Proverbs 4:5-7: All-out Effort

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. and in all your getting, get understanding. Proverbs 4:5-7

Get: by implication to own -- attain 

Wisdom: ethical and religious

Understanding: the faculty (an ability, natural or acquired, for a particular kind of action)

Do not forget: cause to forget, to be oblivious of

Turn away: to bend away (including moral deflection)

Forsake: be remote, absent, depart

Perserve: keep, watch, guard, protect

Love: beloved like, friend, to have affection for

Keep: guard from dangers, preserve

Principal: absolute chief, the first, in place, time, order or rank

Understanding: discernment

As I read these verses, I couldn't help but picture a football game. The intense desire of the teams to "get the ball" to "get the touchdown". Offense and Defense want that ball — and all the effort is directed to getting it! Offense has the ball, and what they do with it, is key if they want to keep it and score. Defense is in an all-out effort to get that ball either by causing a fumble, interception, or taking over on downs. All-out effort is put forth in "getting". 

Do I put forth the same effort in getting Wisdom? Do I get an all-out effort to get the treasure of Wisdom? 

And once I get wisdom, what do I do with it? Do I use it, or do I hide in the locker room? Having wisdom is one thing, but using the understanding of wisdom is a different level of play. It's using wisdom to direct my life. Wisdom should be a good friend, whom I want to have beside me throughout life. No matter what comes, wisdom will be there to direct and guard me.

Wisdom should be the first and foremost thing which I desire and strive to get, and it should have first place in my life. Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and that begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31MSG). 

All-out effort. First and foremost. Get Wisdom. It will change your life! 

Proverbs 2:7: #TreasureUp

He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; Proverbs 2:7

Stores up: reserve blessings, treasure up

Sound Wisdom: of the effect of sound wisdom, abiding success, efficient wisdom

Upright: straightforward, just upright; the upright among the people of God as distinguished from the wicked

Shield: a protector, a defense

Walk: walk in one's integrity; of moral and religious life

Uprightly: integrity of mind

He—the Lord, Yahweh— is storing up blessings! Treasure up! That would make an awesome hashtag: #TreasureUp. God is setting aside blessings of sound wisdom—abiding success for those who choose God's wisdom.

Not only that, God knows as we try to walk in obedience to His wisdom, we will encounter enticements from the wicked. Therefore, God not only supplies the treasure of wisdom, He provides a defense against the wicked. So, we can enjoy all that God has reserved—#TreasureUp—knowing that we have the Supreme Body Guard! 

#TreasureUp blessings of sound wisdom, abiding success. It's available. It's waiting. Along with a Body Guard to protect us as we grow in wisdom and apply wisdom each day. 

#TreasureUp. God in His grace is offering wisdom. And will I be so stubborn not to accept it? Will I ignore His wisdom and accept the path of sin and destruction? 

#TreasureUp. If I want to be upright, it all begins with a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For one who fears God, is ready to accept all that God has in store for him/her. #TreasureUp — it's available. 

“Heart-Joy”

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (AMP)

The Eternal’s directions are correct, giving satisfaction to the heart. God’s commandments are clear, lending clarity to the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (VOICE)

The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. Psalm 19:8 (MSG)

"The statutes of the Lord are right." His precepts and decrees are founded in righteousness, and are such as are right or fitted to the right reason of man. As a physician gives the right medicine, and a counsellor the right advice, so does the Book of God. "Rejoicing the heart." Mark the progress; he who was converted was next made wise and is now made happy; that truth which makes the heart right then gives joy to the right heart. Free-grace brings heart-joy. Earthborn mirth dwells on the lip, and flushes the bodily powers; but heavenly delights satisfy the inner nature, and fill the mental faculties to the brim. There is no cordial of comfort like that which is poured from the bottle of Scripture. Treasury of David

This time of year, Christmas, we hear a lot about joy and happiness. If we get that perfect gift, we’ll be so happy. If we get everything on our wish list, we’ll be ecstatic. If we just can get that one item, or find it on sale so we can buy it ourselves, we’ll be filled with joy! Oh, until that item breaks, or we learn after Christmas a new, and improved model is now available.., or we realize that the gift wasn’t all it was advertised to be.... then our joy is gone. 

True joy has its foundation in God, Himself. And since God does not change, He cannot be improved upon, for He is perfect in every way—the joy He provides is everlasting. God’s joy is available, I only have to read the Scriptures and love God, and obey Him. “Heart-joy”. That is joy that springs up inside and bubbles out. It’s a joy that is from God so there is a never-ending supply. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure my focus and desire for joy is not based on earthly treasures, but is a true and honest, “Heart-Joy” direct from God! 

Broke My Bank..literally!

This morning, I broke my bank. It was a bank I've used for 34 years; a glass elephant. I used the bank for my loose change. When it was full, I'd take the coins to my bank and use the money for fun stuff. Over the years, the money has bought me many things.. and even gifts for others. But as I started thinking about what I actually bought with the money...to be honest, I couldn't remember a single thing!! Wow! I saved money for 34 years, and don't remember what I bought with it.

That reminded me of Matthew 6:20, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Am I storing up treasure in heaven? The next verse reads: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Where is my treasure and where is my heart?

I'm going to get a new bank, and continue storing up my loose change. But I hope the next 34 years, I spend the money on something worthwhile enough that I remember it. And I'm going to work harder at storing up treasure in heaven...that's something I'll remember for ETERNITY!

More important than creating a positive day, is creating a day in which I glorify God. As I go about my day, I should be serving God through my actions and attitude. Keeping my heart focused on God and living for Him will put a positive spin on any day!