Proverbs 4

I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching! (4:2)

I made the personal addition of the exclamation because it's so true, right?! In Romans (the chapter that teaches us what it means to be Christian), it tells us that because God make us, His words and directions have been instilled in us. From our conscience to our sermon lessons- how can we turn our backs on the Word?

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (4:7)

What more could there be to help us in our daily tasks? Remember when Esther was called to choose among rubies and gold, but instead sought the wisdom of King Ahasuerus's harem caretaker, Hegai? How could she know what would please the king, she didn't even know the man! Instead she chose wisdom-Hegai's wisdom!

David taught the same to Solomon, and it is guaranteed to us in James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. (4:10)

More scripture...

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. (4:14,15)

The path of righteousness is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter til the full light of day. (4:18)

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. (:19)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspirng of life. (4:23)

Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.
(verses 24-27)

"If you want wisdom you must decide to go after it. It takes resolve- a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become." ¹

Make God's wisdom my 1st choice.

• Like Solomon
• James 1:5 (see above)
• Jame 1:6 "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
• AKA Have faith beyond understanding!

¹Life Application Bible, NIV: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991, pg 1078.

Proverbs 3

Proverbs Chapter 3 shares continued benefits of wisdom!

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." (verses 1,2)

Let love and faithfulness never leave you (3:3)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (3:5)

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (3:6)

Do not be wise in your own eyes (3:7)

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops (3:9)
[aka pay your tithes! and, not only pay them, but give your very best offering!]

"...do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke."(3:11)

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding (3:13)

She [wisdom and understanding] is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. (3:18)

...for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. (3:26)

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. (3:27)

...for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. (3:32)

(3:34) [He] gives grace to the humble.

Indeed! Wisdom leads us to blessings, but often on His perfect timing. So, we must "live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). See the reference below for further understanding!

The Person Who Has Wisdom:

Is loving
Is faithful
Trusts in the Lord
Puts God First
Turns away from evil
Knows right from wrong
Listens and learns
Does what is right

Benefits of Wisdom:

long, prosperous life
favor with God and people
reputation for good judgment
success
health, vitality
riches, honor, pleasure, peace
protection

*Reference taken from: Life Application Bible, NIV: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991, pg 1077.

Proverbs Chapt 2

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (2:1-5)

I love those verses of scripture. Continuing from chapter 1 is the need to find knowledge of life and living. There is great power and unyielding grace when this knowledge is sought after. Why wait? Let's seek and watch miracles bloom abundantly before our eyes!

For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of the faithful ones. (2:8) Amen!

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (2:10)

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (2:11)

For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. (2:21-22)

Wisdom protects us from the wicked and deceitful ways of the world. Knowledge is power!

Proverbs of Solomon, Chapter 1

What Psalms is to prayer and devotional life, Proverbs is to everyday life. Proverbs is used to impart wisdom so that we can live our lives in His reflection. Its author is Solomon son of David, king of Israel. Although his advice is directed towards youth (Chapters 1-9), all can benefit from his wisdom.

In Proverbs, there are focal themes:

• Wisdom
• Relationships
• Speech (words should be honest and well chosen)*
• Work
• Success (God views success as having a good reputation, moral character, and spiritual devotion to obey Him. A successful relationship with God counts for eternity. Everything else is perishable.)*
  

Some scriptures that stood out to me....

Proverbs 1:7- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This is a key verse for the book of Proverbs because it expresses the significance of gaining knowledge.

"Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it." (1:19) My study Bible states: Going after ill-gotten gain is one of Satan's surest traps. First, he plants the suggestion (possession or more money, etc), then the desire fans its fire into an obsession. Ask God to help you overcome/recognize these greedy desires.

"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (1:32-33)

Would you like to read the book of Proverbs, Chapter 1? Click here! Knowledge is power!

*Life Application Bible, NIV: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1991, pg 1071.

My Lent Project

"What are you giving up for Lent?"

Every year, around this time, this question pops up like clock-work. Lent is a time of sacrifice- 40 days to be exact. And, although some traditions allow a weekend break in fasting, I've always practiced restraint from Ash Wednesday until Easter morning. Although I do not practice Catholicism (I was raised on this faith), I do believe that this is a powerful way to strengthen my Christianity.

This year, however, I've decided to take a different approach to the term give. That is, I'm going to show my appreciation for Christ's sacrifice by sharing His word. Are you wondering where the sacrifice is? Well, how often do you share your faith with your close circle of friends? Now think, how often do you share your faith with the world. I'm not wearing jewelry representing Christ's sacrifice, I'm vocalizing it. I'm not texting scriptures, I'm posting them on social networks.

I am making my personal journey public. It's a test I'm both nervous and excited to succeed in.

With the recent Tsunami in Japan, and several other worldly conflicts in full swing, I know that there is a great need of faith. "Apart from faith, we have no hope in life." This is my Lent project- to give a part of me that is also yours.

So, what are you giving up for Lent?

Life Application Bible, NIV: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1991, pg 2025.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent