One-A-Day 1

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This is the first post in a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 1
Questions for Reflection:

1. What is the purpose of Proverbs? (1:2-6)
2. Proverbs deals with wisdom on three different levels. Practical knowledge which gives us prudence, discernment (between temporal and eternal) which leads to discretion and understanding, and prophetic insight which reveals the path of righteousness. Soberly assess where you are in your walk with Wisdom.
3. In what way does Wisdom encompass knowledge, discernment, and insight? Where does wisdom come from and how do we personally gain godly wisdom?
4. How does insight (revealed ways and purposes of God- i.e. ‘God’s Will’) affect our daily lives? How do we “get” insight?
5. What does Wisdom promise? (1:33, 2:5-9)

One-A-Day 2

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 2
Questions for Reflection:

1. What is your understanding of reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord? Ask the Lord for fresh insight on Prov. 1:7. 
2. What does fear of the Lord cause us to do?
3. What role does obedience play in gaining wisdom?
4. What role does wisdom play in knowing God?
5. What is eternal life according to John 17:3?

One-A-Day 3

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 3
Questions for Reflection:

1. What is the purpose of God’s law and commandments? (3:2) Why should we listen to Wisdom? (3:13-26, 35)
2. Hebrews 8:10 (NIV) says, “This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Why is this good news? What does this tell you about the role of the conscience in a child of God?
3. Charles Spurgeon wrote of the new covenant, “I will with my Spirit graciously operate upon their minds and their hearts, and so I will sweetly influence them to serve me, and they love me and they feel it to be their delight to walk in the way of my commandments.” (Sermon, Feb. 28, 1897) How and why do we obey God in this age, under the new covenant of grace?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in Christian obedience?
5. In what ways does the Lord discipline us? How might suffering or trials play a role in the Lord’s discipline? Why does the Lord allow suffering? (3:11-12)

One-A-Day 4

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 4
Questions for Reflection:

1. How does Wisdom lead to understanding in your own life?
2. How does understanding enrich your daily life? Think about personal experiences with Wisdom and how that caused you to react differently.
3. Who reveals true wisdom to each of us personally? Do you seek Wisdom every day? How?
4. Proverbs talks about wisdom as comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God. Do you believe you can have this type of supernatural wisdom in your everyday life? How has insight affected your personal life? 
5. Spend a few minutes quieting yourself and practice listening to the Holy Spirit.

One-A-Day 5

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 5
Questions for Reflection:

1. In what way is hedonism (seeking to please and satisfy the flesh) like the way of the adulteress described in Chapter 5? Ask the Lord to increase your discernment to see the difference between flesh and spirit.
2. Since God is Spirit, it is in our spirit (the inner man) where we experience fellowship with Him. Ask the Lord to remove any fear which inhibits our ability to experience His Presence. Practice connecting in spirit to God the Spirit. Relax and allow the Holy Spirit to flood your senses!

One-A-Day 6

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 6
Questions for Reflection:

1. In Proverbs, Wisdom is presented as a person. In what way is this person like the Holy Spirit?
2. What does it mean to live life in the Spirit (Rom. 8) as it relates to Wisdom of Proverbs?
3. How does obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit bring understanding? Try it and see for yourself! Journal your experience.
4. Proverbs repeatedly says obedience to God’s commands brings life. What life is this referring to? How have you experienced this?
5. A child of God doesn’t follow the law because he has to, he follows because he gets to! Read and consider Rom. 8:1-2.

One-A-Day 7

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 7
Questions for Reflection:

1. If Wisdom is the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is in us and with us all the time, how does this change your perspective about seeking Wisdom?
2. What is your greatest temptation?
3. How do we overcome the persuasive words and justification of the Temptress? (This could be an internal or external voice in your life.)
4. Much like the young man seduced in the night, temptation often comes with a spiritual denseness or darkness. How do we break through to the light?
5. Meditate on Proverbs 7:22-23. In what way does sin cost us our life? In the light of God’s eternal forgiveness, why is repentance so important to our life here and now?

One-A-Day 8

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 8
Questions for Reflection:

1. What is the antidote to temptation? 
2. Ask God for divine wisdom and understanding regarding your personal temptations. Open your heart to His quiet whisper and live by His words.
3. What are the true riches in verse 21 and how do they affect our lives today?
4. Consider that Wisdom may be the Holy Spirit as described in Prov. 8:22-31. Is the Holy Spirit your master, director, and daily delight?
5. What does Wisdom say we will be if we listen to her? (8:34-35) Could this be considered part of our eternal reward?

One-A-Day 9

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 9
Questions for Reflection:

1. Are you open and teachable like the wise man? (9:4-9) Ask the Lord to reveal the condition of your heart.
2. Is there a good kind of fear? (9:10) What is the difference between fear of the Lord and fear of death/punishment?
3. What happens to our fear as we obey the Lord? Follow the progression mentioned in vs. 10 and 11 from fear to eternal life.
4. We work to please those whom we fear. Are you a man-pleaser or a God-pleaser? One leads to death and disappointment and the other leads to true life. Ponder these things and allow the Spirit to reveal the truth about your motivations.
5. If fear prompts obedience, and obedience leads to understanding, what happens to our fear as we gain Wisdom? (See 1 John 4:18)

One-A-Day 10

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 10
Questions for Reflection:

1. The Amplified Version says, “a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.” (10:1) What does self-confident mean in this verse and how is it foolish? What does this tell us about our relationship with God? Where does our confidence belong?
2. From a spiritual perspective, what does it mean “righteousness delivers from death?” (10:2) What does righteousness look like and how is it accomplished in your life? (1 Cor. 1:30)
3. Do you believe the Lord is correcting you? In what ways can you see the discipline of the Lord in your life?
4. The Message says, “The wage of a good person is exuberant life,” (10:16) and “the road to life is a disciplined life.” (10:17) Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Write down any ideas sparked by these verses.
5. Verse 19 in the NLT says, “Too much talk leads to sin.” How have you seen this in your own life?

One-A-Day 11

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 11
Questions for Reflection:

1. Consider this definition of humble (Prov. 11:2): Those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self.  Again consider your trials, God's discipline, and where your confidence resides.
2. Have you considered that sometimes the Lord frustrates our plans when our desires are not of him? How does this change your perspective of determination? Read Numbers 22:21-39 for additional insight. Ask the Lord for discernment to determine when it is His Spirit standing in your way or the spirit of the world frustrating God's plan.
3. As you read Proverbs 11, turn each bit of advise into your personal prayer. Read it in different versions and let the Lord highlight His message to you.

One-A-Day 12

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 12
Questions for Reflection:

1. A major theme in Proverbs is discipline. How does discipline translate into wisdom and true life?
2. Proverbs 12:28 says the way of righteousness brings (abundant, rich, full) life, and this life is eternal. Remembering that righteousness comes to us by faith alone (Rom 1:7), what is the way (path) of righteousness?
3. Could it be that the path of righteousness is for us, and not something we do for God? What does it mean, “The righteous will live by faith?” Ask the Lord to reveal this to you.
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the path of righteousness? Consider obedience to the Holy Spirit as a lifestyle and how that might relate to the path of righteousness in Proverbs.
5. Are you one who listens to wise council? Ask the Lord to reveal this plainly to you.

One-A-Day 13

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 13
Questions for Reflection:

1. When our hope is in the Lord, what is the result according to Proverbs 13:12? Ponder what (true) life, satisfaction, and fulfillment looks like in everyday life in this broken world.
2. How does our preconceptions shape our experience and abundant life? Ask the Lord to filter your thoughts and purify your perceptions. Surrender your mind completely to Christ and ask Him to reveal any error. Write down your thoughts.
3. Prudence avoids the snares of death. (Prov. 13:14) When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, we are able to perceive danger before it manifests (this is insight!). Ask the Lord to increase your sensitivity to His Spirit in everyday life.
4. Ponder the Lords’s discipline in your life. It may be that illness, difficulty, or boundary is actually protecting you from greater evil! (Prov. 13:18) Let the Lord reveal this to you personally.

One-A-Day 14

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 14
Questions for Reflection: (Note: these questions are going deeper and deeper. It is ok to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you through one question instead of trying to tackle all of them!)

1. When Proverbs talks about the foolish, it refers to those who are rebellious in heart and especially those who rebel against God and His law (daily commands). Human nature is rebellious. Let God speak to you about the nature of your heart.
2. Sometimes our attitude blinds and deafens us to Wisdom. Talk to the Lord about something that is bothering you. Let Him minister to your heart. Write down what He reveals.
3. Meditate on Proverbs 14:12-13. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to His spiritual perspective. Ask Him to give you the discernment to see between God’s way and the way that seems right. Open your mind and allow Him to show you a new perspective. Surrender your thoughts and let Him surprise you.
4. Proverbs 14 has a lot to say about understanding (discernment). Jot down the fruit of an understanding person. Consider how these flow naturally from an understanding heart, and not something forced by will in the flesh. (For example, patience which comes from revealed understanding about the situation verses patience by willful suppression of anger.)
5. The external law directs the path (truth). Wisdom seeks to influence from the inside out (spirit). Why is this a great relief? How have you experienced both? (John 4:24)

One-A-Day 15

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 15
Questions for Reflection: (Note: these questions are going deeper and deeper. It is ok to allow the Holy Spirit to work in you through one question instead of trying to tackle all of them!)

1. Stay on this thought until you understand the personal nature of this message as revealed by the Holy Spirit: “All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].” (Prov. 15:15 AMP) Practice giving thanks, out loud!
2. Are you one who likes to skim the surface with fast-food and get-rich-quick schemes? Are you satisfied with spoon-fed knowledge without understanding? What does Proverbs 15 say about the steps of the wise? Make Hebrews 5:14 your prayer.
3. Is it worth it to seek the depth of Wisdom and meaning in life? What does chapter 15 say about earthly riches vs. God’s gift of love and joy? Do your priorities reflect this belief?
4. The scoffer, scorner, and foolish all have a proud, “know-it-all” attitude. Practice daily surrender in the area of humility, asking the Lord to give you an open, teachable heart.

One-A-Day 16

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 16
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Why doesn’t the Lord force us to do His will? What is the Lord most interested in regarding our heart?
2. If Wisdom seeks to influence our thoughts and purposes, what happens to our will and actions as a result?
3. Proverbs 16:4 in the Message Version says, “God made everything with a place and purpose.” What does this say about you?
4. Do you believe God’s will is good? If His will is unclear to you, pray and seek the Lord.
5. How is daily obedience to the Holy Spirit connected God’s will?
6. With this understanding, what does the path of righteousness look like in everyday life? Is God most concerned about our acts, or our relationship to Him through the Spirit? Allow God to cleanse your perspective of “doing” His will.

One-A-Day 17

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 17
Questions for Reflection: 

1. A contentious spirit creates a household of strife. Allow the Lord to test your heart and reveal if a contentious spirit is breaking your home.
2. What choice does Prov. 17:9 say we have regarding offenses? What choice does verse 14 say we have regarding quarrels? Are you one to let things go in order to avoid a fight, even when you think you are right?
3. Today we use phrases like “high horse”, “soap box”, or “rant” to describe someone who stands in judgement of those around him. How is that like the “high gate” described in verse 19? What does Proverbs say about such a person?
4. Which is better according to Proverbs, to seek peace by holding your tongue, or to set the record straight and (possibly) start a fight? Is this a popular viewpoint?
5. Let verse 28 sink deep into your soul. 

One-A-Day 18

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 18
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Prov. 18:2 (NIV) says, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” What would our culture look like if we sought to understand one another? How does this verse speak to you personally? Jot down what the Lord is saying to you.
2. Contempt is the feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn. Consider verse 3 and 12. Let the Lord minister to and correct your heart. Embrace His love and allow Him to heal you with His Word.
3. If the power of life and death are in the tongue (vs. 21), what do your words say about you? Consider Prov. 14:1. Do your words build up others, or tear them down? (Especially when you are angry or offended) Remember our words are an overflow of what is in our heart. Continue to open your heart to the healing touch of the Lord.

One-A-Day 19

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 19
Questions for Reflection: 

1. The world tells us to make our dreams happen, to make our own luck. In essence, it is a plea to make good things happen in the flesh, in our own power. The Amplified Version of Prov. 19:2 says, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and to be overhasty is to sin and miss the mark.” What does this tell you about God’s way?
2. What does verse 21 say about our endeavors? Is it our job to “make” what we believe to be God’s will happen in life? Knowing verse 21, what does that say about our daily worries?
3. Reread Prov. 18:10. Consider Prov. 19:23. Reflect on the awesome reality: Fear of the Lord banishes all fear. What would your life look like if you were to walk in perfect peace?
4. Ask the Lord to teach you how to live daily in Christ, according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Let this truth become a reality in your life.

One-A-Day 20

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 20
Questions for Reflection: 

1. When the Lord judges us, it is for the purpose of winnowing (Prov. 20:8), or removal of evil. Why is this such good news? Consider what happens to gold in the refiner’s fire. (Malachi 3:3)
2. What is the purpose of God’s judgement? (Prov. 20:9) Who makes us pure? (1 John 1:9)  Why?
3. How do you respond when someone corrects you? Is there any condemnation when the Lord is correcting you? (Rom. 8:1)
4. A popular saying is that (only) God knows the motives in people’s heart. Consider Prov. 20:27 and 1 Cor. 2:16. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your soul and shed light on your inmost being. Let His loving-kindness bathe you in forgiveness and love. Allow His gentle touch to purify your motives.
5. Verse 24 asks a question. Allow the Holy Spirit to answer and jot down your ideas.

One-A-Day 21

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 21
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Consider your days. Are you like a stream, open and flowing, able to be directed by the Lord in every moment (Prov. 21:1)? Or are you more like a steam roller? Or perhaps you are so timid, scared, or confused that you sit on the shelf like a rag doll? Let the Lord’s perspective tend to your heart.
2. Consider a past argument in which you believe you were “right.” Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart and speak to you about it’s condition. (Prov. 21:2) Humble yourself to hear His gracious and kind words. 
3. Considering Prov. 21:9, is your inner disposition a gentle and quiet spirit? (1 Peter 3:4) Ask the Lord to to renew, restore, and make your spirit precious in His sight.
4. When a child is young, he is told not to touch the stove. If he is an obedient child, he doesn’t touch simply because he was told not too. As the child matures, he understands what hot means and naturally doesn’t touch the stove. As he continues to gain insight, he realizes it’s not just that stove, but all stoves, and in the future he naturally avoids not only stoves, but anything that feels very hot. How is this like our walk with Wisdom?
5. Ask the Lord for more of His insight in your life.

One-A-Day 22

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 22
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Considering Proverbs 22:3, can you see how your own foolishness may cause some of your suffering? How does this motivate you to seek Wisdom in the future? Simmer in the goodness of the promise in verse 4.
2. Consider Proverbs 22:6 (AMP): “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.” How do we know “individual gift or bent” in the (spiritual) children God has entrusted to us? Is this part of discernment (insight)? Ponder how powerful and deep Wisdom is in our lives and the lives around us. 
3. If pride and arrogance fuels the “scoffer”, what power does our own humility have in relationships according to Prov. 22:10?
4. So much parenting wisdom comes from Solomon. What does Solomon reveal is the purpose of his instruction? (Prov. 22:19) What does this tell us about the Lord’s instruction and discipline? What is God interested in building in us?

One-A-Day 23

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 23
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Proverbs 23:6-8 warns against taking food from a stingy person. How can we find the blessing of a “bountiful eye”? (Prov. 22:9 AMP)
2. Considering the many (different) ways the Father disciplines His children, and knowing His discipline is designed to foster trust, is the point of Prov. 23:13-14 (necessarily) about method?
3. Consider the warning in Prov. 23:29-35. Anytime we run to something temporal for relief we only find that we need more (vs. 35). Who should we go to for true healing and satisfaction? How does God heal us? Ask Him to be your Counselor.
4. Does any saying in Prov. 23 stand out to you? Ask the Lord what He wants to communicate to you through His Word.

One-A-Day 24

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 24
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Proverbs consistently points to God’s priorities. Prov. 24: 3-4 talks about what is necessary to build a home. In your daily life, what do you think about most? How might the Holy Spirit desire to help you?
2. Knowing our own strength is limited (Prov. 24:10), how do we find our strength in the Lord not only in times of adversity but in everyday life? How has your experience with the Holy Spirit taught you this? Do you live like this as a lifestyle? Ask the Lord to show you if you do not know how.
3. Not only does the Lord’s insight reveal the (hidden) path of the righteous, but through the Lord’s perspective we see where that path leads. How has the Lord ordered your steps to realize a God-inspired dream? How does realizing God orders our steps help us trust Him now?
4. How has Wisdom given you hope? (Prov. 24:14)
5. Prov. 24:23 warns against discrimination and partiality. How does insight (seeing people from God’s perspective) aid this? (1 Sam. 16:7)
6. Do you allow the Lord to prioritize your day? (Prov. 24:27) Have you asked with the heart to obey and do you listen for His response?

One-A-Day 25

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 25
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Prov. 25:4 (ESV) says, “Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel.” Continue to allow God purify your heart and make you a vessel ready to be used!
2. Read Prov. 25:8 in the Message version, “Don’t jump to conclusions—there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.” Repent in God’s presence for the ways you have fallen short. Ask God to give you the insight to assume the best of those around you.
3. Pray for patience and discernment to be able to say the right thing at the right time with those whom God has entrusted you to. (Prov. 25:11)
4. Let these phrases minister to your heart, ask God to speak into your circumstances: long forbearance, patient persistence, calmness of spirit, and gentle speech. In what situation is God calling you to patiently persist with long forbearance? Where is He calling you to use gentle speech with a calmness of spirit?
5. Read Prov. 25:16-28 in the Message Version. Seriously. Funny stuff.

One-A-Day 26

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 26
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Prov. 25:11 (MSG) says, “The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry.” Consider this with Prov. 26:4-5. How does the wise person answer  the world’s foolishness?
2. Pride and rebellion go hand in hand and is foolish according to Proverbs. Pride is sneaky and informs us our way is best. It hides in knowledge and encourages self-righteousness. It urges SELF-confidence. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Pet. 5:6 NIV)
3. Human nature is drawn to contention. Think about current social media and how it “blows up” over things like politics, provocative news, and controversy. Meditate on Prov. 26:17. How do you respond to contention in your personal life, among family members? Do you jump in, perhaps fueling the fire (Prov. 26:20)? How can you be more wise in your dealings?
4. When we are under the stress of life’s difficulties, our faults often rise to the surface revealing the worst of our humanity. Consider Prov. 26:23 AMP (amplification removed): “Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver.” Thank God for the “scum” brought to light and allow Him to remove our “junk in the trunk” by repenting and allowing Him to show us a better way. There is also a warning in this verse. If we do not allow Him to draw off the dross, we may appear to be solid silver but be filled with impurities. Let’s not go there!

One-A-Day 27

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 27
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Considering Prov. 27:12 and 27:21, praise God for your trials and the removal of all that is base or insincere in your heart.
2. What is God teaching you through your difficulties?
3. Consider Prov. 27:19. What does your face say about your heart? Become aware of your countenance and what that says about the state of your heart.
4. Proverbs has a lot to say about friends. What is God speaking to you personally about your friendships?

One-A-Day 28

One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 28
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Given our current cultural backlash against what it perceives as judgement, how does Prov. 28:4-5 speak to you personally? If (worldly) men do not understand justice, what does that say about our culture’s definition of judgement? How can we exercise wisdom in our response to a rebellious nation? How does God minister to our own rebellious heart?
2. If we want an effective prayer life, what does verse 9 say we must first do?
3. If fear of the Lord leads to obedience, how is obedience connected to the blessed life (vs. 14)?
4. How has greed and pride clouded the American view of happiness, blessing and prosperity? Consider Prov. 28:25-27. Ask God to give you understanding of His heart for His people and clear vision for your life.

One-A-Day 29

This post is part of a series called One-A-Day: A Daily Dose of Wisdom.

*Read Proverbs 29
Questions for Reflection: 

1. Prov. 29:11 (ISV) says, “The fool vents all his feelings.” Popular psychology says to let your emotions vent so as to avoid “stuffing,” or ignoring your feelings in denial. The second part of the verse says, “a sage quietly mulls it over.” (Message Version) What does God want us to do with our (natural) emotions? What did David do with his emotions in the Psalms?
2. If discernment distinguishes between lies and truth, how does this aid us when surrounded by gossip? What does Prov. 29:12 suggest we do?
3. “Wise discipline imparts wisdom.” (Prov. 29:15 MSG) We cannot impart that which we do not have. What is the best way to teach wisdom to those around us?
4. Considering Solomon’s son and successor was Rehoboam, a morally depraved king who lead to the division of the kingdom after Solomon’s death, what insight does this give you regarding Solomon’s parenting advise? Why do you think he was so insistent on discipline? What does this chapter reveal about Solomon’s concerns regarding his son’s leadership?
5. If people can't see what God is doing, what does this cause? (Prov. 29:18) Ask God to open the eyes of your heart that you might see your life with spiritual vision.
6. Who’s opinion are you most concerned about, God’s or man’s? Ask God to reveal where you are more concerned about what people might think than obeying His Word.