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 Jude 1:1 Sanctified by God the Father."Sanctified in Christ Jesus." 1 Corinthians 1:2 "Through sanctification of the Spirit." 1 Peter 1:2 Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if he were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us. Daily Light on the Daily Path Exodus 33:14 And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."Deuteronomy 31:6,8 "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." • "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Hebrews 13:5,6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," • so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Psalm 31:15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. 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. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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