“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14 ESV)

I have a super successful business friend who has made millions of dollars in numerous business ventures. He says one of the big reasons he is so successful is because he takes much advantage of his business friendships. In fact, over the years he has amassed a vast contact list made up of many successful business men and woman who he utilizes for advice and counsel. Before he completes any project or venture, he runs it past them for input. He said their valuable counsel has saved him numerous times from making serious mistakes.

Plans fail for lack of counsel

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Prov. 15:22 NIV)

Wise guidance brings victory

“For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov. 24:6 ESV)

A wise man listens to advice

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Prov. 12:15 ESV)

You will gain wisdom for the future

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Prov. 19:20-21 ESV)

“For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20 ESV)

A few years ago a Christian friend got angry and swore at me over an issue we strongly disagreed about. I was shocked to hear what came out of his mouth and told him so. But he said he was justified because he was responding with “righteous indignation”. But, no matter what he chose to call it, his angry outburst of swearwords did NOT represent the righteousness of God!

Put away anger and obscene talk from your mouth

“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” (Col. 3:8 ESV)

A quick tempered man acts foolishly

“A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.” (Prov. 14:17 ESV)

A quick tempered man displays folly

“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” (Prov. 14:29 NIV)

A wise man holds back his temper

“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” (Prov. 29:11 ESV)

Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19 ESV)

Don’t let your anger give opportunity to the devil

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4:26-27 ESV)

Make no friendship with a man given to anger

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” (Prov. 22:24-25 ESV)

 “The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength.” (Prov. 24:5 NIV)

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31 NIV)

He gives strength and increases power

“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.” (Isa. 40:29 NASB)

You can do all things through Him who strengthens you

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

When Peter spoke to a lame beggar he made it clear that he did not have any silver or gold to give, but instead he had something much more valuable to him. He had healing in the Name of Jesus. He gave that to the beggar.

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” (Acts 3:6-10 NIV)

The Words of the Lord are like pure refined silver

“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6 ESV)

God will be your gold and choice silver to you

“Then the Almighty will be your gold And choice silver to you.” (Job 22:25 NASB)

Something to look forward to

“Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” (2 Peter 3:12-13 NASB)

The old heaven and earth pass away and are replaced

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.” (Rev. 21:1 NASB)

Righteousness will dwell there

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:18 NASB)

The former things will not be remembered

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.” (Is. 65.17 NASB)

There will no longer be any death, mourning, crying or pain

“And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."

Your offspring and name shall endure

“For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me," declares the LORD, "So your offspring and your name will endure.” (Is. 66:22 NASB)

Let us show gratitude to God with reverence and awe

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” (Heb. 12:28 NASB)

God raised Jesus up

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross.” (Acts 5:30 NASB)

You too, shall be raised up

“Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.” (1 Cor. 6:14 NASB)

His Spirit gives life to mortal bodies

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Rom. 8:11 NASB)

We are filled with a living hope

Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope (1 Peter 1:3)

In order that we may bear fruit for God

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” (Rom. 7:4 NASB)

“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thes. 3:10 NIV)

Lazy hands make for poverty

“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” (Prov. 10:4 NIV)

The hand of the diligent will rule

“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.” (Prov.12:24 ESV)

All hard work brings a profit

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” (Prov. 14:23 NIV)

Those who work their land will have abundant food

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” (Prov. 12:11 NIV)

Those who do not plow in season have nothing

“Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” (Prov. 20:4 NIV)

Anyone who does not provide for their household is worse than an unbeliever

“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8 NIV)

When will you get up from your sleep?

“How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” (Prov. 6:9-11 NIV)

Make the most of every opportunity

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:15-17 NIV)

And finally…

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8 NKJV)

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9 ESV)

Testing of your faith makes you steadfast

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 2:2-4 ESV)

Jesus strengthens you

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

He proves the way of escape

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV)

He will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1 ESV)

 “From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” (Prov. 12:14 NIV)

What you say and what you do are powerful tools you should use together.

What you say...

• Death and life - “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Prov. 18:21 ESV)

• Healing - “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Prov. 12:18 ESV)
• Health - “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Prov. 16:24 ESV)
• Good is produced - “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45 ESV)
• Stomach is satisfied - “From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.” (Prov. 18:20 ESV)
• Salvation – “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 ESV)

What you do…

• Work heartily for the Lord - “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 3:23 ESV)
• Receive back from the Lord - “Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” (Eph. 6:7-8 ESV)
• A model of good works - “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity...” (Titus 2:7 ESV)
• Skillful in work - “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” (Prov. 22:29 ESV)

Therefore, keep your tongue from evil and do good!

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalms 34:13-14 ESV)