Apr. 8 | Guard Your Heart

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Lesson 8 | Guard Your Heart

I had the honor of growing up in a Christian home with godly parents.  Both of my parents still love Jesus today and set forth a great example of faithfulness to the Lord.  One of my Dad’s trademarks is to always tell me, “Guard your heart and protect your testimony.”

His fatherly advice is rooted in this precious proverb.  However, King Solomon watched his father David suffer because he didn’t guard his own heart.  The Bible records that when David was supposed to be at war he decided to stay home and spend time gazing from his palace roof.  On one occasion King David saw a married woman bathing and lusted after her.  He then had sex with her and she became pregnant. 

However, David didn’t confess his sin immediately, but rather tried to conceal it by bringing her husband home from war to sleep with her so that everyone would think it was his baby.  When the godly man refused to dishonor his troops by indulging in sex with his wife- David had the man placed in the most dangerous part of a battle and then commanded his general to withdraw his troops so the man would be killed, 2 Samuel 11.

Therefore, because David didn't guard his heart he became a liar, adulterer, and murderer.  The powerful lesson King Solomon is teaching is simple, “above all else, guard your heart!”  For from your heart (your inner emotions and desires) is the source of your life.  Just like how the physical heart is the source of blood to the whole body, so the inner heart is the source of life to the entire soul (your mind, will, and emotions).  Plus, just like the rib cage guards your physical heart you must let the Holy Spirit with God’s Word guard your inner heart. 

Here are some practical ways to guard your heart, (1) Guard your eyes and what you look at for it can become lust, (2) Guard how you spend and acquire money because it can become greed, (3) Guard your temper because it can become full of bitterness and wrath, (4) Guard your words for they can become perverted and unwholesome, and (5) Guard your thoughts because they can become doubtful and sinful.    

Reflection | What do you need to guard your heart from today?

Action | (1) Ask God to reveal any areas of your life your heart has been invaded by sin. (2) Ask God to remove any sin or doubt from your heart. (3) Lastly, everyday protect and guard your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit and obedience to God’s Word.  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, & Proverbs 12:24. Click here to read online.

Apr. 7 | Wisdom is Supreme

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

Lesson 7 | Wisdom is Supreme

Did you know that God’s wisdom has an answer for every problem you face in life?  Wisdom is the application of knowledge.  And understanding is the ability to comprehend wise things.  That is why Solomon is teaching us that nothing is more important than wisdom- its supreme.  And we need to gain understanding even if it costs us everything.  Also, remember what James said, “every good and perfect gift comes from above,” James 1:17.  Thus, all wisdom (medical, spiritual, physical, etc.) comes from God! 

Therefore, consider all the problems you face in life as “wisdom opportunities.”  Meaning, every time you face a problem you are being given a chance to obtain wisdom to solve it.  For example, if you’re facing a problem in your marriage God is giving you and your spouse the opportunity to grow in the wisdom of a healthy marriage.  Thus, you must obtain the wisdom needed in your life to have a great marriage.

The principle of wisdom applies to everything in life.  All the problems in medical science are solved by God’s wisdom and understanding- whether the doctors acknowledge God or not.  Every fact, true statement, and knowable thing has its grounding in God.  That is why we as Christians started such universities as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale- because we believed all the world’s wisdom was given to men to know through God.

Harvard’s founding motto was, “Truth for Christ and the Church.”  Now it’s just, “Truth,” (“Veritas” in Latin) because they have forgotten their foundation.  Therefore, make it your focus in life to gain wisdom and understanding from God.  Of course, he uses schools and the like, but be sure to glorify Him for being the source of all wisdom and understanding.

Reflection | Do you want wisdom and understanding in your life?   

Action | (1) Are you willing to do whatever it takes to obtain wisdom and understanding in the areas of your life you have problems in? (2) Are you willing to be proactive and gain wisdom and understanding for your career, family, and community to have success? (3) Lastly, do whatever it takes in each area of your life to gain wisdom and understanding (mentorship, school, training, reading, etc…).

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27, Luke 12:8-34, Psalm 78:32-55, & Proverbs 12:21-23. Click here to read online.

Apr. 6 | Don’t Be Stingy

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 3:27, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

Lesson 6 | Don’t Be Stingy

Nobody likes a stingy selfish self-centered person.  Can you remember the last time you needed to borrow something from someone and they said no, even though you knew they had it?  Didn’t that upset you!  Urgh.  Nothing frustrates me more than people who are selfish and stingy.  I remember when I first got into rock climbing I took a church group to a place where we paid a ton of money to have people teach us and let us use their equipment.

After that first time I was hooked.  I used to go back to the same spot with a few friends to hike and have fun.  One time I saw a group of people climbing by themselves and I asked them if we could do a climb for the love of the sport. However, they said no with an attitude and an air of superiority.  I even offered to pay and they still said no.  Their reasons were they had worked hard on setting up all their gear and they just wanted to privately enjoy their time on the rock.   

However, to us it was like they were saying, “We don’t have time to let you peasants climb, we’re too busy being rock stars!”  Over time my friends and I bought our own equipment and learned how to do everything (of course in safety) and we started climbing all the time.

Nothing would make me feel more joyful then when someone would come by and say, “Hey, can I give it a try?”  I would passionately say, “Come on, you’re next!”  The meaning behind my short story is that we aren’t always able to help everyone in life, but we can help someone!  We shouldn’t turn people away from helping them if we truly can help.  I’ve even taught my kids “sharing is caring.”

For example, maybe someone needs to borrow your shovel because they don’t have one to clear the snow with.  If you’re done with yours- let them borrow it.  And if you have two and can afford to buy another- give it to them!  Christians aren't to be pushovers and enablers, but we should be able to really help and bless people with the things we have. 

Next time someone asks you for help before you say, “no,” make sure you have really thought about it and considered his or her feelings and your actual resources.  And if it’s in your power to act, give them a big resounding “yes!”

Reflection | Do you like helping people when you have the power to act?   

Action | (1) Repent of any selfishness you may have had in the past. (2) Look for opportunities to help others with the things you have. (3) Lastly, when someone asks you for help only say “no” if you really cannot do it.  Other than those times say, “yes!”    

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, & Proverbs 12:19-20. Click here to read online.

Apr. 5 | Trust in the Lord

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 3:5-6, “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Lesson 5 | Trust in the Lord

The above proverb is the first one I ever committed to memory.  It has proven to be just as powerful today as the day I first learned it.  I will take the next few sentences to break down each of its main parts.

First, Solomon commands us to trust in the Lord with all of our heart.  The word trust here means, “to put full confidence in God and His Words.”  Second, we are told not lean on our own understanding.  That is because our own understanding is in opposition to God’s wisdom.  Think of an object only being able to lean in one direction at a time.  Our direction of leaning (dependence) should always be towards the Lord and His Word.

Third, we are told in all our ways to acknowledge Him.  This means we are to always place God’s presence and Word as the filter for all our thoughts, actions, and words.  Our ways should become His ways.  For example, when choosing whom to marry we should first acknowledge God and His plan to be sure we find the right one.  Also, in our daily working habits we should consider how God would have us to do our tasks so that we might be honest and successful workers.

Lastly, the proverb promises that if we have been faithful to do the previous steps (trust in the Lord, lean not on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways) He will make our paths straight.  To have straight paths means we will have the best route to our goals and destinations.

Therefore, take some time today to reaffirm your trust for God.  Avoid being dependent upon your own wisdom and always acknowledge God in all you do.  For if you do those things, God promises to make your life a success! 

Reflection | Who’s understanding are you leaning your life on, yours or God’s?   

Action | (1) Trust God and His Word with everything in your life. (2) Stop leaning on your own understanding in life. (3) Acknowledge God in all you do.  (4) Lastly, follow the straight paths He sets before you!  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, & Proverbs 12:18. Click here to read online.