Daily Bible Readings:
Monday, August 30. Read Luke 15-24. Proverbs describes Lady Wisdom as someone who builds a house for hospitality, cooks a sumptuous meal, and invites guests. 1) How is the “great dinner” described in Luke similar to Lady Wisdom’s meal? 2) What excuses did people offer? 3) Who did the host of Luke 15 ultimately invite to his banquet?
Tuesday, August 31. Read John 7:37-44. 1) Who did Jesus invite to come to him? 2) How are these similar to the ones who listen to Lady Wisdom’s invitation?
Wednesday, September 1. Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-10. 1) How does Paul describe his readers? 2) What is our task in that regard? 3) What do you think is required in order to be a builder according to Paul?
Thursday, September 2. Read Ephesians 2:10-22. 1) In this text, what are we? 2) What are we built on? 3) What if we tried to choose another foundation material?
Friday, September 3. Read Isaiah 55:1-2. 1) Who does God invite to “come to the waters?” 2) What makes these people different from all others? 3) What does Isaiah write about the alternative to “the waters?”
Saturday, September 4. Read Proverbs 9:1-6. This is Sunday’s sermon text.
Prayer for the Week:
Creator of Wisdom. God who tells us the truth and dwells in light. Please help us to be courageous, always willing to walk where wisdom leads. Fearless to live in the way and with the character she teaches us. Help us to not be deceived by the calling of lady Folly. In Jesus’ name I pray this. Amen.
Hymn of the Week:
Awake, my tongue, thy tribute bring
by John Needham, 1768
Awake, my tongue, thy tribute bring
To Him who gave thee power to sing;
Praise Him who is all praise above,
The source of wisdom and of love.
How vast His knowledge, how profound!
A deep where all our thoughts are drowned;
The stars He numbers, and their names
He gives to all those heavenly flames.
Through each bright world above, behold
Ten thousand, thousand charms unfold;
Earth, air, and mighty seas combine
To speak His wisdom all divine.
But in redemption, O what grace!
Its wonders, O what thought can trace!
Here, wisdom shines forever bright;
Praise Him, my soul, with sweet delight.
Devotional Article of the Week:
Where do you get your wisdom?
by Alan Smith
A first grade teacher collected some old, well-known proverbs. She gave each child in her class the first half of a proverb, and he or she had to come up with the rest. Here are the results:
As You Shall Make Your Bed So Shall You … Mess It Up.
Better to Be Safe Than … Punch A 5th Grader.
Strike While The … Bug Is Close.
It’s Always Darkest Before … Daylight Savings Time.
You Can Lead A Horse To Water But .. How?
Don’t Bite The Hand That … Looks Dirty.
You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New … Math.
If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You’ll … Stink In The Morning.
Love All, Trust … Me
An Idle Mind Is … The Best Way To Relax.
A Penny Saved Is … Not Much.
Two’s Company, Three’s … The Musketeers.
Don’t Put Off Tomorrow What … You Put On To Go To Bed.
Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You, Cry And … You Have To Blow Your Nose.
Children Should Be Seen And Not … Spanked Or Grounded.
If At First You Don’t Succeed … Get New Batteries.
You Get Out Of Something What You … See Pictured On The Box.
When The Blind Leadeth The Blind … Get Out Of The Way.
Ah, the “wisdom” of children! That’s exactly what proverbs are intended to be — an expression of wisdom, the result of years of experience expressed in a few concise words.
The Bible frequently talks about the importance of wisdom — not the wisdom of the world, but God’s wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to make right choices, and the only way to make right choices is to guide our lives by God’s Word.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” (Psalm 110:10)
May God bless you with wisdom as you open your heart today to His will.