Four words to live by for 2016
The new year has come, and it is one week to go before the month of February is before us.
If there are just four words I can summarise, and strive to live by for the year 2016, they are:
1) Wisdom
2) Position Ourselves
3) Rest.
1) WISDOM:
The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, son of King David on gaining wisdom.
The keys to gaining the blessings and favour of the Lord can be summarised in these verses here.
Wisdom does not live alone:
I wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
Do what it instructs:
The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate...
And you will be blessed:
Riches and honour are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness...
Do what is righteous and pleasing to the Lord:
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
Others around you will also be blessed:
granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
(Proverbs 8:12 - 21)
Wisdom does not just affect you, it affects others in your sphere of influence as well.
2) POSITION OURSELVES:
The book of Proverbs gives the reader the insight to be a good steward and manage the time, health, talents and wealth bestowed upon the reader in their care. It was not written for us to pass our time, but that we follow the advice given, that we position ourselves to be in the place to receive the favour and blessings.
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this (for wisdom). And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold I now do according to your word.
Behold I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honour, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days".
1 Kings 3: 10-14.
If there are just four words I can summarise, and strive to live by for the year 2016, they are:
1) Wisdom
2) Position Ourselves
3) Rest.
1) WISDOM:
The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, son of King David on gaining wisdom.
The keys to gaining the blessings and favour of the Lord can be summarised in these verses here.
Wisdom does not live alone:
I wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
Do what it instructs:
The fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate...
And you will be blessed:
Riches and honour are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness...
Do what is righteous and pleasing to the Lord:
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
Others around you will also be blessed:
granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
(Proverbs 8:12 - 21)
Wisdom does not just affect you, it affects others in your sphere of influence as well.
2) POSITION OURSELVES:
The book of Proverbs gives the reader the insight to be a good steward and manage the time, health, talents and wealth bestowed upon the reader in their care. It was not written for us to pass our time, but that we follow the advice given, that we position ourselves to be in the place to receive the favour and blessings.
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this (for wisdom). And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold I now do according to your word.
Behold I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honour, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days".
1 Kings 3: 10-14.
The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whatever pleased the Lord in the past, will also please the Lord today, and tomorrow.
However, length of days (meaning long life is conditional).
3) REST:
Finally, believe in the completed work of Christ on the cross, and in his sacrificial death for us that we may be imputed into his righteousness, for God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we may become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
After exiting the land of Egypt, the Israelites were not able to enter the land of Canaan, a land of rest that Jehovah prepared for them through their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). Just as today, we will not be able to enter God's rest if we do not have faith and believe in the completed work of Christ on the cross.
Until we learn to wait and rest in the shadow of God's wings, we will never be able to receive the blessings that only God can provide and give to us.
For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Hebrews 4: 10-11.
Finally, believe in the completed work of Christ on the cross, and in his sacrificial death for us that we may be imputed into his righteousness, for God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we may become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
After exiting the land of Egypt, the Israelites were not able to enter the land of Canaan, a land of rest that Jehovah prepared for them through their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). Just as today, we will not be able to enter God's rest if we do not have faith and believe in the completed work of Christ on the cross.
Until we learn to wait and rest in the shadow of God's wings, we will never be able to receive the blessings that only God can provide and give to us.
For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Hebrews 4: 10-11.
Comments