Proverbs 9:11, 12: You are only hurting yourself.

For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone. Proverbs 9:11, 12

Wise: restrain from acting in an evil manner, free from defect by the exercise of skill

Scoff: turn aside; speak indirectly; A primitive root; to make mouths at, i.e. To scoff; hence (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) to interpret, or intercede -ambassador.

"You are only hurting yourself." 

That fact is true when one ignores wisdom. Choosing to act against wisdom's advice doesn't hurt God in anyway. It doesn't diminish the face that God is God. It doesn't change His standard. Rather, it simply causes you grief and sadness. 

"You are only hurting yourself." 

Then why, when we know the consequences, do we continue to ignore wisdom? Simple. We are not diligent in seeking wisdom. We don't have a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). We think we know better.

"You are only hurting yourself." 

Be wise—free from defect by the exercise of skill. Practice begin wise. Develop "wisdom muscle". The more wisdom muscle one has, the stronger the ability to make the right choices and continue to grow in wisdom! 

The choice is very clear. Develop "wisdom muscle" and continue a life designed by God with His blessings. Or be an ambassador of foolishness as you make a mockery of God's wisdom. If you choose the latter, you are only hurting yourself—for God will remain Almighty God! 

Exercise Gratitude Repeatedly

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 67. Here is what I learned.

God! Let people thank and enjoy you.  Let all people thank and enjoy you. Psalm 67:5 (MSG)

God, the people should ·praise [thank] you; all people should ·praise [thank] you. Psalm 67:5 (EXB)

The repetition shows that this was the principal thought in the mind of the author of the psalm. It expresses an earnest - an intense - desire, that all nations should acknowledge God as the true God, and praise him for his mercies. Barnes' Notes on the Bible 

Let the people praise thee, O God! Having spoken of all nations participating in the saving knowledge of God, he next tells us that they would proclaim his goodness, and exhorts them to the exercise of gratitude. The repetition used clearly shows of itself that he alludes to an event of a new and unprecedented kind. Calvin's Commentary

Exercise of gratitude. Repetition. I like the picture that creates. We know that physical exercise is a set of repetitions to build up strength and flexibility, not to mention remain healthy. The same can be true of “gratitude exercise”, for repetitions of expressing praise will build up our spiritual strength and help our souls to remain healthy. 

Good trainers know that you can’t just exercise one time and then call it quits, because well you did exercise. To be effective, exercise must be done often and with increases resistance in order to continue to be beneficial. 

Exercising gratitude may begin with praising God for the good things, that’s easy. But exercising gratitude in the midst of something you don’t understand or as you go through a difficult situation—that will strengthen your soul. Because no matter the situation, you know that God is worthy of praise. 

To create a positive day, I need to exercise gratitude repeatedly! 

Translate into Action

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 15. Here is what I learned.

The one who does not collect interest on a loan  or take a bribe against an innocent person. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15:5 (GW)

If they loan money to someone, they do not charge them interest. And they refuse to testify against an innocent person, even if someone offers them money to do it. Whoever lives like this will always stand strong. Psalm 15:5 (ERV)

He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:5 (ASV)

"He that doeth." 'Tis not said he that professes this or that, or he that believes thus and thus, or he that is of such or such an opinion or wail of worship, or he that sets up new lights, and pretends the Spirit for his immediate guide; 'tis not he that hears much or talks much of religion; no, nor he that preaches and prays much, nor he that thinks much of these things, and means well; but 'tis he that "doeth these things" - that is actually employed about them - that is the religious and truly godly man. Condensed from Adam Littleton, D.D., 1627-1694 

Do: carry out, accomplish, achieve, act, arrange, be responsible for, bring about, cause, close, complete, conclude, create, determine, discharge, do one's thing, effect, end, engage in, execute, finish, fix, fulfill, get with it, go for it, look after, make, make ready, move, operate, perform, produce, pull off, see to, succeed, take care of business, take on, transact, undertake, wind up, work, wrap up.

Accomplish. Execute. Produce. Achieve. Act. Do. It’s one thing to know something, and it’s another things to act on that knowledge. 

I’m reminded of physical therapy. When I was going through physical therapy, my therapist would give me exercises to do at home. When I arrived at my next appointment, he would ask if I had done the exercises. Since I did do them, I would answer, “yes”. I remember asking him one time, if he knew if people  lied about doing them. He replied, “yes, because they don’t get stronger, or gain range of motion.”  Doing the exercises produced a positive result. There was evidence of the “doing.”

The same is true for knowing God’s Word and acting upon it. There is evidence in my life that an be seen by those around me, if I “do” what God’s Word says I’m to do. Knowing about God, and knowing what His Word says is good. However, there must be more to that knowledge—it must be acted upon. 

To create a positive day, my knowledge has to translate into action, producing godly actions.

Exercise that Knowledge

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The first of each month, I'm studying Psalm 67. Here's what Treasure I found today.

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. Psalm 67:2 (NLT)

So the world will ·learn [know] your ways, and all nations ·will learn that you can save [your salvation/victory]. Psalm 67:2 (EXB)

Your way: a course of life or mode of action, journey, manner.

Known: observation, care, recognition, acknowledge, acquainted with, advise, be aware.

God’s course of life, mode of action, manner....what is God doing, and what does He want me to do? Can one really know what God wants? The answer is “yes”. Oh, we may not know some things, or specific details, or what will happen... before it happens. But there is PLENTY that we do know! 

Just take the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:2-17

1. I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
3. Do not take the name of the Lord in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shall not kill/murder.
7. Thou shall not commit adultery.
8. Thou shall not steal.
9. Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10. Thou shall not covet your neighbor's wife (or anything that belongs to your neighbor).

The ten commandments, modes of action that God has specifically stated—we are very aware of them! The list is very simple. Yet, as simple as that list is..... how many times do I fail at exercising on that knowledge? 

Seeing “knowing” what God course of life, mode of action is..... is one thing. Notice that the word, “way” means mode of action. Knowing should produce action. I need to be “exercising” God’s way daily. As I exercise what I do know, God will reveal His will and way to me so that I can continue on the journey He has planned for me. 

So often I want to know what God’s will is for me tomorrow or next week. But I don’t want to do God’s will today. My focus can’t be on the future if I’m not willing to obey and do what God wants today. 

To create a positive day, I must learn God’s will for the ‘here and now’ and exercise (act on) that knowledge, and let God take care of the tomorrows.