Sagacity (Proverbs 3:18-22)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “sagacity.”when is the last time you had to make a really big decision? I can remember several times in my life when there was probably a better way than another, and I wanted to make sure to choose that. So, I began asking other people to help me in those decisions. It actually took a lot of work for me to trust others with certain pieces of my life. I think that’s kind of what the Christian life is all about.

“My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them…”

~Pr. 3:21

I talk a lot about how my pastors wife once told me that it was important for me each day to ask God to give me both wisdom and discernment. So I guess my question is this: from where do you get your common sense and discernment? Who are the people, readings, and other sources that give you information in making sound decisions? My prayer is that you add the tools that God gives you in your daily decisions, whether those decisions are big or small. If we seek to do things God’s way, I think that the overall outcome of life might have a pretty good chance of being better, as opposed to taking a different path.

Praying for you,

MO

Pugnacious (Proverbs 29:22)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “pugnacious.”  I remember growing up trying to keep my nose clean.  i needed to be on my best behavior so I could have a social life, play sports, etc.  I think I did pretty good job. My brother, on the other hand, had quite the difficult trek through high school. Part of it, and actually most of it, was probably the fact that he never really did anything bad. But, even worse, he was the one who was there to laugh when one of his friends did something stupid.

Angry people stir up conflict; hotheads cause much offense.” ~Pr. 29:22

My question is: who are the people that you spend the most time with? Like many high school kids, the friends that my brother chose to hang around with had a ton of fun…  many times at the expense of others. They were a pretty pugnacious bunch, always looking for something and someone to hassle. This was a pretty tough few years for my parents.  I realized by watching some of the strife that my brother got into, that much of it could’ve been avoided. My prayer is that you check the company that you keep. If we are the sum of  those we hang around with, it would be wise to make sure that those people have good character traits, people we want to be like. And, also as important, is knowing that you influence others, and should do your best as a Christian to give those people a reason to be more like you.

Praying for you,

MO

Clishmaclaver (Proverbs 10.19)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “clishmaclaver.”  Growing up I was always one to speak way before I listened. Then I began hanging out with some people who made wiser decisions than me on a more consistent basis, as opposed to the way I was used to doing them on my own. At first, of course, I did not want to listen to anyone. I believed I knew enough on my own to get through life. But, of course I was wrong. It wasn't until I started listening to wise counsel that I began to make decisions differently.

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” ~Pr. 10:19

My question is: who are the people in life that you give advice… and whose counsel do you listen to most? The mentors in my life have always listened to me and never sought to speak into my life more than they knew I was going to accept their words and counsel. I guess that's why I always went to those specific people. Most of the time they were reluctant to give me any words of advice, knowing that I was probably going to do things the way that I wanted to anyway. And that is why I always hung on every word that these people said. They were never about meaningless clishmaclaver. They always had my best interest in mind, and gave me exactly what I needed. Who are those kind of people in your life?

Praying for you,

MO

Crepuscular (Proverbs 7.1-11)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “crepuscular.” I remember growing up riding my bike with my friends a lot of the time. It did not really matter where we went, so much as we were away from our parents and embracing freedom. But no matter what, I always had to be home and the streetlights turned on. Dusk governed my life much of those younger years. My mom would often tell me well into my teenage years that nothing good happens after dark. Now of course, she was making a general statement, but with very specific intentions of helping me understand that I needed to be aware of what I was doing, and who I was with at all times. It reminds me of today's passage.

“He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.” ~Pr. 7:9

My question is: how are you allowing the Lord to guard your heart on a daily basis? Just like this young man was walking directly into a temptation, which he knew would overcome him… so do we flirt with our own daily temptations, like the desire to need more, do more, expect more or different things from God. Whatever it is that consumes your mind, whether thoughts or actions, make sure that they are fully devoted and fixed on God's plan for your life. My prayer is that the Lord protects you during those crepuscular moments in life… the times where the Evil One would like you to take your eyes off of Jesus and follow him down the road to sin. Isn't it great that we have an incredible Savior.

Praying for you,

MO

Too-too (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “too-too.”  It is amazing how many cool principles that we can learn from the book of Proverbs. When I was a new Christian I remember my group leader telling me that if I wanted to start getting better at my spiritual life, that going through a proverb a day would be a healthy recipe. He was correct. I still love reading the good stuff that I get from them each day.

My daughter, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the daughter he delights in.” ~Pr. 3:11-12

My question is: do you seek discipline from others to make you better? Sometimes we think that we have it all figured out.  We think that God’s discipline is too-too and annoying.  We let our pride get in the way of learning from others who are more experienced in life.  My prayer is that you find someone to share your thoughts with. Someone who is wise in the areas in which you would like to excel. You can be as good as you want, but it takes time to get there.  The process is always longer than we would like. But that is what makes success so sweet.

Praying for you,

MO 

Magniloquent (Proverbs 10.1-32)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “magniloquent.”  Life is filled with people that have an opinion they believe is right, for whatever the situation. Have you ever noticed how some people have an answer for everything? No matter what is going on, they have the solution. Well, Jesus warned us in the Bible that when it comes to our faith, it is important to remember that we need to listen to the counsel of wise individuals. Moving in the right direction is something we must focus on all of the time, and doing so means taking correct advice.

“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.” ~Pr. 10:31-32

My question is: who are the righteous people in in your life giving you the advice that is acceptable to God?  My prayer is that you take some time to sift through the way you connect with others and give them influence in your daily actions.  Give God the authority to put peeps in your path that can help you to be better.  Seek out those whose speech is gentle in nature, not those who are loud and magniloquent with there mouths.  God will be gracious to put the correct people in your life.  You just need to be ready to accept their encouragement.

Praying for you,

MO

Philosophaster (Proverbs 18:1-15)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “philosophaster.”

Most of us think we are pretty smart when were little kids.  But, somewhere down the line we realize that we don’t know very much… a philosophaster of sorts.  The sooner you learn this, the better chance we have of actually learning something that is worthwhile.  I have found over the years that if I invest my time into mentors, those people who can help me be a better person, I have a better chance of setting myself up for success.  I have bypassed a lot of frustrations over the years by listening to my mentors and having them give me advice when I didn’t necessarily wanted, but I really truly needed it.

"The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” ~Pr 18:15

My question is: where are you on your appreciation for acquiring knowledge?  What does that even mean to you?  I was always told that I was only as good as the people that I hang out with, and the books that I read.  I try to do both with the best possible.  My prayer is that you look towards others that have something to teach you.  If we associate ourselves with knowledgeable people, and read the things that we are supposed to, we can continue to become better people.  Not just because we have knowledge, but the way that we applied allows us to serve God a little bit more intentionally.  Go out today and seek some wisdom.

Praying for you,

MO

Hoyden (Proverbs 12:1-16)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “hoyden.”  The writer of Proverbs gives some great insight in this particular passage.  When speaking of the difference between a fool and a wise person, we see that someone who is in pursuit of the former always makes sure to listen to counsel.  I remember early on in my ministry, I believed that everything that I did was the right way to do stuff.  Unfortunately for me I had to learn from the school of hard knocks.  It wasn’t until I started listening to my mentor that I realized that I actually did have room in my cluttered arrogant head to gain wisdom.

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.” ~Pr. 12:16

My question is: do you seek counsel in your life from those who know what they are talking about?  I’m don't mean taking advice from just anyone... I mean really looking for wisdom from those who have fruit on the tree.  I feel very blessed to have the influence of so many phenomenal mentors over the years.  My prayer is that you are prudent in your quest for righteousness and self growth.  Don’t allow people to look at you as hoyden, or obnoxious and arrogant, but instead be a witness to them with your quest for humility and excellence.

Praying for you,

MO

Baleful (Proverbs 13:10-20)

Good morning ladies,

The word of the day is “baleful.”  Do you remember that one friend that you were not allowed to hang out with while growing up, especially if there was not any supervision from adults?  Well, if you don't remember then chances are… you are that friend that everybody's moms was talking about.  The fact is that there are people in each of our lives who have influence over us.  It is up to us to decide who will be those influences in our lives.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” ~Pr. 13:20

My question is: who are the peeps that have the most influence in your life? I remember one of my mentors saying that we are only as good as the people that we chill with, and the books that we read.  My prayer this morning is that you take a sort of inventory of the peeps that have influence in your life. Who’s opinion matters? Who do you look towards for advice.  Always remember that God wants you to spend time with those who make a posite impact in your life.

Praying for you,

MO