A Manual for Living: Wise Words for Your Week

In a dream God asked Solomon what he wanted most from Him.

I’m not sure how I would have responded. Probably a list of things that started with a fully landscaped pool in my dry Texas backyard. His response, “Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil.” (1 Kings 3:9)

While my answered desire would have allowed for some awesome pool parties, Solomon’s reign as King brought unprecedented prosperity to Israel through his God-given wisdom.

It’s no wonder why he’s known as the wisest-man-who-ever-lived and a number of his sayings were collected to create the book of Proverbs, which is also sub-headed in my bible as A Manual for Living.

As we are finding our flow in this new year, I thought it would be advantageous of us to focus on a handful of Solomon’s wise-words for this week:

1. Start with God.

“Start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.” – Proverbs 1:7 MSG

2. Guard your heart.

“Above all else, Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 NIV

3. Watch your step.

“Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.” – Proverbs 4: 25-26 MSG

4. Get good advice.

“For sound advice is a beacon, good teaching is a light, moral discipline is a life path.” – Proverbs 6:23

5. The Mundane Matters.

“Blessings accrue on a good and honest life.” – Proverbs 10:6a

Want more wisdom for your week and a manual for living?

Take just a few minutes and read a Proverb every day. There are 31 chapters, one for each day of the month.

Friend, in all your giving and getting, get wisdom.

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7

I'm cheering you on,