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  • Why Study Proverbs?

    Why Study Proverbs?
    2020/06/27
    “Many of us love the book of Proverbs for its practicality. Every verse seems to provide us with insight—some way to think or be—that will make our lives run just a bit more smoothly.And because the book of Proverbs provides us with a poetic road map of how God has designed the world to work, following its practical day-to-day guidance does make our lives more pleasant. But even this will prove a bit hollow in the long run if that’s the only reason we study Proverbs. We don’t want to miss the heart of it—what God is saying to his people through this unique portion of Scripture….This is a collection of sayings that provide skill in the art of godly living and show us how to reflect God’s glory in the details of our lives and relationships. It’s the difference between going to Proverbs for advice and going to it for wisdom.Seeking wisdom and not just advice requires more heart work, but it’s worth it! That’s because the wisdom found in Proverbs takes us outside of ourselves and our own lives to someone else—our covenant Lord. It teaches us that wisdom is not primarily about what we do but about who God is and what he’s done for us. That’s the heart of the book and the primary reason to study it.”

    That’s a (really) long quote by Justin S. Holcomb but is a great start to this introduction episode!

    I'm going to answer a few questions in this episode before we get started with our study.

    Why study proverbs? Or, wisdom literature at all?

    Actually...what is wisdom, really?

    For that matter, what's a proverb and what's important about the language of this book?

    I’m making a generalization, I realize, but most of us don’t study wisdom literature in the Bible. We study the gospels, the letters, and sometimes books in the old testament too, like Genesis and major books of prophecy, like Daniel, or Isaiah. But there are a few groups of books that we tend to quote selected verses from, but not really dig into.

    One of those groups is wisdom literature.

    That's a mistake, because these books have an amazing mixture of practical, useful wisdom delivered with beautiful, powerful language.

    If you want to follow along with the broadcast and keep a journal of what you learn along the way and have a place to respond to the application questions I ask in each episode, we’re making free PDF journal pages available each week.

    Go to www.getwisdom.link/email to sign up!
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    16 分
  • Being Receptive to the Word of God: Proverbs 2:1-2

    Being Receptive to the Word of God: Proverbs 2:1-2
    2020/06/30
    “It’s a biological principle that you will increasingly value whatever you make it a habit to pursue.”   - Chuck Swindoll

    Today we cover an overview of Proverbs chapter 2 and the big picture for the verses we’ll be looking at this week. Plus we dig in to the verses below.


    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:1-2. 


    My son, if you accept my words

    and store up my commands within you,

    listening closely to wisdom

    and directing your heart to understanding;  (CSB)


    Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you;

    collect my counsels and guard them with your life.

    Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;

    set your heart on a life of Understanding.  (MSG)


    Raymond C Ortland Jr says, “Proverbs 2 is one of the most helpful passages in the Bible, because it explains what growth and sanctification and renewal--what all of that feels like. This passage explains the psychology of change.”


    Today and tomorrow we’ll cover the first four verses which are a series of instructions

    John Phillips outlines these verses as:

    • We Must Be Receptive (v 1)
    • We Must Be Responsive (v 2-3)
    • We Must Be Resolute (v 4)


    Chuck Swindoll divides it into four disciplines

    • Discipline of the written Word of God (v 1)
    • Discipline of our inner desire (v 2)
    • Discipline of prevailing prayer (v 3)
    • Discipline of daily consistency (v 4)


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    12 分
  • Searching For Wisdom Like it's Your Lost Cell Phone: Proverbs 2:3-4

    Searching For Wisdom Like it's Your Lost Cell Phone: Proverbs 2:3-4
    2020/06/30
    “Those who earnestly seek heavenly wisdom, will never complain that they have lost their labor; and the freeness of the gift does not do away the necessity of our diligence” - Matthew Henry

    Today we’ll cover the second half of four verses which are a series of instructions to believers.

    John Phillips outlines these verses as:

    • We Must Be Receptive (v 1)
    • We Must Be Responsive (v 2-3)
    • We Must Be Resolute (v 4)

    Chuck Swindoll divides it into four disciplines

    • Discipline of the written Word of God (v 1)
    • Discipline of our inner desire (v 2)
    • Discipline of prevailing prayer (v 3)
    • Discipline of daily consistency (v 4)


    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:3-4. 


    furthermore, if you call out to insight

    and lift your voice to understanding,

    if you seek it like silver

    and search for it like hidden treasure,  (CSB)


    That’s right—if you make Insight your priority,

        and won’t take no for an answer,

    Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,

        like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,    (MSG)


    “When Betty Goldstein of Staten Island, New York, entered the hospital, her husband Ron wrapped her 3.5-carat diamond ring in a napkin for safekeeping. But in a forgetful moment, the 63-year-old Goldstein threw the napkin in the trash. When he realized his mistake, he dashed outside, only to see the garbage truck rumbling down the street. So he called the local sanitation department and got permission to follow the truck to a transfer station. Workers began sorting through hundreds of garbage bags and recovered the ring an hour later. The writer of Proverbs urges us to search diligently for something far more precious—wisdom. In Pr 2, a father encourages his son to do whatever is necessary to get insight and wisdom. This strenuous search for wisdom is actually a search for God Himself (Pr 2:3-5). In fact, inner happiness comes when man attains this wisdom (Pr 3:13). He encourages his son to search diligently for this rare jewel because wisdom is not usually discovered by the casual observer. Wisdom is discovered and enjoyed only by those who are diligent, devoted, and determined to seek it. Let us devote our whole being to searching for that rare jewel of wisdom.” —Marvin Williams


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 


    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    13 分
  • The Fear of the Lord & the Knowledge of God: Proverbs 2:5

    The Fear of the Lord & the Knowledge of God: Proverbs 2:5
    2020/07/01
    “The person who fears God seeks to live all of life to the glory of God... All the activities of life should be pursued with the aim of glorifying God.” - Jerry Bridges

    Today we cover the “THEN” portion of the IF/THEN statement in Proverbs 2. The results we’ll get if we take the actions we’ve been talking about the last few days. 

    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:5. 

    then you will understand the fear of the Lord

    and discover the knowledge of God.  (CSB)

    Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;

    you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God.  (MSG)


    Other Scriptures Referenced:  Jeremiah 9:23-24   

    This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,"  declares the LORD.


    “‘Fear’ and ‘knowledge’ are words of attitude and action, as well as information. They are code terms for the total response in life—worship, obedience, service, love—which God enables those to make who fully commit their ways to Him. They describe an exclusive relation that transforms all other relationships: to ourselves, our neighbors, our things, our work, our world.”  - David Allen Hubbard


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    9 分
  • Where Does Wisdom Come From? [Proverbs 2:6]

    Where Does Wisdom Come From? [Proverbs 2:6]
    2020/07/02

    “We must be looking beyond our circumstances to God as our power and wisdom.” - Thomas Bear

    In this episode we get to the “BECAUSE” of the passage we’ve been studying. Why can we get the results we’re given in verse 5? Because...


    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:6. 

    For the Lord gives wisdom;

    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  (CSB)


    For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.  (TLB)


    Other Scriptures Referenced:    

    I have filled him (Bezalell) with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,  (Ex 31:3)


    As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. (Da 1:17)


    It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding (Da 2:21)


    To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us the king’s matter. (Da 2:23)


    “What is implicit in all of Proverbs, chapter 2 makes brightly explicit: Wisdom comes from God and no one can enjoy it who does not choose God’s paths.” - Robert Hubbard


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 


    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    12 分
  • Benefits of Knowing God [Proverbs 2:7-8]

    Benefits of Knowing God [Proverbs 2:7-8]
    2020/07/03

    “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”  -  Gilbert K. Chesterton

    Today's verses share some of the benefits of knowing God and living in relationship with him. The Way may not be the easy road, but it will never be without reward.

    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:7-8. 


    he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

        he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

    guarding the paths of justice

        and watching over the way of his saints.  (ESV)


    He's a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,

    a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.

    He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,

    and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.  (MSG)


    If you need to be encouraged by the last line of these verses or to have it re-enforced slowly read Psalm 121 which uses the same Hebrew verb six times in eight verses!

    The benefits of knowing God are that God himself is

    • Storing up practical wisdom for you
    • Shielding you
    • Guarding your path
    • Keeping you, preserving you


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    10 分
  • Righteousness, Justice, & Integrity [Proverbs 2:9-10]

    Righteousness, Justice, & Integrity [Proverbs 2:9-10]
    2020/07/06

    “Our Father is saying in Proverbs 2, ‘If you will seek newness of life in Christ, you will go deep with him, and you will change within yourself, Then you’ll be prepared for life in the real world.’ That is how grace works,” - Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.

    Today we talk about a new description of wisdom: the “ethical triad” of righteousness, justice, and equity and how it can take up residence in your heart. Which sounds nice and “Christian-ey”, but imagine if the seat of your emotions, understanding, reason, conscience, motives, desires, decision-making, and faith was governed by righteousness, justice, and equity. How would that affect your life?

    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:9-10. 

    Then you will understand righteousness and justice

        and equity, every good path;

     for wisdom will come into your heart,

        and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;  (ESV)

    Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,

        and you will find the right way to go.

    For wisdom will enter your heart,

        and knowledge will fill you with joy.  (NLT)


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    11 分
  • What Can Help You Choose the Right Path in Life?

    What Can Help You Choose the Right Path in Life?
    2020/07/07

    “I shall be telling this with a sigh

    Somewhere ages and ages hence:

    two roads diverged in a wood, and I --

    I took the one less traveled by,

    And that has made all the difference.”

    - Robert Frost

    Today we’re talking about one of the temptations a young person will face in life and what protects us from falling victim to it.


    Today’s Scripture:  Proverbs 2:11-12. 

    discretion will watch over you,

        understanding will guard you,

    delivering you from the way of evil,

        from men of perverted speech, (ESV)


    Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,

        Insight will keep an eye out for you.

    They’ll keep you from making wrong turns,

        or following the bad directions  (MSG)


    In speaking of the men in verse 12, George Lawson says, “They speak contrary things; they pay no regard to truth, but bend their tongue like their bow for lies.” 


    If you want a place to see and answer the questions I ask in the episode and to keep track of the discoveries you make as we study Proverbs, we include a set of free journal pages for this devotional series in each of our Sunday emails 

    Free journal pages to follow the study:  www.getwisdom.link/email


    www.getwisdompublishing.com

    www.graceandthegravelroad.com
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    13 分