GROWING WISE DAY BY DAY
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January 1 – Read Proverbs 1
v. 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
Proverbs 1:1-7 tells us the value of the book of Proverbs. With such great value, why don't people continually read it? Might it be that most have never heard of its value? No matter who you are, you can benefit from regularly reading this great book, the Book of Proverbs.
Here in verse three, we are given one of those areas of value. I like the values mentioned in this verse. What a great life it would be if we always did what was right. What a great life we would live if we always did what was just. What a great testimony we would have if we always did what was fair.
Learning to live this way requires knowledge, effort and choice. We need to know what is right, just and fair. We need to choose what is right, just and fair. We need to put forth the effort to do what is right, just and fair. Where do these qualities fit in your life?
Did your last action at work demonstrate these three qualities? Did your last encounter with your neighbors display these qualities? Did you do what was right, just and fair with your family last night? If not, spending time in Proverbs will help you make these qualities an integral part of your life. This is just one example of what receiving instructions in wise dealings will do for you.
Make a commitment to spend time daily in Proverbs and this devotional, and you will grow in wisdom one day at a time.
January 2 – Read Proverbs 2
v. 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
v. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Reading Proverbs 2 makes it clear that wisdom is not easily found. In order to get wisdom, you must search for it. In fact, a reading of verses 1-4 makes it clear that not everyone will even search for it. This is also seen by the number of times the word "if" is used in this passage. Wisdom does not just fall into our laps. So why would people who say that they want to be wise not do the searching required to get it?
In verse 6, God makes it clear that wisdom comes from Him. This is also seen in James 1. If you want wisdom, it begins with a relationship with God. In fact, once you have it, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (verse 5). Many people lack wisdom because they lack a relationship with God. Ask God for wisdom and search Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom, and the rest of the Bible for it. God is willing to give it, but like all good things, it does not come easily. It can be found, but it begins with God. The search for wisdom that does not include a relationship with God will fall short.
Are you in need of wisdom? Go to the God of wisdom.
January 3 -- Read Proverbs 3
v. 13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
What value is there is searching for wisdom? What value is there in reading and meditating on Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom, on a regular basis? Well, let’s make a list of wisdom’s value from Proverbs 3:
1. The one who finds wisdom is blessed. - verses 13 & 18
2. Wisdom is more valuable than silver, gold and rubies. - verses 4-15
3. Long life, riches and honor can come from wisdom. - verse 16
4. Both pleasantness and peace are rewards from gaining wisdom. - verse 17
Once realizing how precious wisdom is, one must keep in mind that wisdom begins with a right relationship with God, not just sitting down and reading a book (Proverbs 1:7). It is not just a matter of reading Proverbs, but of discovering the God who is presented in the Book of Proverbs and the rest of the Bible. It is not just reading Proverbs, but applying its truth to your life and growing in your relationship with the God of the Bible.
God desires to give you life and life to the fullest (John 10:10). Receive it from Him by placing your faith in the power of the person and work of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
If you have never received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, let today be the day. Put your trust in what He did on the cross to save you from your sin. It is the only way to a relationship with God (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).
Put your trust in Jesus Christ. It will be the WISEST thing you will ever do.
January 4 -- Read Proverbs 4
v. 23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.
In the Bible, the heart, mind, and soul all refer to the same thing, the inner you. The term "heart" is the one that seems to be most often used for who you are inside. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance.” Why? Because “from it flows the springs of life.” The thought is that we need to make sure that the “inner you” is where it should be. If the “inner you” is right, than the “outer you” will be where it should be.
Some people can hide the “inner you” and have a fake “outer you.” The Bible calls that hypocrisy. If you pollute the spring, the rest of you will be polluted. Make sure your heart is right with God!
The heart can certainly get messed up, as you can read in Matthew 15:19. The Bible warns us to keep our heart right, so these kinds of hearts should be avoided: a double heart (Psalm 12:2), an unclean heart (Psalms 51:10) a proud heart (Proverbs 21:4), a hard heart (Proverbs 28:14), and an unbelieving heart (Hebrews 3:12). Our desire should be to keep our heart pure before God (2 Timothy 2:22).
All of your actions proceed from your heart (Luke 6:45).
Make sure your heart is right with God and then keep it right with God through daily use of His Word.
January 5 – Read Proverbs 5
v. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
v. 19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated
always in her love.
You have heard of the “Love Chapter”, 1 Corinthians 13, and the “Faith Chapter”, Hebrews 11, but let me add a third one, the “Adultery Chapter”, Proverbs 5.
There are seven truths in this chapter that tell us how to avoid committing adultery. One of them is found in verses 15-20 and also in 1 Corinthians 7:1-5. It is to find satisfaction in your spouse. Certainly your spouse is not perfect, but neither are you. Your spouse is the one to whom you made a promise before God. Not only should you keep that promise, but do much more. You should seek to make the relationship with your spouse so strong, that no adulterous person would ever have any possibility of destroying your marriage.
We can all be tempted, but build into your life some hedges of protection against temptation. A strong marriage is a wonderful thing.
Don’t believe the lie that adultery is OK. It is not, and it will bring God’s judgment (1 Thessalonians 4; Ephesians 5). When you said, “I do” you made a commitment before God. It was a commitment, not only to stay married, but to build a strong, loving marriage. It was a commitment to love your spouse, not because she deserves it, but because of your promise to her and to God.
Build a strong marriage and don’t allow adultery to ruin it.
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About the Book
Ever wish you had more wisdom for the issues that force their way into your life? Ever wish you did not have to wait until tomorrow for the wisdom you need today? Ever wish you had a manual for living life? Wish no more! This devotional, from the Book of Wisdom (Proverbs), will help you daily to find such wisdom.
Imagine sitting at the feet of the wisest man who ever lived as he taught you how to live. Well, you don’t have to just imagine. You can sit at his feet. His name was Solomon and he taught his son from his wisdom. God made sure Solomon wrote this wisdom down and it was preserved for you and I. So, as we read Proverbs, it is like sitting down at his feet, and learning how to live wisely as life comes our way.
This devotional is unique, in that, it takes you through the entire Book of Proverbs every month. Each day’s thought coincides with the same chapter in Proverbs. Therefore, if it is the 10th day of the month, verses will be found from the tenth chapter of Proverbs. It is easy to follow, even if you miss a day.
Join me in Growing Wise Day by Day using this 365 day devotional. Gain the wisdom to make wise decisions as you handle life’s pressures and challenges. You will find that the topics are relevant to your life and practical for the issues you face. As you continue to learn these principles, and continue to put them into practice, you will find yourself Growing Wise Day by Day.
About the Author
Thomas J. Sica became a Christian as a teenager, in the 1970’s. In 1982, Tom graduated from Liberty University, was ordained, and started a church, which he still pastors more than thirty years later. He has been married for thirty-two years, and has two children and two grandchildren.