want us to pass up a really cool point found in it. The wisdom and discernment that enters your heart WILL be expressed when you speak.
People always ask me, “HOW DO YOU KNOW SO MANY SCRIPTURES?” The simplest answer is that I study and dwell on those scriptures so, when I speak, that is what comes forth. The more consistently you study and dwell on the words, the more consistent and confident you will become in speaking them. Just like the saying, “garbage in, garbage out” applies to putting things in our heads that are not good for us, that also applies to putting good things, like wisdom, in our heads. Good or bad, what is in your heart will come out of your mouth.
Verse 3: Remember this: The lips of a seductress seem sweet like honey, and her smooth words are like music in your ears.
Verse 4: But I promise you this: In the end all you’ll be left with is a bitter conscience. For the sting of your sin will pierce your soul like a sword.
Key word: SEEM. Honey in the bible is talked about as something that is sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. In the old days, honey was often times used as a natural way of healing wounds. Honey is also a sought-after treat, just as a significant other is sought after. All the single people say, “HEYYY–give me some honey!” Although everyone wants a honey in their life (no pun intended), it is so important that the honey you are attracted to does not just SEEM like honey, but that it actually is the sweet kind. Notice the scripture says, her words SEEM like honey, BUT they will lead you to a bitter conscience. Honey or a “honey” should not lead you to a bitter conscience. The next sentence is so real and something we all need to take seriously – “For the sting of your sin will pierce your soul like a sword.” Often times, the church and people in general look at God as if He is this judgmental, mean God determined to punish those who have been sexually immoral, but the truth is God only hates the sin because He loves you and He hates that something He made to be so good at the right time, will hurt you. He knows that is a proper time to “awaken love” as the Song of Solomon puts it. The verse does not say, “and God will pierce you with a sword” it says “YOUR SIN will pierce you with a sword.” It says YOUR seemingly bitter honey may lead you to harm and bitterness. If that has happened to you, the last thing you need to run from is God. Go stand under the Honey of God to bring healing and wholeness.
Verse 8: Don’t even go near the door of her house unless you want to fall into her seduction. Do not flirt with temptation, because you will fall for what your heart is set on desiring.
Let me expand so you can know it when you see it in your own life.
The “door of her house” may look to you like a wild party when you’re trying not to fall into peer pressure.
It may look like being around a lot of alcohol when you’re trying to quit.
It may look like inviting your significant other when your parents are not home.
It may look like clicking on an app or downloading one that causes you to lust.
Do not even go near.
Verse 12: And then finally you’ll admit that you were wrong and say, “If only I had listened to wisdom’s voice and not stubbornly demanded my own way, because my heart hated to be told what to do!”
I am just going to leave this one at that.
Verse 22: Beware that your sins don’t overtake you and the scars of your own conscience become the ropes that tie you up.
Again, notice that when it talks about sins it does not say, “Beware because God will not love you anymore and you will just overtaken by sin and left without hope.” Not to be dramatic about it, but I feel like this is the story that a lot of people have told themselves. But that is not what wisdom or love says. It says “beware” because it’s warning you o you will not harm your own heart and distract your mind from the scars that sin creates. God hates sin, because He loves you and He has everything that you desire in fullness. Wisdom will trust that and feel no need to go to the door of temptation.
XO,
Sadie
by Sadie Robertson Huff | Apr 29, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice |
I am so excited to be covering chapter 4 with you all this month! It is packed with so much advice from a Good Father. I hope we will all walk away from this study a little wiser 🙂
If you are just now joining in on this study and want to start from the beginning, you can find the Proverbs 1/2 post here and Proverbs 3 post here.
Let’s get started!
Proverbs 4:1 (TPT): Listen to my correction, my sons, for I speak to you as your father. Let discernment enter your heart and you will grow wise with the understanding I impart.
Solomon, the author of Proverbs, is referring to God, our perfect Heavenly Father! God has an abundance of wisdom, but often times we can miss it, choosing instead to seek out advice from the world. We are encouraged to be “attentive” to this wise council from the one who sees our past, present, and future. We’re encouraged to let discernment enter our hearts. Discernment means having the ability to judge well or make good decisions. Practice making good decisions and you will grow wiser.
Verses 5-6: Make wisdom your quest- search for the revelation of life’s meaning. Stick with wisdom and she will stick with you, protecting you throughout your days.
True life is found at the wisdom of our Father. What’s beautiful here is that the son made a conscious decision to stay, to listen, and to learn. He wasn’t looking for a quick fix, and his father was incredibly patient in teaching him. This is a beautiful picture of wisdom in and of itself: humbly absorbing instruction that will stick with you and protect you.
Verses 8-9: Wisdom will exalt you when you exalt her truth. You will be adorned with beauty and grace, and wisdoms glory will wrap itself around you.
Friend, we are seeing here that wisdom will not chase you down, but “she” (meaning wisdom) loves to be caught. She is a prized possession, set aside by our father for the ones who see the value in the gifts she gives and in her warm embrace.
Verse 12: Your progress will have no limits when you come along with me, and you will never stumble as you walk along the way.
Again, we are seeing the Father making him (us) aware that this abundance of wisdom is at his (our) disposal, yet he (we) must choose to hear and accept it. Wisdom leads to protection, endurance, and life. What are you willing to choose?
Verses 14-15, 17: Do not detour into darkness or even set foot on that path. Stay away from it; don’t even go there! They feed on darkness and drink until they’re drunk on the wine of wickedness.
Often times, we tip-toe toward sin instead of run away from any temptation of it. This verse encourages us to do the latter-stay away from it! We are either moving toward death or moving toward life. The analogy of food and wine is used here as it’s easy to understand. We are either feasting on the “bread of life” or the “bread of wickedness”. We are either drinking from the true vine or the wine of violence. Friends, flee from temptation and cling to life! We want to be a people who live and breath with fresh life.
Verses 21 & 23: Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your heart. So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you have.
Towards the end, the father is winding down his lesson to his son and we see that he mentions the son’s heart twice. Why is this? We will always worship what has our affections—what has our heart. Our greatest affections will always dwell in our hearts. If we tuck wisdom away in our hearts, our life will produce “springs of life”. I don’t know about you, but I want my life to be known as a “spring of life” by the one who provides living water for my soul.
Verses 24-27: Avoid dishonest speech; set your gaze on the path before you; watch where you’re going; Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for an even a moment.
Just like any good father, he ends with practical advice that we all should cling to. Anything we say, whatever we look at, and anywhere we go will always be an indicator of wisdoms work in our life or the lack thereof. Pure speech, a clear gaze, and a straight path are the markers of a wisdom filled life. Keep them in mind. It will be a way to measure whether your life is on track or not according to what God has for you. Write verses 24-27 on your mirror, put them in your car, or save them as your screensaver to be reminded to walk in the way of wisdom! This is where freedom is found!
I am so thankful to get to walk through chapter 4 with you and would love to hear your favorite verse from this chapter and what you learned. Add it to the comments below. As always, I hope you walk away strengthen and encouraged by God’s word.
XO
Your sister and friend,
Sadie Rob
Follow me on Instagram @legitsadierob
by Sadie Robertson Huff | Mar 25, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice |
Proverbs 3 is PACKED, so we are going to focus on just this one chapter this week in our Proverbs study. We can catch up later. If you are just joining the Proverbs study, click here to read Proverbs 1 and 2 from last month. The plan is to go through the book of Proverbs this year together, so make sure you leave comments and let us know what God is speaking into your heart while you are reading.
Let’s get started.
Proverbs 3:5 (TPT): Trust in the Lord completely, And do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, And he will lead you in every decision you make.
You may know this verse from another translation. Here’s how you may have heard this verse: Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your path straight.
I can hardly read that verse without singing it in my head like we did in Sunday school.
In life, you are going to go through a lot. You may have already gone through a lot. Sadly, life is full of troubles. I depend on this verse in the hard times because it tells you and me this: If (I/you) fully put (my/your) trust in God and not rely on (my/your) own opinions, He will guide (me/you) throughout (my/your) life.
Think about it. Say it over again. You do not have to walk through life blindly. You do not have to walk through life hesitantly. You do not have to walk through life ignorantly. God’s Spirit will guide you to make every yes and every no be more than words. They can be confident answers to life issues. God silences confusion, stress, and anxiety if you just trust in Him. Trusting in God will certainly change the way you walk
Verse 7:Don’t think for a moment that you know it all…
HEYO! I know this verse is speaking to a lot of people. Humility matched with wisdom will take you far in life. I know so many of you do not want to hear this next statement, but it’s true. You will never know it all. Yep, that’s right.Even if you made a 36 on the ACT (which is super cool if you did), there is still more to know in life. Even if you have a master’s degree, if you own a business, if you pastor a church, if you have been in church your whole life and heard “every sermon there is to know,” there is still more to learn. God is the God who was and is and is to come. There is a whole lot of information to know about Him and this universe.
There are so many people who speak into my life: well-known pastors, local pastors, family members, uber drivers, little kids, and really anyone who has life to give can speak to me. I learn a ton from all of them, and hopefully they learn a little from me, too. For all of us, there must be a willingness to learn. I have to be willing to learn from the little kid or the pastor and they have to be willing to learn from me. Being humble and allowing others to teach you is a great character trait to strive for.
Verse 11: My child, when the Lord God speaks to you, Never take his words lightly, And never be upset when he corrects you.
This verse goes so deeply in my heart. I’m pretty sure I heard this a few times from my own parents. Ha! Many times, we choose what we want and don’t want to hear from God. If it is too scary, we close our ears. If it is too crazy, we close our ears. If it would take too much from us, we close our ears. If it convicts us too deeply, we close our ears. I want to encourage you to listen to God’s words and don’t take them lightly. God’s words are always said to make you a better person and your life an easier road. Look around. God is the God of all creation. He knows what’s best and His intentions are the best. Listen and obey. It will take you further than you thought you could go.
Verse 12: For the Father’s discipline comes on from his passionate love and pleasure for you. Even when it seems like his correction is harsh, it’s still better than any father on earth gives to his child.
Verse 11 and 12 tell us that we can be confident that God’s intentions toward us are good. I know you’ve heard your parents tell you they discipline you because they love you. Well, it’s true. Loving someone means wanting the best for them and sometimes that means discipline—not in a mean way, but a loving way in order to help train for a better way to live. Loving parents, like a loving God, discipline from a place of passionate love for their children.
Verse 17: The ways of wisdom are sweet, always drawing you into the place of wholeness.
Here is a good way to discern wisdom from other talk. Ask yourself if what is being said or taught is something that is drawing you into a place of wholeness or making you or someone else feel worthless? If what you are saying or hearing is making you or another person feel worthless, then you need to redirect your talk toward wholeness. As this verse says, wisdom is sweet. Think about that. Wisdom will not direct you to speak unkindly toward another person. It will lead you to wholeness through words that are kind and good.
Verse 21: My child, never drift off course from these two goals for your life: to walk in wisdom and to discover discernment. Don’t ever forget how they empower you.
There is so much talk today about empowerment. Everyone wants to feel empowered. Here is how it is accomplished—through wisdom and discernment. This verse tells us discernment, which is good judgement and decision-making, and wisdom, which leads to discernment, are powerful tools because they EMPOWER us to a better life. Looking at life with foolish eyes and foolish ears will always leave us confused and uncertain about life choices. But, if we use our God-given brain to make wise choices and discernment to make good decisions, we will be empowered to move forward in life.
Verse 22: For they strengthen you inside and out and inspire you to do what’s right; you will be energized and refreshed by the healing they bring.
Now doesn’t that sound nice? Energized and refreshed is always good. The “they” this verse is talking about is wisdom and discernment. Those two things not only empower you, but they strengthen you inside and out, inspire you to do what’s right, give you energy, and refresh you by their healing powers. WOW! That’s a lot of good stuff right there! Have you ever thought that wisdom and discernment can heal? Wisdom brings truth to the lies we are all told each day. Lies others tell us and lies we tell ourselves. When we see an ad with a gorgeous girl with big, beautiful hair, wisdom helps us know that someone has fluffed her hair, touched up her makeup, and then the photo was edited to perfection. Do you see how wisdom and discernment can heal? How that wisdom and discernment bring a freshness to stale thinking?
Verse 23: They give you living hope to guide you, and not one of life’s tests will cause you to stumble.
And the good stuff keeps going! Do you need a guide? Wisdom is your go-to guide. Do you worry about walking blindly through life? Call on wisdom and discernment. Do you think you may not pass one of life’s tests? Wisdom is your teacher.
But, there’s more! These next three verses are the greatest of all to me.
Verse 24-26: You will sleep like a baby, safe and sound—your rest will be sweet and secure. 25 You will not be subject to terror, for it will not terrify you. Nor will the disrespectful be able to push you aside, 26 because God is your confidence in times of crisis, keeping your heart at rest in every situation.
To every anxious heart out there, let this sink in deeply. You will sleep like a baby. We have a new baby in our family and we love watching him sleep. His entire body is relaxed. Good judgement and common sense will give you your rest back. God promises to be your confident trust partner.
Verse 31: Don’t act like those bullies or learn their ways.
In verse 27, the subject changes to wisdom in relationships and basically we’re challenged to do the right thing. Always. Don’t hold grudges, don’t quarrel, don’t act like a bully. Verse 32 tells us the godly walk under a stream of God’s blessings. That’s where I want to be! You probably do, too.
Verse 34: If you walk with the mockers you will learn to mock, but God’s grace and favor flow to the meek.
Let’s look at these two verses closer. They go hand in hand. How many times do we excuse our actions, because we want to fit into the environment around us? This verse exposes the “everyone’s doing it mom” excuse we love to give and puts it in its place, which is not a good place. Peer pressure is real and it is persuasive, so it is important to be cautious about who you let surround you. There are people out there who DO NOT want the best for you. There are people out there who you DO NOT want to be like. There are people out there you DO NOT want to learn from. You have been called to something greater and higher by the grace of God. Listen and look for everything that magnifies THAT calling.
Hopefully you are walking away today a little taller and a little wiser. Xo
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