Gaining Wisdom for Life

Posted on February 6, 2018 by Mark Shields

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1

Solomon’s purpose in writing Proverbs is for gaining wisdom and instruction to handle situations in life. The audience is for all people; the young, the wise, those wanting guidance in decisions. The foundation of wisdom is built on fearing the Lord and being willing to be taught in order to gain knowledge.

Solomon warns against being enticed in the ways of sinners because ultimately bad things will happen to those who don’t listen to God. At times while noticing worldly success, it may seem that bad behavior pays off. In the long term though, they may crash and burn. Ultimately good things will happen to those who follow His way.

When a person ignores wisdom and hangs around those with wrong motives, they can only look to a future of hard times. Their friends of low character will turn on them. Throughout the Bible, we have a historical record of bad things happening to those that didn’t listen to God and a lot of good things happening to those that did.

In today’s world, we are sometimes hampered by information overload and too many choices. People can’t make decisions because they are given various conflicting directions from others or too many opinions. They listen to the wrong people instead of relying on the ONE who has the answers.

To receive this wisdom, set aside some time each day for Bible study and prayer. Gain lessons throughout life that can be applied to the situations faced.

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This day with You Lord, we know You are perfect in all Your ways. You are a great Father. Your Word is our guide to life. Lord … we are reading, studying, and are planning to follow Your way. We are growing Spiritually day by day. Thank You for Your truth and for others to grow with as we take on the challenges ahead. We now have the tools to go where we have never gone before. We want to grow in character and realize that every moment can be a building block as we step ahead higher and higher. Amen.

 

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Questions for Reflection for Study of Proverbs 1-6

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Mark Shields

I want to take this time to thank all of you my readers. I’ve found this blog to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study. We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing.

So far this year, the journey through God’s Word has taken us through the book of Romans. As the journey continues, I will turn to the book of Proverbs. This collection of writings urges conduct that expresses a person’s relationship with God in everyday situations.

The mission of this blog is to bring out ways to better apply God’s Word in our life at work, at home, and within our neighborhoods. The questions for reflection for the study of Proverbs 1-6 below will help bring out some thoughts and ideas over the next few weeks.

The Lord speaks to us in various ways – visions, dreams, and life’s circumstances; even advice from others. Most of all, God speaks through the Bible. Thus, the main purpose of this blog is to study His Word with the intent to gain wisdom that we may apply in our own lives and also help others along the journey.

The reading plan below will be used as I share over the next few posts. It’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Him as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day with Him amazing!

Questions for Reflection

Proverbs 1
What is Solomon’s purpose in writing Proverbs? What are the consequences of ignoring wisdom? What are the results of heeding wisdom? What are specific wisdom and instructions needed for today? How can you have this wisdom?

Proverbs 2
What is God’s part in gaining wisdom? What is your part in gaining wisdom?  What are the benefits of possessing wisdom? Why do you need wisdom today?

Proverbs 3
What are the results for those who keep wisdom’s commands? How is wisdom related to daily living? What are the effects of wisdom and discretion in your life? In what ways do they heal and refresh you?

Proverbs 4
What do you want most from life? In what ways does wisdom give you freedom? Why must the heart (In Hebrew, the intellectual, moral, and emotional faculties) be protected by wisdom?

Proverbs 5
Describe the adulteress. Why should you keep away from her? What are the personal and public results for the adulterer? What does Proverbs 5:15-21 reveal about God’s plan for sex and love?

Proverbs 6
What about ants can we learn? The Lord hates certain things in people. Are there any of these in your life and are there ways you can get rid of them? What are the consequences for the person who commits adultery?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God. 

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print. 
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Google Images.” Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=8IipWNPmOoPBmwHIpZ2ACQ&ved=0EKouCBcoAQ>.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

 

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Higher Power

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Mark Shields

This Sunday is the Super Bowl. The winning team receives the Lombardi trophy named after the great coach of the Green Bay Packers who said one time, “I firmly believe that a man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear is the moment when he works his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle –victorious”. This poem inspires the need for a process or game plan towards being victorious.

Mark Shields's avatarStep Ahead

The thing about sports
Is that aims are defined
Everyone on the team
Has their goal aligned.

In football, it’s
Getting the ball
Across the goal line
Before one does fall.

In sports and in life,
There are keys to success
And it all starts
By having a process.

Doing your best
At all times because
You are working
For the greatest cause.

Firmly believing
That your finest hour
Your greatest fulfillment
Is accepting the Higher Power.

Poem by Mark Shields – © 02-01-2018
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If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Mark Shields

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. – Proverbs 4:5

The post “Wisdom Multiplied” had some thoughts about being wise in what we read, what we see, and what we do. God’s wisdom, purpose, and mystery is all related since He knows everything, sees everything, and controls everything from beginning to end. What is written about in the Old Testament comes true in the New!

The challenge we face in a world that tries to discount the power of the gospel message is to remain faithful. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never let us down.

Try this: memorize scripture, think about your day; what good things did you experience and what bad things did you experience that provided a lesson for the future and a lesson to share and help others.

As in the song Dear Younger Me by MercyMe, gather lessons throughout life and strive to be wise.
 

 

Index of devotionals

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Wisdom Multiplied

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Mark Shields

In the passage Romans 16:17-27, Paul warns against people that cause divisions and put up obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned (v. 17). He said these people are serving themselves and not our Lord.

In other words, watch out for smooth talkers and deceivers serving their own appetites. Be wise in what you read, what you see, and what you do. Gather evidence of the mysterious living Christ and pass it on to others.

God’s wisdom, purpose, and mystery is all related since He knows everything, sees everything, and controls everything from beginning to end. What is written about in the Old Testament comes true in the New! There is strength in the gospel because the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit are working together and all believers are bound together using their individual strengths to serve others.

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This day with You God, we are on a firm foundation because of the strength of the Gospel message. We take in the lessons and apply them to life. We share from generation to generation so that wisdom is multiplied as the years go by. We gain wisdom through Your Word, the experiences we go through, and by passing this wisdom on to others. We demonstrate our gratefulness in our songs, in our prayers, and in our good deeds. Amen.

 

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