Reflecting God –
Embrace Holy Living - “Many Wise Counselors” – Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Scripture: Proverbs
4:1 Listen, sons, to a father’s instruction.
Pay attention and know understanding;
2 for I give you
sound learning.
Don’t forsake my law.
3 For I was a son to
my father,
tender and an only child in the sight of my
mother.
4 He taught me, and
said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words.
Keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom.
Get understanding.
Don’t forget, neither swerve from the words
of my mouth.
6 Don’t forsake her,
and she will preserve you.
Love her, and she will keep you.
7 Wisdom is supreme.
Get wisdom.
Yes, though it costs all your possessions,
get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and
she will exalt you.
She will bring you to honor, when you
embrace her.
9 She will give to
your head a garland of grace.
She will deliver a crown of splendor to
you.”
10 Listen, my son,
and receive my sayings.
The years of your life will be many.
11 I have taught you
in the way of wisdom.
I have led you in straight paths.
12 When you go, your
steps will not be hampered.
When you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take firm hold of
instruction.
Don’t let her go.
Keep her, for she is your life.
“Many Wise
Counselors” by Judith A. Schwanz
“Some assembly
required.” I looked at the small pile of nuts and bolts and all the large
plastic pieces spread across the floor. How in the world would all these pieces
fit together into a child’s “Big Wheel” tricycle? I searched for the
instruction sheet and followed each step carefully as my husband and I labored
to assemble this gift for their daughter.
If we can’t put
together a child’s toy without directions, why would we ever think we can live a
healthy Christian life without instructions? A wise person seeks out and
listens to the wisdom of others. We cannot (and should not) follow every voice
we hear, but we can ask God to help us discern which voices are wise, which
voices are speaking God’s truth into our lives, consistent with God’s Word and
teaching.
I thank God for the
many wise teachers in my life, past and present. Parents, grandparents,
teachers, trusted friends and colleagues have all provided godly counsel. Even
those who had died still serve as a source of wisdom today as I recall their
examples and words of advice. From whom are you receiving wisdom today?
Hymn for Today:
“Christ for the
World We Sing” by Samuel Wolcott
1. Christ for the
world we sing!
The world to Christ
we bring,
With loving zeal;
The poor, and them
that mourn,
The faint and
overborne,
Sin-sick and sorrow-worn,
Whom Christ doth
heal.
2. Christ for the
world we sing!
The world to Christ
we bring,
With fervent prayer;
The wayward and the
lost,
By restless passions
tossed,
Redeemed at
countless cost,
From dark despair.
3. Christ for the
world we sing!
The world to Christ
we bring,
With one accord;
With us the work to
share,
With us reproach to
dare,
With us the cross to
bear,
For Christ our Lord.
4. Christ for the
world we sing!
The world to Christ
we bring,
With joyful song;
The new-born souls,
whose days,
Reclaimed from
error's ways,
Inspired with hope
and praise,
To Christ belong.
Thought for Today:
“The mouth of the
righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart. None of
his steps shall slide.” (Psalm 37:30-31).
Prayer Needs:
For faculty and
students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Japan!
WordAction
Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing
Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO
64108 United States
Embrace holy
living…visit reflectinggod.com.
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