Day 4 - Chapter 4

”I give you sound learning, so not forsake my teaching” ( Vs. 2 NIV) or “I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.” (Vs. 2 Message) People all over can tell us they have perfect advice, or teach exactly the way it should be done etc….. The truth is we all need to go deeper into Gods word and find it for ourselves. I absolutely believe that God prompts the Holy Spirit to speak through people all the time; I also believe that it is most important that we take the initiative to find the answers as well and not always rely on others.

Vs. 6 “Never walk away from wisdom – she guards you life.” (M) This might be hard to grasp, Find God- find wisdom- and we will know what paths we should walk down. By obtaining wisdom from God we are protected by simply knowing right from wrong which in the end leads us to eternal life or not.

“Evil people are restless unless they’re making trouble; they can’t get good night’s sleep unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.” (Vs 16-17 M) Can we say, ‘misery loves company.’

The message bible titles these next few verses as, “Learn it by Heart.” Vs 20-27 to me this is the way to live – can’t get any clearer than this….

20-22 Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they're bursting with health.

23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that's where life starts.
Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.

Verse 23 in the NIV says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This verse take me to Matthew 12:33-35 (New International Version) 33"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

I want nothing more than good- overflowing from my heart -out of my mouth and into others lives!!!