"If" you have been foolish..........

For me, I would not say, "if", but yes, of course I have been, in fact, many times.

As I read in my devotions this morning, these verses stood out to me.

Proverbs 30:32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand to your mouth.

Proverbs 30:33 For as the churning of milk produces butter, And as wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

We tend to exalt ourselves, it comes naturally, it's really the problem of the "pride of life" Jesus talked about it so often, and we have so many examples of it in the Old Testament.

And, if we have devised or thought evil, yes, of course we have, then here is what we ought to do, and why.

We should put our hand on our mouths, that is, stop it. That's the simple instruction the Lord gives us here. If it's coming out of your mouth, put your hand on your mouth and stop it.

Then, the reason.........just like the churning of milk produces butter, if we do not exercise self control, and we are tempted to anger, and do not exercise self-control, it will produce wrath.

Self control, is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He lives in us, to help us in so many ways. This is a big area where He can help. Self control, is when He helps us to master ourselves, and to restrain ourselves, to have control of ourselves.

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is our Helper, not the one who condemns us. He has come into our lives, to come alongside of us and to take our hearts as it were by His hand, to lead us and to guide us.

One of the main ways the Holy Spirit guides us, is to lead us to the forgiveness of God. The Bibles says in 1st John 1:7, But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

So, may the Lord be our helper today. We all have done foolishly, more times then we care to think about. But, the Lord has not given up on you, and will never give up on you. One thing He will do for you, for sure, is to help you.

Lord, thank You for having the Holy Spirit live inside of us, and for being our Helper. We confess our sins to You, and ask for cleansing, and strength. May we walk in that self control that You give to us. In Jesus name, amen..........

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Practical Application and promises from God.

1. Remember, God does not condemn you.

2. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

3. Take God's hand as it were, and let Him lead you today.

4. God is going to finish what He started in your life.

5. Be merciful to others, they may need more help then you do.

6. Jesus came to save, not condemn, let's try and act just like Him.