Happy Wednesday Folks! Today's Devotion is taken from Bible.com These verses spoke to me today

Proverbs Day 61 (KJV):

Proverbs 10:12-14:(KJV): "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding. 14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."

Thoughts for the Day

These verses in Proverbs are a contrasting picture of hatred and love, and wisdom and foolishness. Those who are hateful are always stirring up trouble and getting in strife with others. People who hate have hostile minds and are full of malice toward others. Their hatred not only leads to the persecution of those they oppose, but it also manifests even toward those who are their friends. Anyone who embraces hatred, will soon find that this emotion does not stop with just hating one's enemies, but it will break out against people they do not want to hurt. The reason is that the very nature of sin is to grow. If we do not resist it, it will overtake us, and we will find that it has become our master. If a person hates another, soon they will find they are unable to selectively hate certain people as they become consumed with the spirit of hate.

On the positive side, those who choose to love and forgive others, will find that will have loving natures. When we ask the Lord to give us love for those who use us and persecute us, we can conquer all hateful thoughts toward others. We cannot do this in ourselves; however, the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome hatred with His love. This love is a wonderful miracle we receive when we receive Christ in our hearts. As Christians, we will not want to expose people's sins, but rather, we will cover them with love. In our world today, it is popular to dig up and expose people's sins. Many good people who are in the public spotlight and have made some mistakes in their lives, are scrutinized unmercifully. Gossip mongers always try to find something that people have done wrong, usually for political reasons. I am not referring to corrupt leaders when I make this statement, as their own sins will find them out, because they sin openly, as well as sin in the shadows. They reap what they sow.

In verse 13 those who lack understanding and are foolish, will bear the "rod of correction." In early times, men who did wicked deeds were openly punished by public whipping. The "rod" used, was sometimes a tree branch or in some cases a stick. All sins come with a penalty attached to them. The greater the sin, the greater the penalty. Jesus died on the cross and took the penalty for our sins. Without His sacrifice, we would all not only face hell, but deserve it as well. If we come to Him and ask Him to forgive our sins, and invite Him into our hearts, we will not go to hell, but heaven will be our home.

Verse 14 says that if we are wise we will store up knowledge. This knowledge is of the things of God. Hosea 4a says: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." The reason so many of God's people are destroyed is because they lack the knowledge of God's Word. They are foolishly speaking the wrong things that are bringing destruction upon their lives. We should speak the things that the Bible declares, and not allow negative things to come out of our mouths that are contrary to the Word of God.

Peace and Love...

Pray for someone today...throw one in there for me as I prepare to enter a very busy season in my life. Pray for my strength through these times.

Love you all...

:: LA ::