Encounter: Slowly read Proverbs 8:1-12 in The Passion Translation, underline any words or phrases that strike a cord in your own life. Be open to Holy Spirit as you ask God to speak to you through His Word.
As I walked across the old flat roof on the hardware store I could see the problem. For months, buckets were our best friends catching the leaks when the rains and snow came, and now it was clear there was a problem up on the roof. It was time to figure out how to stop the damage. Looking closer we could see cracking and separating of the roof materials to the point it was no longer protecting everything underneath. Water was seeping into spaces it should not have been and what once did the job was aging and no longer effective at doing its job to stop the water from causing permanent damage. We had to act quickly to protect what is valuable.
Living without God’s wisdom is like a leaky roof. You can only go so long trying to control the damage in your life with buckets to catch the rain, before it causes permanent damage. You need to lay a new roof, you need God’s wisdom, understanding and guidance to protect everything under your care.
This Sunday in worship we will look at five more characteristics of the wise that work together to create a strong roof over the foundation Christ has securely built our lives upon through His Word and Spirit that transforms our lives.
Like a brand-new roof that protects us from all that could be damaging, God tells us when we live transformed lives that are faithful, self-controlled, peaceable, prudent, as we seek godly counselors we don’t have to worry about what is up on the roof because,
“I’m calling to you, sons of Adam, yes, and to you daughters as well. 5 Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise. For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart that will change their inner being
In Proverbs 8, Wisdom calls out like a wise woman, warning and encouraging us at the crossroads of life. Do you hear her? Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? At the highest point along the way…
Pursuing God and applying wisdom from His Word will produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, righteousness, and truth (Gal 5:22-23). Let us ask God together to increase the manifestations of godly character in our lives to protect what is valuable to ensure all is well up on the roof!
Asking for Wisdom with you,
Pastor Tammy
Reflect: Write down in your journal what Wisdom gives those who live by her in Proverbs 8. Which of those gifts of wisdom do you need the most right now? Ask God for what wisdom you need and know as you ask God is ready to give you the wisdom you need generously!
Encourage: Share with a friend how the Wisdom challenge has helped you put a new “roof” on. Show them how practical the Bible can be. Give them a book of just Proverbs or show them how to go to the Daily Proverb on the Daily Audio Bible app.
Gather: Share with your small group what you have experienced as you have read through the Book of Proverbs. Which of the five characteristics above do you need the most help with and which one of the fruit of the Spirit is one you would like to see more of demonstrated in your relationships? Pray for one another to receive more of God’s wisdom.