King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Friday, June 06, 2025
Chapters: Proverbs 10-12
Message: Proverbs: The Work of God
Hello My Friend,
As we continue in the reading of Proverbs we learn the importance of a good name and what happens to the wicked. We also learn that work is something that we all must tend to in order to get through this life, but for the saved, born again Christian it needs to be the right kind of work.
[John 6:26-29 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.]
Think about what Jesus is saying, there is all kinds of work do be done from a homemaker to a leader of a nation and every one of us has a duty. If we seek wages solely for the sake of what we can personally get out of it, then it will only lead to our own destruction. However, if we trust that Jesus is with us, He will not only enable us to do our duty, we will be well taken care of.
[Philippians 1:20-24 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.]
I am not going to lie, these past couple of years I have struggled with my job because it feels vain to me. When I worked in customer service I saw the fruit of my labor, when I worked as a pastry chef I saw the fruit of my labor, even when I built websites I saw the fruit of my labor, but with this job all I see are weeds. I do have to say one thing, God, saw fit that it took care of me and my family for a year when my husband was out of work and mom was in and out of hospitals and rehab. So while we may not always enjoy the work that we do, we can enjoy the hope of Christ using us for whatever purpose He needs us, [1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.]
Keep in mind that the work of God is believing in Christ first so once we do that everything else will fall into place. As we have been reading through the Proverbs we have gotten a little bit of insight on how powerful knowledge is and in the leaning of God’s understanding. Now, we start seeing these random thoughts that are coming to Solomon’s mind. Reading through the Proverbs always manages to open our eyes, convict our heart, and remind us that while the righteous do suffer from the natural evils in the world, it is only temporary. The wicked on the other hand will do more than suffer, they will perish.
[Proverbs 10:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. 3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. 4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. 5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. 6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.]
Think about it, no matter how old we get, we will always be our mother’s babies, so imagine how heavy their hearts get when we struggle. [Famish; To kill by deprivation or denial of any thing necessary for life.] Some of God’s faithful are the poorest people in the world, but they are rich beyond measure because they have the one thing that no money can buy and that is their salvation through Christ. Jesus, said this, [Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.]
What exactly are the treasures of heaven? Eternal life with Christ, streets of gold, crystal rivers, an abundance of food, not to mention, no more sickness, pain, or death, [Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.]
Thinking about the memory of the just reminds me of those whom have their name written in the Book of life, and it does not matter how much we worked or how well known we are here on earth, unless our name is in that book we will be as the wicked and it will be more than our name that will rot.
[Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.]
The wicked think of death as an end, but there is no end to death, it is an eternity in the lake of fire. When our body gives out and our soul is released from it it will go to one of two places, heaven or hell, and if our names are not written in the Book of Life then hell and later the lake of fire will be its home. The wicked actually want what we have, but refuse to obtain it because they are void of understanding.
[Proverbs 10:8-13 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. 9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. 10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. 11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 12 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.]
Some of the richest people in the world are the most ungrateful and void of understanding that their riches will get them nowhere.. Their poverty is holding on to their wealth when they could be using it to help those in need.
[Proverbs 10:15-22 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. 17 He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. 18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.]
This reminds me of the parable that Jesus spoke, [Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.]
The ones who are void of understanding are the ones who crucified Jesus, who set fire to buildings, who destroy Tesla’s, and threaten to kill people who are of a different color or religion. The ones who void of understanding are also the ones crying for handouts, but are too lazy to work. Let me tell you, we might have to face some hell on earth as Christians, but it will be nothing compared to what wicked will face.
[Proverbs 10:25-30 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. 26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. 27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 29 The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.]
That everlasting foundation of the righteous is none other than Jesus Christ Himself and as long as we are standing upon His foundation everything else around us can crumble, but we will be safe, [1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.]
Christ’s faithful may not be scholars, but those who choose Him over the world are wise enough to know that without Him there is no life. Those who are just going through the motions will get caught up in the earthly blessing and when losses come they bolt, which is why His faithful are often put through the fire. If we can endure the fire through Christ then we have been found faithful.
[Proverbs 11:1-7 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. 2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.]
Now, we all have our ups and downs in the level of our faith, but you either trust God and live your life in a way that reflects that or you live in the world, we cannot have it both ways. Jesus, will save any soul, the only thing needed for Him to do that is to admit your are a sinner, and that hell is the punishment for sin, believe that He died to save their from hell, then confess to Him that you need Him. No one can force Him, no one can threaten Him, and no one certainly bribe Him, and those who try to will die in their own sin.
[Proverbs 11:9-15 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. 10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.]
Boy, is this not the truth! How many times do we see riots and violence over some thug who was killed? The shouting toward those of another over color, race, faith, or gender identification has nothing to do with grief or even vengeance over someone who was treated inhumanely, it is over the fact that someone wicked finally got caught up with. Somewhere over the years society has lost their morals, in fact, there is no such thing as integrity anymore, it is all about feeding the lusts of the flesh as fast as they can, without having a conscious to convict them of their actions.
[Proverbs 11:17-21,24 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. 20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight. 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. 24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.]
[Froward; Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required.] Is it all starting to make sense now? It is an abomination to God to be reluctant or unwilling to do what is required of Him, above all is receiving Christ. God, will give us everything we need, and provide for us though hardships and even more, but at some point we need to make an effort to come out of the hardships and it is not all about giving to everyone on the streets either.
[Proverbs 11:26-31 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. 27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.]
While we are blessed when we give, we are just as blessed to sell what we have. This means that not everything is free, we need to work, we need to run houses, we need to run businesses, we need to get jobs, or we simply do not eat, [2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.]
Busybody, that is the keyword right there, if everyone was more concerned about what they have going on then what others are doing then they would get more work done. Now, with that said, we must also not be so quick to dismiss what is often called constructive criticism. I know this is hard, but sometimes we do need to be told point blank that something we are doing needs to be stopped or taken care of.
[Proverbs 12:1-7 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. 2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. 3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. 6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.]
Jesus, calls constructive criticism righteous judgment, and it is something that we all need to practice, [John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.]
You see, we are often our biggest deterrent because we attempt to try to work through our struggles ourselves instead of giving it all to Jesus and letting Him show us what to do. For instance, when I took this job I had pretty decent job, but feared being fired for being out of work for so long that I quit it when this job was offered. Had I just stuck it out I would not be struggling so much, but now all I can do is let God lead me. It is actually instances like this that God teaches us that we need Him at all times. It also teaches us how to love like Jesus loves and trust God when things are out of our control.
[Proverbs 12:9-14 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. 10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. 12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. 14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.]
Pride, will do more than lead someone to a fall, it will literally impoverish them as no one wants to deal with arrogant people. Those who lie, cheat, and steal their way to get the things they want truly are void of understanding, they are lazy and proud, yet want everything for doing absolutely nothing at all. However, those who are diligent and walk with Christ, work hard, and I do not mean physically, they make an effort to get the things they want honestly.
[Proverbs 12:15-21 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. 17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. 18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. 19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.]
There will be many who will frown upon the words that no evil happens to the just, but there are two kinds of evil, natural evils like sickness and death, and wick evil, which comes from Satan. Jesus said it this way, [Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.] We can look at this in one of two ways, we can either fear Jesus who has the keys to death and hell or we can fear Satan who seeks only to destroy the souls of those God brought here to earth, [Revelation 1:17-18 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.]
Look at it this way, Jesus, suffered and died the most horrific and painful death that anyone could ever suffer, but three days later He arose and is alive today. We are but flesh, but our souls are eternal, and the same thing will happen to every saved, born again Christian, [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for making it simple to be saved from hell and the second death, I know that as long as I do things Your way I will be blessed, and will not suffer as much. Keep me in Your Word to learn and understand how to use the knowledge You gave me to not only please You, but bring others to You as well. Lord, put Your hedge of protection around us, touch and heal our minds, bodies, and spirits, and give us the grace to withstand what You will not remove and let us not become slothful in our walk with You. Let everything we do bring honor and glory to You. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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