Proverbs for leaders of nations

The Book of Proverbs Chapter 25
(Please read the entire chapter of lovely Proverbs. I will comment on a few with the help of my NLT Bible notes. Many of these proverbs deal with wisdom for kings and rulers and for those who aspire to become leaders.)

Verse 13: Faithful messengers are as refreshing as snow in the heat of summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. (It's hard to find good people to trust. A faithful messenger (Employee) is punctual, responsible, honest and hard working. This employee is invaluable and takes much of the pressure off his employer.)

Verse 14: A person who doesn't give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don't bring rain. (Our religious institutions depend on gifts from people to keep their ministries going. Many who promise to give, fail to follow through. If you make a pledge, keep your promise.)

Verse 18: Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. (Lying is vicious and its effects can be as permanent as those of a sword. Next time you are tempted to lie or pass gossip, imagine yourself wounding the victim of your remarks with a sword. This image may shock you into silence.)

Verse 28: A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls. ( Self control limits us, but it is necessary . An out-of- control life is open to all sorts of attacks by the enemy. Think of self-control as a wall for defense and protection.)

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? This chapter gives advice to leaders as well as to those who hope to become leaders. It tells us how to behave in situations. Hezekiah was one of the few kings of Judah who honored the Lord. He restored the Temple and earned the respect of other nations. He had these proverbs copied and read. He sought his God wholeheartedly and was very successful. I hope you will consider the way these proverbs teach you to live and continue to teach you each day.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.
Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.
Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.
Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. And her sister Wanda who is having risky surgery.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and for the doctors who have difficulty diagnosing his other symptoms.
Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.
Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.