Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 13
Thursday


THE HORSE
AND HIS BOY

READ:
Proverbs 16:18-25
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In the Narnia Chronicle The Horse and His Boy, Bree is a talking horse. He considers the boy, Shasta, a "foal" who is badly in need of training. Often the horse's arrogant opinions reflect an air of superiority. He thinks of himself as a brave warhorse, possessing great skill and courage. Yet, when he hears the roar of a great lion, he flees and leaves the other members of his party unprotected.

Later, Bree meets Aslan the lion, who is king of Narnia. The horse admits that he has been an arrogant and frightened failure. Aslan praises Bree for admitting his shortcomings.

The Bible tells us: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 16:18 ). Life has a way of exposing the flaws of our own personal vanity. But learning the hard lesson that "pride goes before destruction" can become a turning point in which we intentionally shift our focus away from exalting self. Then, as we adopt a humble spirit before God and man, we can become channels of wisdom to others. "When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom" (Prov. 11:2).

Promoting our own importance leads to stumbling. But focusing on glorifying God and meeting the needs of others gives us the perspective of the wise. __Dennis Fisher
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~Blessed Savior, make me humble,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Take away my sinful pride;~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In myself I'm sure to stumble,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~Help me stay close by Your side. __D. De Haan~~~~~~~~
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Pride brings shame.
Humility brings wisdom.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Proverbs 16:18-25**********

18 Pride goes before
destruction, and a haughty
spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be of a humble
spirit with the lowly, than to
divide the spoil with the
proud.

20 He who heeds the word
wisely will find good, and
whoever trusts in the LORD,
happy is he.

21 The wise in heart will be
called prudent, and
sweetness of the lips
increases learning.

22 Understanding is a
wellspring of life to him
who has it. But the
correctin of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise
teaches his mouth, and adds
learning to his lips.

25 There is a way that
seems right to a man, but its
end is the way of death.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The word translated "wellspring" in Proverbs 16:22 means
"prudence" or "insight." The root of the Hebrew word denotes "the
action of digging for water." Because Palestine was so arid, much
attention was devoted to acquiring sources of water. This term refers
both to the source of flowing water and the product of one's efforts.
Prudence, like a fountain of life, is refreshing, life-sustaining, and
inexhaustible. Biblical insights take effort to find, but once they are
acquired, they satisfy the soul. __HDF

[Mackenaw]

Amen