Proverbs 18:1
“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.” In order to receive Wisdom we must not only ask, but we must also desire It. Our need enables us to pursue something, or rather Someone. The more we desire something, the more we are willing to do to receive it, even if that means forsaking something in the process. Anything that hinders our relationship with Wisdom must be forsaken. 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” Separation is usually intentional, but always for a purpose. It involves withdrawing from one thing and cling to another. Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” Paul was separated unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was unashamed to proclaim Him to the world, and his willingness to do so enabled us to have the Truth today. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” An evidence of Wisdom is to separate from anyone or anything that does not profit your relationship with the Lord, and unto Him. What are you separated from? What are you separated unto? Evaluate your separation today. Bible Reading: Micah 1-4 | 1 Peter 3 | Proverbs 21
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Proverbs 17:27-28
“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” More can be said with a few words than with a multitude of ramblings. We must choose our words wisely by yielding to Wisdom before we speak. Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” Some things are just simply better left unsaid. It has been said that we should believe everything we say, but no say everything we believe. This is because words can quickly and easily get us into trouble. Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Rather than pouring out all of our feelings, may we strive to study as we listen so that we can respond instead of reacting. Ecclesiastes 9:17 “The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.” In the quietness of His presence more can be heard than the loudest voice of man. Seek His still small voice through His Words today, Bible Reading: Jonah | 1 Peter 2 | Proverbs 20 Proverbs 17:23
“A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.” It is one thing to receive a gift, and quite another to take one. Bribery is just as wrong for the taker as it is for the one doing the bribing. No Wisdom, no integrity. Proverbs 17:24 “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.” A wise person sees what is before them in light of the Word of God hidden within their heart; yet a fool’s eyes are anywhere and everywhere except on what lies in front of them. No Wisdom, no direction. Proverbs 17:25-26 “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.” With foolishness comes sorrow. Where there is disappointment, there is no joy. No Wisdom, no satisfaction. The Holy Spirit enables us to discern between right and wrong. Without Him, we cannot navigate through the toils of life. Sadly, we can possess Him without yielding to His guidance. Romans 8:5-6 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” The absence of Wisdom is evident in our actions when we neglect to seek and yield to Him. Bible Reading: Obadiah | 1 Peter 1 | Proverbs 19 Proverbs 17:22
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” The medicine of joy and laughter is needful for our health. Our hearts can rejoice in what God has done for us, because He enables us to have unspeakable joy. 1 Peter 1:7-8 “…Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” Joyful Wisdom makes a difference. God has desires for His children to be cheerful; He knows how good it is for our hearts and souls. Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Joyful Wisdom allows us to serve Him with gladness. We have the choice to serve out of duty or desire. When we have joy in our hearts we will want to do all we can for our Saviour. Psalm 100:2 “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Joyful Wisdom puts a new song in our hearts to sing to Him. Singing that exalts the Lord can fill our hearts with joy and thankfulness. Ephesians 5:19-20 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” If you need Joyful Wisdom today, seek Him within the Scriptures. Our spiritual health depends on our desire for the Word of God. Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Bible Reading: Amos 7-9 | James 5 | Proverbs 18 Proverbs 17:18-21
“A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.” The voids of Wisdom within us affect us on multiple levels: What We Love Sin creates strife, which breeds confusion and evil. To love sin is to love confusion, of which God is not the Author. James 3:14-16 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” What We Promote Exalting or promoting ourselves can only lead to destruction. Promotion must come from the Lord, and not of our own accord. Psalm 75:6-7 “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” What We Seek Our desires come from what is within our hearts. The Word of God tells us many times that there is nothing good about us, so if we look to only ourselves we will be disappointed. Proverbs 11:20 “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.” What We Say The things we speak can get us into trouble quickly. Our words matter and affect both the state of our hearts and our relationships. Ecclesiastes 10:12 “The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.” Ask the Lord to fill the voids of Wisdom within your heart and life today. He alone can fulfill the void that we feel when we neglect to seek Him. Bible Reading: Amos 4-6 | James 4 | Proverbs 17 Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Adversity can build, strengthen or break a friendship. Anyone can be a friend when all is fun and games, but real friends appear or stick around when skies are gray. Good times and bad times. Sunshine and rain. Friends are loyal, trustworthy, faithful, and reliable. “A friend loveth at all times…” True friendship is a constant. It withstands a change of circumstance or location, willing to endure any storm. “…and a brother is born for adversity.” True friendship is revealed in adversity. It is in the midst of a trial, that the strength of our relationships is exposed. No selfishness, but willingness to sacrifice. Time spent is not a luxury, but a priority. Nothing is inconvenient, if it is needed. Friends should sharpen our relationship with the Lord. Friends should counsel and encourage us with the Word of God. Jesus Christ is our ultimate example of true friendship. He never changes. He is always available. He will never leave us or forsake us. Nothing can separate us from His love. Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” True friendship is built and strengthened by Wisdom. Bible Reading: Amos 1-3 | James 3 | Proverbs 16 Proverbs 17:15
“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” In the politically correct society we live in, we often strive not to offend those around us. Such a culture has created a tolerance for just about anything. Isaiah 5:20-21 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Tolerance is simply justifying sin and condemning that which is right. The Word of God clearly says that it is an abomination to the Lord to do so. He is disgusted when we justify what is wrong or make excuses for our sin. Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Are we willing to offend God in order not to offend someone else? What a high price to pay to be tolerant of those around us. Proverbs 17:16 “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?” Wisdom cannot be bought by money, but it does require sacrifice. Jesus paid the price for us to have Wisdom when He gave His life on Calvary. God simply wants us to ask Him for Wisdom. What a pity it is that we often fail to ask Him. James 1:5 “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.” He is never offended when we ask for more Wisdom. Bible Reading: Joel | James 2 | Proverbs 15 Proverbs 17:14
“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.” When we find ourselves at the beginning of a conflict, we soon feel the flood of strife surround us. As the waters rush around us we often realize our need of assistance for we are helpless on our own. Our Deliverer rescues us every time we call upon Him. Psalm 40:17 “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” The simplest answer is to avoid contention before it starts; however, our flesh often creates and attracts strife with both others and ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” We can resist strife and contention by saturating ourselves with the Word of God. The Truth of the Scriptures repels the waters of conflict to keep us from drowning, and rescues us when we find ourselves in deep waters. Bible Reading: Hosea 13-14 | James 1 | Proverbs 14 Proverbs 17:11
“An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.” Sin has a punishment; the payment must be paid. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” We can only avoid paying the debt ourselves by trusting in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. Proverbs 17:12 “Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.” The wrath of a fool should be avoided more than the fury of a protective momma bear of her children. Proverbs 17:13 “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.” We live in a society which calls evil good and good evil; therefore evil abounds. Psalm 38:20 “They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.” By seeking what is right through the Truth of the Word of God, we can avoid death by sin and receive eternal life by His grace. Romans 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Choose today to reject the things that can be avoided by Wisdom. Bible Reading: Hosea 10-12 | Hebrews 13 | Proverbs 13 Proverbs 17:10
“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” When we adhere to reproof and rebuke, we are wise as we correct our ways. Yet we are fools when even a hundred stripes have no affect on our behavior. The wise reproof of the Word of God is necessary for us to know what is right and which way we should go. How we handle such a reproof speaks of the state of our heart. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Some only hear reproof, never allowing it to reach the heart. When we read or hear the Word of God without allowing the Truth to affect our actions it is very unwise. James 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Allow God to rebuke and reproof your life through the Truth of His Word today. Bible Reading: Hosea 7-9 | Hebrews 12 | Proverbs 12 |
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