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100 Days to a Wiser You Are you discovering the infinite worth of God’s
wisdom as we read and reread this magnificent Book of Proverbs? If you are
like me, you are encountering opportunity after opportunity to apply God’s
wisdom in your daily life. I am praying that this week you will live wisely,
obeying the commands of the Lord found in the Proverbs. |
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Pastor Lincoln
July 23, Proverbs 23
Bloodshot Eyes
Prayer: Lord, help to demonstrate self-control in every
area of my life today. - In Jesus’ name. Amen
Read Proverbs 23
Observations to Make:
Verses .29-35 provide a picture of someone who
drinks too much. List below some of the effects of
drunkenness.
Examples: The drunk raves on and on.
The drunk picks quarrels and fights.
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 23.32 below.
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Live it!
Today’s proverb pictures the misuse of alcohol as a
snake. I hate snakes. I don’t pick up snakes. And certainly we would never pick
up a dangerous snake. Infatuation with and the misuse of alcohol is something
you don’t want to pick up. Talk to the Lord about your use of alcohol. Are the
potential dangers worth the benefits of its use in your life?
Share it!
Talk to a close friend about your use of alcohol.
Have they ever seen you drunk? How important would they say alcohol is in your
life? Can you stop drinking for 30 days?
Give it a try!
July 24, Proverbs 24
Faint-heartedness
Prayer: Lord, you are my strength. In my weakness bring
glory to your name! - In Jesus Name. Amen
Read Proverbs 24
Observations to Make:
Note the place in this chapter where a subsection
of the proverbs begins entitled: Further
Sayings of the Wise. Circle the verse and write in the margin: new
section.
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 24.10 below.
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Look up these verses that provide examples and
descriptions of faint-heartedness: Lev 26.36; Numbers 14.3; Deut 20.8; Isa
30.17.
Live it!
In your last time of trouble did you falter or did
you stand? I have always been challenged by the saying, Champions play hurt. Memorize Pr 24.10, so you can be encouraged in
your next time of trouble.
Share it!
Rewrite this verse to turn it in into a word of
encouragement to share with others.
July 25, Proverbs 25
Too Much of a Good Thing
Prayer: Lord, Bless my friendships. Make me a great friend
to the people you have placed in my life. - In
Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read Proverbs 25
Observations to Make:
This section of the Proverbs contains wise sayings
attributed to Solomon collected by the scribes of King Hezekiah sometime
between 715-687 BC. Note that in Pr 25-27 there are fewer references to the
Lord
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 25.16-17below.
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Here are two proverbs I can’t bring myself to
separate, they so apparently go together. Circle the simple commands in both
proverbs. Underline the reasons behind the commands. Write the words command
and reason.
Live it!
What is it about us that thinks if one scoop of ice
cream is good, than two are better and seven are great! This proverb brings to
mind many popular sayings: everything in moderation; familiarity breeds
contempt; and don’t wear out your welcome. In what are do you tend to
overindulge? With what friends may you be wearing out your welcome? Pray today
for self control and discernment. Give a friend who might need it a respite
from your company today.
By the way, why do you think this proverb focuses
on entering the friend’s home specifically? How is calling someone at home on
the phone in a sense entering that person’s home?
Share it!
Find a child to share the message of Pr 25.16 with.
Children are especially challenged by the logic that more really isn’t better.
July 26, Proverbs 26
Puke
Prayer: Lord, help me to learn from my mistakes and not to
repeat them over and over again. - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read Proverbs 26
Observations to Make:
This chapter of the Proverbs is filled with vivid
images, with word pictures used for comparison. Circle are the comparison
indicators, words in this chapter – like,
as, and so.
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 26.11 below.
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What is the vivid picture used to describe a a fool who repeats his folly.
Live it!
A fool repeats his mistakes and he never learns
from them. He just returns to the same mess of his own making over and over
again. Is there a habitual sin in your life that you need to overcome in the
strength of the Lord? Talk to the Lord about that sin today.
Share it!
The image of a dog returning to his own vomit is
graphic and disgusting . . . and unforgettable. Write this proverb out several
times so that you will know it by memory and can share it with others.
July 27, Proverbs 27
A Loud and Early Blessing
Prayer: Lord, today help me say the right things the right
way at the right time. – In Jesus Name, Amen.
Read Proverbs 27
Observations to Make:
Write the word friend next to all the proverbs in
this chapter that seem to speak to the issue of friendship.
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 27.14 below.
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Here is another Proverb that comes back and
addresses the issue of our speech. This proverb indicates how we say something
and when we say something is just as significant as what we say. Taken as a curse could also be
understood to mean considered a nuisance,
or as an offense to God who
determines the course of a man’s day.
Live it!
When first encountering people in your day, stop,
think and pray about what should be the first words out of your mouth to this
person. Allow a warming up period before plunging into conversation. Control
your volume.
Share it!
Again, if you were teaching this proverb to a 7
year old, what are two or three points you would try to convey? How would you
do it?
June 28, Proverbs 28
Trust in God, Not In Yourself
Prayer: Lord, there are so many things I could trust in
other than you. Help me to put my trust and faith in you alone. – In Jesus
Name, Amen.
Read Proverbs 28
Observations to Make:
In this chapter the image of a roaring lion is
found in two of the Proverbs in this chapter. In one the image is positive and
in the other the image is negative. Find both references marking the one lion+
and the other lion-. Consider how Jesus used the image of yeast in both a
positive and negative way (the yeast as the Kingdom of God, and the yeast as
the evil and hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 28.26 below.
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Look up these verses and mark as listed.
Hosea 10.13 - Trusting in Self
Jeremiah 17.5 - Trusting in Man
1 Samuel 17.45 - Trusting in Weapons
Pr 18.11 – Trusting in Riches
Ps 118.9 - Trusting in Leaders
Isa 31.1 - Trusting in Government
Live it!
Which of these have you been tempted to trust in
this week? Confess this to the Lord. Tell the Lord you want to walk in His
Wisdom.
Share it!
Talk to someone else about the challenge of
trusting in these other things rather than the Lord. What would it look like
for you to walk in wisdom this week?
July 29, Proverbs 29
Snared
Prayer: Lord, help me get right with you so I don’t’ have
to be worried about being tripped up by my own sin! - In Jesus name. Amen.
Read Proverbs 29
Observations to Make:
Included in this proverb is one reference to
parental joy and one to parental sorrow. Find and identify the two proverbs.
Learn it! Write out Proverbs 29.6 below.
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Given the contents of this proverb, answer this
question: Why can a righteous man sing and be glad?
Live it!
What are the snares you may have set this week that
you are in danger of being trapped in yourself? Ask the Lord to help you remove
those snares and then sing and be glad.
Share it!
Doodle a picture of this proverb on a piece of paper. Write the proverb out underneath
and post it somewhere all can see!
Pick up next week’s study at church Sunday, or call
360-598-5377 for an e-mail copy.