Proverbial Reflections

By Theodore D. Whitely Sr. PhD

This book along with all my writings is dedicated to my wife Rev. Dr. Betty J. Whitely who continues to encourage me to write and be a good writer. Thank God for her. Also, I want to dedicate this book to all my siblings and others who are related to us on both sides of the family. The book entitled, “Proverbial Reflections” is a devotional book that you can use every day primarily for your thoughts, prayers, and direction of life. The book of Proverbs from my own thoughts and learning tells me that this writing is classified with Job and Ecclesiastes as Hebrew Wisdom Literature. Some scholars or traditionalist attributes Proverbs to Solomon. Proverbs some say that perhaps Solomon wrote. Solomon was the wisest in which God gave him this gift. I will try not to be too scholarly in this reflective book. I will attempt to cover verse by verse devotions. Endowed by the Holy Spirit who knows if I will go to other verses as a devotion. After all the Holy Spirit is mysterious. I will let God use my mind, my thoughts, and the Holy Spirit within me with these devotional writings. I will attempt to cover the whole year. There are 365 days in the year, and a leap year makes 366 days. During these writings, I am dealing with tension. There is Covid-19 pandemic still going on, racial and political unrest, so many lives lost because of various reasons. I know that God can carry us through these trials and tribulations. This will be my second publication of a book that I have written. The scripture quotations that I will use are some translations that are public domain or used by permission. When it comes to moral behavior, human life, and righteous conduct, this is a reflection book that hopefully will be useful for you in your daily living. It is my prayer that it will help me too! Was the book of Proverbs primarily written for young people? Yes!! However, the book of Proverbs is applicable for all people whether you are young or at a mature age. I am excited already. I hope that that you will be excited too, as you read these verses coming from Proverbs and its reflections.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823013666

Theodore D. Whitely Sr. PhD

Our writer, Dr. Theodore D. Whitely, Sr. is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and a Pastor. Our writer is a Retired Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel in the Michigan Air National Guard. Our writer is a Professional Chaplain of the St. James College Seminary, the first online Seminary Our writer is married to the Rev. Dr. Betty J. Whitely who is also a retired Pastor of the United Methodist Church Both pastors love the Lord dearly and serve the Lord faithfully. They are serious to their Call-in Ministry Both of them have Church awards and civic awards. Both pastors have children and grandchildren. Dr. Whitely’s Academics are as follow. Two Bachelor’s Degree, one in Bible Studies &Religious Education from Trinity Bible College & Seminary Newburgh Indiana. Master of Divinity Degree Luther Rice Seminary Lithonia Georgia, Master of Divinity Degree Methodist Theological School Delaware Ohio, Honorary PHD IN Youth Services Southern Christian University of Red Rock Oklahoma, Doctor of Ministry Degree with Honors Logos University Jacksonville Florida, PHD Degree in African American Ministry Newburgh Theological Seminary Newburgh Indiana. Dr. Whitely made Whose Who magazine in 2005. Dr. Whitely’s first book entitled “African American Ministry Topics.” was published by the Author House Publishing Company 2019.

Book preview

© 2023 Theodore D. Whitely, Sr. PHD. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/06/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1426-7 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-1366-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023917061

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Introduction

January 1

January 2

January 3

January 4

January 5

January 6

January 7

January 8

January 9

January 10

January 11

January 12

January 13

January 14

January 15

January 16

January 17

January 18

January 19

January 20

January 21

January 22

January 23

January 24

January 25

January 26

January 27

January 28

January 29

January 30

January 31

February 1

February 2

February 3

February 4

February 5

February 6

February 7

February 8

February 9

February 10

February 11

February 12

February 13

February 14

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18

February 19

February 20

February 21

February 22

February 23

February 24

February 25

February 26

February 27

February 28

February 29 (For Leap Year)

March 1

March 2

March 3

March 4

March 5

March 6

March 7

March 8

March 9

March 10

March 11

March 12

March 13

March 14

March 15

March 16

March 17

March 18

March 19

March 20

March 21

March 22

March 23

March 24

March 25

March 26

March 27

March 28

March 29

March 30

March 31

April 1

April 2

April 3

April 4

April 5

April 6

April 7

April 8

April 9

April 10

April 11

April 12

April 13

April 14

April 15

April 16

April 17

April 18

April 19

April 20

April 21

April 22

April 23

April 24

April 25

April 26

April 27

April 28

April 29

April 30

May 1

May 2

May 3

May 4

May 5

May 6

May 7

May 8

May 9

May 10

May 11

May 12

May 13

May 14

May 15

May 16

May 17

May 18

May 19

May 20

May 21

May 22

May 23

May 24

May 25

May 26

May 27

May 28

May 29

May 30

May 31

June 1

June 2

June 3

June 4

June 5

June 6

June 7

June 8

June 9

June 10

June 11

June 12

June 13

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 17

June 18

June 19

June 20

June 21

June 22

June 23

June 24

June 25

June 26

June 27

June 28

June 29

June 30

July 1

July 2

July 3

July 4

July 5

July 6

July 7

July 8

July 9

July 10

July 11

July 12

July 13

July 14

July 15

July 16

July 17

July 18

July 19

July 20

July 21

July 22

July 23

July 24

July 25

July 26

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 30

July 31

August 1

August 2

August 3

August 4

August 5

August 6

August 7

August 8

August 9

August 10

August 11

August 12

August 13

August 14

August 15

August 16

August 17

August 18

August 19

August 20

August 21

August 22

August 23

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

August 28

August 29

August 30

August 31

September 1

September 2

September 3

September 4

September 5

September 6

September 7

September 8

September 9

September 10

September 11

September 12

September 13

September 14

September 15

September 16

September 17

September 18

September 19

September 20

September 21

September 22

September 23

September 24

September 25

September 26

September 27

September 28

September 29

September 30

October 1

October 2

October 3

October 4

October 5

October 6

October 7

October 8

October 9

October 10

October 11

October 12

October 13

October 14

October 15

October 16

October 17

October 18

October 19

October 20

October 21

October 22

October 23

October 24

October 25

October 26

October 27

October 28

October 29

October 30

October 31

November 1

November 2

November 3

November 4

November 5

November 6

November 7

November 8

November 9

November 10

November 11

November 12

November 13

November 14

November 15

November 16

November 17

November 18

November 19

November 20

November 21

November 22

November 23

November 24

November 25

November 26

November 27

November 28

November 29

November 30

December 1

December 2

December 3

December 4

December 5

December 6

December 7

December 8

December 9

December 10

December 11

December 12

December 13

December 14

December 15

December 16

December 17

December 18

December 19

December 20

December 21

December 22

December 23

December 24

December 25

December 26

December 27

December 28

December 29

December 30

December 31

Additional Proverb Verses

In this reflective book you will find scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible primarily from the King James Version (KJV) used by Public Domain and also the Matthew Henry Commentary no rights reserved. May be distributed freely. New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) no written permission. Revised Standard Version (RSV) no written permission. Amplified (AMP) no written permission. New International Version (NIV) no written permission. Good News Translation (GNT) no written permission. New American Standard (NAS) no written permission. New Living Translation (NLT) no written permission. Contemporary English Version (CEV) no written permission. English Standard Version (ESV) no written permission. Easy to Read Version (ERV) no written permission. New King James Version (NKJV) No written permission. Bible Gateway no written permission.

This book could primarily be used for everyday scripture quotations and devotions from the book of Proverbs. The book itself is a guide on how to live a godly life. Even though this book of proverbs is from ancient writings, but its message is still applicable today. I hope that you will enjoy the reading. There has been a lot of time and effort put into this book. It is my prayer that this book is good for students, seminarians, pastors, lay people and for all readers. This book could also be used as a Journal. This is my second book. My first book was entitled, African American Ministry Topics by the Author House Publishing Company in 2019.

This book is dedicated to my lovely wife Rev. Betty J. Whitely who was very patient with me that she allowed me to do this book when I could have spent more quantity time with her. Others I dedicate this book to all who are related to me one way or another. I don’t want to miss anybody.

To:

_______________________________________________

From:

_______________________________________________

Date:

_______________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

This is a devotional book that you can use every day primarily for your thoughts, prayers, and direction of life. The book of proverbs from my own thoughts and learning tells me that this writing is classified with Job and Ecclesiastes as Hebrew Wisdom Literature. Some scholars or traditionalist attributes Proverbs to Solomon. Proverbs some say that perhaps Solomon wrote. Solomon was the wisest man in which God gave him this gift. I will not try to be too scholarly in this reflective book. I will attempt to cover verse by verse devotions. Endowed by the Holy Spirit who knows if I will go to other verses as a devotion. After all the Holy Spirit is mysterious. I will let God use my mind, my thoughts, and the Spirit within me with these devotional writings. I will attempt to cover the whole year. There are 365 days in the year, and a leap year makes 366. During these writings I am dealing with Covid-19 pandemic going on, racial and political unrest, so many lives lost because of various reasons. I know that God can carry us through trials and tribulations. This will be my second publication of a book that I have written. The scripture quotations that I will use are some translations that are public domain or used by no written permission.

When it comes to moral behavior, human life, and righteous conduct this is a reflection book that hopefully will be useful for you in your daily living. It is my prayer that it will help me too! Was the book of Proverbs primarily written for young people? Yes!! However, the book of Proverbs is applicable for all people whether you are young or at a mature age. I am excited already. I hope that you will be excited too as you read these verses coming from Proverbs and its reflections. Proverbs has 31 chapters consisting of up to thirty- five wise sayings in each chapter that are two poetic lines long. I will not use the formula of two poetic lines, I will condense them to be reflections and note long narratives.

JANUARY 1

58188.png

1:1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: (NRSV)

Starting out the New Year we are introduced to Solomon the son of David, king of Israel. David is the King of Israel as he reined. However, his son comes along and later he is the king of Israel. King David had his ups and downs dealing with other nations coming against Israel. David was a great warrior, coming from the field of the Shepherd to be the King of Israel. As time goes on, he will have to give up this throne that he has. King Solomon comes along full of wisdom. Folk, the old year is gone, the new year enters with wisdom. We learn everyday even from a child we can learn from them. Let your New Year be refreshing.

JANUARY 2

58188.png

Prologue

1:2 For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight. (NRSV)

Each day brings us new learning. That in itself is true. What about wisdom? Wisdom comes from God