Bible League: Living His Word The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.— Proverbs 13:14 NIV What does it mean to be wise? From the Christian perspective, a person is wise if they fear the Lord and acknowledge His will and ways. Indeed, the Bible says that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and it says that only fools despise His "wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). The wise acknowledge that this world is the Lord's and that His will and ways determine how it works. When one gets in line with the Lord and what He wants, then he is in line with the way the world actually works, and he will prosper. That's why the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life. The wise know how it is in the world. They know what it's all about. Their wisdom leads to life, not death. It leads to a life well-lived, not a life of hard knocks. Instead of making the costly mistakes of fools, the wise know the ways that will work and that will benefit. They know, for example, that "Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow" (Proverbs 13:11), and they know that "Where there is strife, there is pride" (Proverbs 13:10). Above all, they know the way of salvation; they know the way to redemption from sin and foolishness. Since the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, it follows that it is also an escape from the snares of death. The wise person that points someone to the way of life at the same time turns them from the way of death. It is a blessing to be wise, and you are blessed if you listen to the wise. God places wise people in our lives. Pay attention to them, treasure them, treasure what they tell you. Store it up in your heart and it will be to you a fountain of life. "Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded" (Proverbs 13:13). Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 7, 8, 9 Psalm 7 -- O Lord, my God, I take refuge in you NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 8 -- O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 9 -- I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 17:1-15 Acts 17 -- Paul at Thessalonica, Berea and Athens NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion But Jesus said, “You feed them.”“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there. Insight When the disciples expressed concern about where the crowd of thousands would eat, Jesus offered a surprising solution: “You feed them.” The disciples protested, focusing their attention on what they didn't have—food and money. Challenge Do you think God would ask you to do something that you and he together couldn't handle? Don't let your lack of resources blind you to seeing God's power. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Timothy 4:18 His heavenly kingdom.Yonder city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve him day and night in his temple. They never cease to fulfil the good pleasure of their King. They always "rest," so far as ease and freedom from care is concerned; and never "rest," in the sense of indolence or inactivity. Jerusalem the golden is the place of communion with all the people of God. We shall sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in eternal fellowship. We shall hold high converse with the noble host of the elect, all reigning with him who by his love and his potent arm has brought them safely home. We shall not sing solos, but in chorus shall we praise our King. Heaven is a place of victory realized. Whenever, Christian, thou hast achieved a victory over thy lusts--whenever after hard struggling, thou hast laid a temptation dead at thy feet--thou hast in that hour a foretaste of the joy that awaits thee when the Lord shall shortly tread Satan under thy feet, and thou shalt find thyself more than conqueror through him who hath loved thee. Paradise is a place of security. When you enjoy the full assurance of faith, you have the pledge of that glorious security which shall be yours when you are a perfect citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem. O my sweet home, Jerusalem, thou happy harbor of my soul! Thanks, even now, to him whose love hath taught me to long for thee; but louder thanks in eternity, when I shall possess thee. "My soul has tasted of the grapes, And now it longs to go Where my dear Lord his vineyard keeps And all the clusters grow. "Upon the true and living vine, My famish'd soul would feast, And banquet on the fruit divine, An everlasting guest." Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,Job 6:25 "How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? 2 Peter 3:1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. • For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Galatians 6:2,1 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. • Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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