Proverbs 3: 27 & 28

Proverbs 3:27 & 28 speaks of the principle that is usually called the Golden Rule; to treat others the way that you would want them to treat you.

Proverbs 3: 27 & 28

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “ Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.

Verse 27 tells us that if we have the “power” or ability to do good to others… especially those who deserve to be treated well, then we should to that good. The Fruits of the Spirit like love, goodness, kindness, and gentleness should be shown to others: widows, orphans, and the poor or needy.

Verse 28 goes on to give an example of what Solomon was talking about. He says not to put someone off “until tomorrow” if you can do something today. I really need to take this to heart, because I sometimes do this very thing. I will see a need and tell myself that I really need to do something about that… maybe tomorrow, or “later,” but then I never seem to get around to doing it.

I have been trying to get into the habit, especially with prayer requests, to stop and pray right then, when I learn of the need and not just SAY, “I’ll pray for you…” or “I’ll keep that in prayer…” because so often I will get busy doing something else and forget.

God, in several places in His Word, spells out the principle of “living in the moment,” and not being a procrastinator. We are to give Him all of our cares, and not worry about “tomorrow…” We need to live one day at a time and take care of the needs of others that way, too.

Prayer Request...

I am sorry to take a break from the Bible Study, but we got a couple of shots of bad news today at Church, which I would ask prayer about.

The wife of one of the missionaries that our church has supported for MANY years (since my kids were little) was diagnosed with brain cancer the first part of last week and had surgery on Thurs. She is doing amazingly well, praise God, but we will be keeping them in our prayers, of course. Her husband, Marty, and others in their family (including Maxine at times) have traveled all over the world and brought thousands of people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through their evangelistic crusades. I know that has ticked off Satan and he is trying to attack, but I also know that God is greater.

She had a lemon-sized cancerous tumor behind her eye, which they were able to remove 70-80% of. Marty had just gotten home from Bangladesh. They are posting her condition on a website blog so that the MANY people who know and love them can keep up on her progress. If you have a prayer list at your fellowship, please include Marty and Maxine and their family, for as you know, when one in a family hurts, everyone does. We are expecting some mighty moves of the Lord in this situation, for these wonderful people and their 10 children and MANY grandchildren are all totally committed to God whatever His will may be.

The other couple are also very dear friends of ours. I worked with Nancy for many years at the school, and she and Howard are wonderful people. I didn’t know until today, that while I was gone, she had gotten very ill (she HAS had some major health problems the past couple of years… a bad heart and COPD with major breathing problems).


Anyway, Howard wasn’t there last week, so I just found out today that she is in Intensive Care in very critical condition on a ventilator. Howard was just about beside himself today… I’ve NEVER seen a couple that love each other so much (They are both in their late 70’s, early 80’s, and that little old guy is always so full of life and just about glows with joy usually, so it was awful to see the agony in his heart and soul just pour from his eyes) We are praying for strength and comfort for Howard, and that the Lord would touch Nancy’s doctor and give him wisdom in her treatment. We are also praying for peace that passes understanding for them both.

PS. I am learning so much while studying for this Bible Study, and I promise to try my best to get back to it tomorrow. Thank you so much… Linda