Showing posts with label Proverb 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Proverb 3. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Wisdom Wednesdays - Flourishing in Old Age Part 3





Proverbs 3 is a treasure vault of how to flourish in old age.  Just look at this wonderful promise:

My son, don’t forget my teaching,
keep my commands in your heart; 
 for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.
Proverbs 3:1-2 (CJB) 


I love reading this and meditating on the fact that if I keep His commandments, He will add many years of LIFE and PEACE to my existence on this earth.  It's a great thing just to be alive, but to be alive with peace is the cherry on top.  Peace is something I prize and pursue with all of my being.

But wait!  That's not all!  Here's another wonderful promise for old age:
  
Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil. 
This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.
Proverbs 3:7-8 (CJB)

Here's another great benefit of obedience -- a healthy body and strong bones.  These are things I prize, too.  As one grows older, health and strength can diminish.  But, fearing Adonai and turning from evil will preserve them.  Oh, and lest we forget, part of this old-age promise is “don’t be conceited about your own wisdom.”

I've said it before and will repeat it:  about twenty years ago, I got on my knees and asked G-d to lead me to His wisdom.  Not the wisdom of the world.   Not a denomination.  Not a religion.  Not a teacher.  Not a preacher.  And, most of all, not my own.  I wanted His wisdom.  He led me to **Messianic Judaism and observance of His Torah.  That is the wisdom spoken of in this passage.

We're not finished yet, Gail-Friends.   Another benefit is HAPPINESS! Look at this:

 Happy the person who finds wisdom,
the person who acquires understanding;
for her profit exceeds that of silver,
gaining her is better than gold,
she is more precious than pearls —
nothing you want can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand,
riches
and honor in her left.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who grasp her;
whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.
Proverbs 3:13-18 (CJB)

While on a visit to an assisted living facility, I met an amazing woman in her 90's.  Her faith and her attitude are an inspiration for all who know her.  One day, she sat at the table with a lady who did nothing but complain.  My friend said cheerily, "I'm going to have to move to another table.  I'm too happy for you!"  Don't you love it?  That's the kind of happy old woman I aspire to be.  Well, that's the kind of old woman I am right now.  I'm blessed, I'm happy, and I'm at peace.

I challenge you, dear Gail-Friends, to do a study of Proverbs 3.  Make a list of all the benefits of obedience to Adonai's wisdom.  You will be surprised, as I was, by the length of the list.  You will see how it touches every area of life with blessing.

** You can learn more about Messianic Judaism by clicking on this LINK on my blog.

You may enjoy reading Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Wisdom Wednesdays # - Are you seeking the Truth?


I am so grateful for my Bible.  It helps me see the good and the beautiful in my life.  The Scriptures have led me to wisdom, which is more valuable than any amount of money.  A billion dollar lottery is tiny compared to the wealth of wisdom. 

In my reading of the Scriptures today, I was impressed with this passage in Proverbs 3, and I highlighted the benefits of following G-d's ways:

13 Happy the person who finds wisdom,
the person who acquires understanding;
14 for her profit exceeds that of silver,
gaining her is better than gold,
15 she is more precious than pearls —
nothing you want can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand,
riches and honor in her left.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who grasp her;
whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.

And there is even more.  I encourage you to read the whole chapter and write down the many gifts of wisdom.  

True wisdom is not just reading the Scripture.  Wisdom is obedience to G-d's ways...not the ways of men, churches, religions, or denominations.  

I can't tell you how many times I've heard teachers and preachers say, "The Old Testament is not relevant to today."  And yet, those same teachers pick and choose the parts of the Old Testament they like.  A good example is tithing.  Yes, they love that one.

Beloved, these are false teachers.  Yeshua said they are ravenous wolves who have come to kill, steal and destroy the sheep (Matthew 7:15-20)  Don't follow a teacher who disregards the Torah** and the Old Testament.  Yeshua embraced it and obeyed it.  After all, He is the author.  He is the G-d of the entire Old Testament.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8)

Yeshua also said, "If you love me, keep my commandments."  (John 14:15)  Remember, the New Testament had not been written at that time.  Also keep in mind, Yeshua is G-d in the flesh, the author of Torah.  

Until I began to study Torah, I puzzled over some of the sayings of Yeshua.  Now I understand them.  I encourage you to study the Torah.  It is the basis of all understanding of Scripture.  It is the source of wisdom (Truth).

One day we'll stand before G-d and answer to Him alone. So, don't look to a man, a religion, a denomination, or a teacher. Get on your knees with your Bible and seek Him alone. If you are sincerely seeking, you will find the Truth. Then, it's up to you to obey it.  

Remember the Ethiopian eunuch - he was reading the scroll of Isaiah, and seeking to understand.  G-d sent His messenger, Phillip,  to guide him to the Truth (Acts 8:26-40).  If you seek, you will find:


Matthew 7:7
“Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.


2 Chronicles 15:2
He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Y’hudah and Binyamin! Adonai is with you, as long as you are with him; if you seek him, you will find him; but if you abandon him, he will abandon you!

I believe our lives, families, country, and the world can find peace if wisdom is found and applied.  The chapter quoted in Chronicles above is a good example.  Wisdom (obedience to ADONAI) has been replaced with un-truths and half-truths (lies), and society is bearing the consequences.

I encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 15, Matthew 7, and Proverbs 3.  They are all related.  The common theme is "wisdom equals obedience to G-d's ways".

Here is what the Bible says about Truth:  "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law (Torah) is Truth."  (Psalm 119:142)   The whole chapter is compelling if your are sincerely seeking the Truth.


** The Torah includes the first five books of the Bible:  Genesis, Exodux, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
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