A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (December 31, 2015)
“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33, Amplified Bible)
For the next month or two we will be going through the Book of Proverbs. A large portion of this book was written by King Solomon who was considered one of the wisest men of all times. We all need wisdom, so this will be a great way to bring in the New Year of 2016 and we will start with Chapter 1 of Proverbs which counsels us on how to gain wisdom and who we should and should not be listening to.
1. The fear (trust, reverence, respect, honor, worship) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools (arrogant people) despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
2. A wise man will hear (and obey), and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: (Proverbs 1:5)
3. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: (Proverbs 1:8)4. My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not (Proverbs 1:10).
4. My son, walk not thou in the way with them: refrain thy foot from their path: (Proverbs 1:15)
5. Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Proverbs 1:23)
God’s ways are pretty simple. If we honor and respect God, we will study and search His word and listen to His counsel. Honoring our own parents is one of the first steps God uses to teach us submission to authority. It takes many of us years to realize that and sometimes, if our parents are not submitted to God, it may even be impossible. Unfortunately, that can distort our view of a loving Heavenly Father.
As we hear (and by implication do) His Word, we will increase our learning. The more we learn, the more we realize our lack of knowledge and the more we understand how important it is for us to have a multitude of Godly counselors around us. God realized this and that is why we have parents, teachers, friends, and the Church.
We all mess up! None of us are perfect and we will all fall short of the mark. God has that figured in the plan too. It is called repentance. If you are submitted to God and His Word you will know when you fall short. The Holy Ghost inside of you will let you know and God said He will be there to pick you up, dust you off, and give you proper instructions. That is what a true loving father does.
As we move into this brand New Year of 2016 let us all make a commitment to gain wisdom through the study and application of His Word. As He promised, it will bring peace to your life and keep you protected.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)
