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.