Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Using Our GPS in Life” – Ash Wednesday, 5 March 2014 – Scripture – Proverbs 1

Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Using Our GPS in Life” – Ash Wednesday, 5 March 2014 – Scripture – Proverbs 1: 1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

2 to know wisdom and instruction;

    to discern the words of understanding;

3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,

    in righteousness, justice, and equity;

4 to give prudence to the simple,

    knowledge and discretion to the young man:

5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;

    that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:

6 to understand a proverb, and parables,

    the words and riddles of the wise.

7 The fear of Yahweh[a] is the beginning of knowledge;

    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

8 My son, listen to your father’s instruction,

    and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:

9 for they will be a garland to grace your head,

    and chains around your neck.

10 My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.

11 If they say, “Come with us,

    Let’s lay in wait for blood;

    let’s lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;

12 let’s swallow them up alive like Sheol,[b]

    and whole, like those who go down into the pit.

13 We’ll find all valuable wealth.

    We’ll fill our houses with plunder.

14 You shall cast your lot among us.

    We’ll all have one purse.”

15 My son, don’t walk on the path with them.

    Keep your foot from their path,

16 for their feet run to evil.

    They hurry to shed blood.

17 For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

18 but these lay wait for their own blood.

    They lurk secretly for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain.

    It takes away the life of its owners.

Footnotes:

a. Proverbs 1:7 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered “LORD” (all caps) in other translations.

b. Proverbs 1:12 Sheol is the place of the dead.

“Using Our GPS in Life” by Michael Paugh

The famous basketball coach John Wooden said, “What counts, is what you learn after you know it all.” We all have times in our lives when we think we know it all. It might have been when you were a teenager, thinking you knew better than your parents. Or, it may have been at some period of your adult life. We have all been there. We read in Proverbs 1:5; “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” This is why the Lord gave us two ears and one mouth. As James (1:19) tells us, “Everyone should be quick to listen [and] slow to speak.”

God has given each of us a GPS to navigate through life. This guide, like the Global Positioning System we may use in our car to find our desired destination, is a reliable guide. It is called the Bible. It is God’s road map for us as well as God’s love letter. In it we can find wonderful gems that teach us how to live in peace and harmony with others. The secret to using this GPS system is found in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Today, as you pray, ask God to give you ears to listen and a heart to receive.

Hymn for Today:

“Then I Met Jesus” by Byron M. Carmony copyright 1936, renewed 1964 by Lillenas Publishing company. All rights reserved.

1. I wandered o’er life’s stormy road,

No hope in sight for me.

My eyes were blinded by my tears;

I could no shelter see.

Refrain:

Then I met Jesus, wonderful Friend!

He loved and saved me, love without end.

Now I am walking close by His side.

Storms may surround me; in Him I hide.

2. I tried the things that seemed a joy;

They did not satisfy.

So burdened was my heart with sin,

“O save me!” was my cry.

Refrain:

Then I met Jesus, wonderful Friend!

He loved and saved me, love without end.

Now I am walking close by His side.

Storms may surround me; in Him I hide.

3. I needed one to share my cares,

To lead when dark the way.

I prayed for one to take my hand

And guide me every day.

Refrain:

Then I met Jesus, wonderful Friend!

He loved and saved me, love without end.

Now I am walking close by His side.

Storms may surround me; in Him I hide.

Thought for Today:

“Wisdom allows us to see past our own eyebrows” (Michael G. VanZant).

Prayer Needs:

Developing Christian leaders in Chuuk!

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