90 Days of Wisdom: Day 59

If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable. (Proverbs 28:9)

In the Old Testament, "the law" is use to refer to the first five books of the Bible. In fact, it was "The Bible" for the Old Testament believers. Had this verse been written during Paul's day, or even in our day, I have a feeling it would have said,

"If anyone turns a deaf ear to God's Word..." The Message translates this verse thus:

God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him.

Our prayers are worthless words if we are not willing to listen and then live out what God has to say to us through His Word. The Bible is not just a book of ancient stories meant to give us some inspiration and make us feel better. It is God's Word to us and God's plan is that we take it, learn it, apply it, and live it.

When we do that, our prayers are effective.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 58

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

We need people in our lives to spur us on, to challenge and encourage us to improve in every area of our lives. There are no "Lone Rangers" in the real world and every true "self-made man" is a small man.

One of the "sharpeners" that God has brought into my life has put it this way:

" You are where you are today because you

stand on somebody's shoulders.

And wherever you are heading...

you cannot get there by yourself.

Nobody does.

I didn't.

But...

If you stand on the shoulders of others,

you have a reciprocal responsibility to live your life

so that others may stand on your shoulders.

It's the quid pro quo of life.

We exist temporarily through what we take,

but we live forever through what we give.

Give 100% of yourself to your clients and people who need you...

If you do, then you will succeed and thrive"

John DeFendis

We need people in our lives who challenge us in at least three areas: spiritually, physically, and mentally. Everyone needs a fitness training partner or trainer. We all need someone to spur us on spiritually. We also need people in our lives to challenge our thinking.

Who is sharpening you?

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 57

Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest. (Proverbs 26:2)

It is tempting to get all worked up when somebody says something bad about us. It hurts our feelings and sometimes we feel a need to get even, to set the record straight, and to clear our name. The truth is, false accusations don't stick. Integrity is like Teflon, jealous people may cast curses our way, but they just won't stick because the way we live speaks louder than what anyone can say.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 56

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. (Proverbs 25:12)

There is something within us that resists correction. Too many times we allow Pride to raise its ugly head in our lives and we resist any type of rebuke. The truth is, all of us have blind spots in our lives. Each of us has areas where we need to improve. We all need to be accountable to someone.

When we listen to rebuke from the right people, those words become priceless. Like the basketball player who listens and follows his coach's correction, the person who listens and makes course corrections in life improves his game.

Who are you listening to?

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 55

Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

(Proverbs 24:11)

Rescue the perishing;
don't hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business,"
will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know—
Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

(Proverbs 24:11-12, The Message)

When someone we know is making a bad decision, we have an obligation to step in and point them in the right direction. When I look back on life, there are some decisions that I made that may have gone differently--and better--had a wise friend pointed me in a better direction.

Although this proverb can be applied to family, career, and financial decisions, it especially applies to the sharing of our faith in Jesus Christ. People who do not know Christ are perishing; they are staggering to an inevitable peril. It is our duty to share with them the good news.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 54

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:5)

Earthly riches can be here today and gone tomorrow. In the fall of 2008 we witnessed the meltdown on Wall Street and many lost their life savings. People who had planned on retiring could not because their retirement nest egg was suddenly gone. Fires destroy peoples homes every day. Valuables are stolen. The cost of a prolonged illness can be devastating.

This is why we are to hold on to the things of this world with a loose grip. It is great to be blessed with so many things, as all of us here in America are. But things do not make a life.

That's why we are to lay up treasure in heaven and pursue those eternal qualities that can never be taken away from us. Today, let's be thankful for our careers and our possessions... but let's pursue wisdom!

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 53

A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1)

We all know people who have sold their reputations in order to make more money. The temptation for fame and riches has caused many to go down in flames. The sad truth is that once we have marred our reputation, and our personal stock goes down, it can take a long time to build it back. Broken trust is difficult to regain.

Instead of trying to get rich, let's seek to live a consistent, godly life. The riches this world has to offer will only last a little while... and many have lost it as quickly as they gained it... but a lifestyle that is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ pays dividends for all eternity.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 52

To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

Old Testament ritual revolved around the sacrifice. Many thought that as long as they participated in the ritualistic sacrifices that they were OK... no matter how they lived. Today, we would compare it to going to church: as long as we go to church on Sunday, it doesn't matter how we live the rest of the week.

However, God wants what we practice on Sunday to carry over into the rest of our lives. Real worship will result in a life of integrity.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 51

A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing. (Proverbs 20:4)

The law of the harvest is both undeniable and unavoidable. We reap what we sow, we reap more than we sow, and we reap after we sow. Since we live in an age of instant gratification, many people struggle with the concept of having to wait to see the harvest. The sluggard in Proverbs has nothing at harvest time because he sowed nothing in the spring. Although there are people like that in our world today, there are others who never reap their full potential because they didn't see the results of their initial sowing soon enough.

When I first came to Anderson, it took me four months to get a client base established. The truth is, months 2 & 3 were very discouraging. Mine is a commission-based business, which means that no clients equals no money. It was a tough time. I could have quit and gone back to Charleston saying, "This deal just didn't work out for me." Instead, I pushed through (push... Pray Until Something Happens). I kept plugging away from early morning until late in the evening. The results were from April through December I became one of the top producers in my organization and won "Trainer of the Month" more than anyone else.

If you know you're doing what God has given you to do. Give it all you've got. Keep sowing and watering... in time you will experience the reaping!

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 50

A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)

It's amazingly sad how easily so many people find offense in the actions of others. What's worse is that we tend to cater to these people and make rules so that they will no longer be offended. People who are easily offended are foolish. One of the outgrowths of real wisdom is the ability to see through someone's bad behavior and see the need in their lives that may be producing it.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 49

A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating. (Proverbs 18:6)

There's an old saying I grew up with: "Don't let your mouth write a check that your rear-end can't cash." It's foolish to pop off at the mouth and say things that are mean and hurtful. Feelings are hurt, friendships are ruined, possibilities are extinguishes, and sometimes fights break because of ill-timed and ill-chosen words.

Choose your words carefully. If you feel anger welling up inside you, it might be best to walk away, calm down, and then deal with the situation. Let's use our words to build others up... and not tear them down.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 48

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but the LORD tests the heart. (Proverbs 17:3)

In order for gold and silver to shine, sparkle, and find their full worth, they each must be purified through fire. The metal smith takes the raw material, puts heat to it, melts it down and then skims the impurities off of the molten metal as they rise to the top. In ancient times, the silver smith knew the silver was pure when he could look into the melted silver and see his own reflection.

God is doing the same thing with our hearts. He wants our hearts--that is, our motives, thinking, attitudes, ambitions--to be pure. Many times the tests we endure are not due to some sin we've committed, but due to our heavenly silver smith desiring to purify our lives. When the heat is on in life and we blow up, react negatively, cuss, fight, or run and hide in fear... it shows that we aren't yet pure. However, as we are purified, our response to adverse circumstances become the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When God sees those responses from us, just like the ancient silver smith... He sees his own reflection in our lives.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 47

The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way guards his life. (Proverbs 16:17)

The late country singer, Chris LeDeux, wrote a song, "Life is a Highway." This song was covered by Rascal Flats for the Disney movie "Cars." I have no idea what the words to this song are... but the tune is good... and the concept is biblical.

Just as heading down Main Street includes intersections and other opportunities to turn and go to different places, your life's highway is mingled with temptations to take a dark path. Temptation avenue intersects your Life Highway on a regular basis, and you must decide every day whether you will stay on the good road, or risk the bad one.

Here's the promise: the right road leads to a real life... the wrong road leads only to regret. Avoid the trappings of temptation. Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead of you... and continue on the road of a life worth living.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 46

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)

Growing up we were constantly reminded, both at church and at home, that God was always watching us. 99% of the time this was used negatively as a motivation to keep us out of trouble.

But notice, God is also always watching over the good. Sometimes we wonder if anyone notices when we try to live a life of integrity. We see people cheat and get rewarded and we are tempted to take short-cuts ourselves. We can rest assured that we've never made an upright decision, carried out a good deed, or done the right thing and God not notice.

Rest assured that our heavenly Father notices our good actions... and in time He will reward them.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 45

A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)

If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. If you are like me, you are weary of forwarded emails promising you some great reward if you send it on to other people... or emails with outlandish claims (either good or bad) about some political figure. The point is this: let's not be gullible. Don't believe everything you hear.

At the same time, we don't need to be skeptical and view everything with doubt. Instead, we should be discerning. That's what it means to give thought to our steps. Think it through, consider the pros and cons, and then make your decision.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 44

The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs 13:4)

Earl Nightingale once made the statement, "We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service."

The Bible backs this up, as we are reminded over and over of the importance of diligence in our work. We live in a culture where more and more people are looking for something for nothing. Instead of applying themselves at work, they seek to do as little as possible. Many are banking on the lottery to provide for them.

God promises that if we'll work diligently, remembering that ultimately we are doing our work for Him, that we will be rewarded. Today, at work, be the best!

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 43

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. (Proverbs 12:14)

I'm sure we all understand the importance of hard work and how diligence in our occupations brings rewards. We are rewarded with a paycheck, with promotion, with personal satisfaction, and with more influence within our companies.

Our words have the same effect. When our words are consistently negative--"I'm no good"... "I can't do this"... "you're stupid"... etc., we are speaking curses over against our success in life. Instead of speaking negative things about ourselves and others, we should emphasize the positive: "I can do all things through Christ who strengths me"... "With God's help, I'll get this done"... "You're better than that, let me help you"... etc.

Double your efforts at work, at home, or wherever you may be, by speaking positive, encouraging, affirmative words.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 42

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Proverbs 11:3)

Are you walking in integrity or in duplicity? Integrity, at its root meaning, carries the idea of being whole. It means that a person has the same moral code everywhere he goes. He's the same person at work, home, church, or wherever he goes. It also means that one's thoughts and actions are the same.

Duplicity means doubleness of thought, speech or action. It speaks of the person who hides their true intentions with deceptive words or actions. The problem this person has is keeping up with his own lies. His deception finally catches up with him.

Another English translation puts this proverb this way:

Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

Be honest... even when it hurts... even if it costs you. Lies will only come back to haunt you.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 41

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)

Back in the '80s, the band Dire Straits had a hit song, "Money for Nothing." It seems that many people have fallen into the trap of some how doing very little but making a lot of money. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Historically, it never has.

If you want to be successful, you must be diligent. There are two aspects of diligence that must come into play if we are going to acquire wealth. We must be work hard... and we must work smart. We must choose the best career path for us and then we must give it 100%.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 40

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

Our wisdom and knowledge flows from our world view. When we adopt a humanist or post-modern world view, we ultimately come to a conflict between what we think we know and what God has revealed to us through His Word, the Bible.

All knowledge and all wisdom finds its roots in God. As we grow in our relationship with Him and our understanding of His revealed truth, we grow in knowledge and wisdom.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 39

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8:10-11)

Money is alluring. It calls out to us and many people spend their lives seeking it. They work for it, cheat for it, and even gamble for it. Sadly, at the end of their lives many of these end up with nothing.

God's wisdom is more valuable than any of this world's riches. Money may buy a house, but it takes God's wisdom to build a home. Invest time each day growing in God's wisdom. Seek His Word for instruction and knowledge that lasts.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 38

All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. (Proverbs 7:22-23)

Adultery... and every other form of immoral sexual activity... looks enticing on the surface, but will cost us more than we would ever want to pay. Adultery and pornography are the road to death. Instead of playing the game of seeing how close to the edge of sin we can walk without falling into it, we need to be doing just the opposite. Let's see how close to God we can walk and keep our lives both clean and free.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 37

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:10-11)

We live in a world where it is easy to skate by and do as little as possible... for a while. So much of life is computer-driven, that we can sit behind a computer, look like we are doing something productive while we are actually accomplishing nothing.

Just getting by is a big temptation for a lot of people. However, it will cost us more in the long run than we really want to pay. As God's people, we need to be productive and diligent. In the New Testament, Paul tells us to do our work as unto the Lord, realizing that ultimately it is Him we are serving.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 36

For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. (Proverbs 5:3-4)

Forbidden fruit my taste sweet on the lips, but it's long-term effects will make you sick on your stomach! Cheap sex may be easy to get... but it will cost you more than you want to pay in the long run.

Keep the bigger picture in mind. Determine today, while the temptation is not upon you, that you will avoid this travesty. And remember... never let what you might want now cause you to forfeit what you want most.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 35

Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding. (Proverbs 4:1)

There are two key words/phrases here that we need to consider: "Listen" and "pay attention." Perhaps you've found yourself in a classroom, meeting at work, or even a worship service, and although people are talking and your ears are hearing what is being said... it's really not sinking in. There is a difference between just hearing and really listening... and there is a difference between being present at a meeting and paying attention to what's going on around you.

Today, no matter where you find yourself, engage your mental faculties, be an active participant, and grow from each experience.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 34

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. (Proverbs 3:13-14--NLT)

Perhaps you've heard the stories of people who came into a monetary fortune only to squander it. I've read accounts of lottery winners, people who received an inheritance, and professional athletes, who at one time had enough money to last their family for generations but let it run through their wallets like sand runs through our fingers at the beach.

We all know people who are consumed with making money and obtaining things but who never find their treasure at the end of the rainbow. Sadly, these people waste their lives pursuing the wrong goal.

There is something more valuable than gold and silver. It can in time provide us with abundance and at the same time keep us from squandering it. What am I talking about here? WISDOM. Wisdom is attainable for all of us who have a teachable and moldable spirit.

Today, seek wisdom. Learn something of eternal value today... and put it to work in your life!

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 33

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:11)

As I spend time in God's word and allow Him to build His truths into my life, I grow in a wisdom that is functional. Wisdom is more than just knowing some sayings. Wisdom is more than just fortune-cookie fodder. Instead, wisdom produces several things in our lives. Two of these aspects are discretion and understanding, which work to alert us concerning bad decisions and the wrong kinds of relationships.

As we grow in wisdom we can trust that inner alarm that goes off in certain situations and around some people.

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 32

My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. (Proverbs 1:10)

Our friends will either make us or break us. We must choose our associations carefully. The crowd is always calling out for us to follow them but we need to remember that while turkeys flock... eagles soar alone.

The next time you are tempted to go along with the crowd and give in to their peer pressure ask yourself this: "Do I want to gobble with the turkeys... or soar like an eagle?"

90 Days of Wisdom: Day 31

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8)

Although this is originally a command for a ruler, there is application for us today. We all know people who are outcast, discarded, and down-trodden. God wants us to be His voice for them. As God's people, we need to stand up and make a difference for those who are hurting and going through tough times.

Sometimes, when life is tough, it is difficult to speak words of faith over ourselves and we need someone to speak what we cannot find the faith to say. Just as four friends took the lame man to Jesus and lowered him through the roof, we need to be the voice of faith speaking God's promises to those we know who may be lame in their faith. In doing so, we'll see our faith grow stronger as well.