Wisdom and Discipline

Happy New Year!  Yes, I know it is the 6th of January, but it is a new year nonetheless and I always get excited for a new year.  It somehow signals a fresh start - a new beginning - a clean slate.  I always try to make the most of opportunities.

But this is not a New Year's post, exactly.  It actually comes from the 1st - chapter of Proverbs, that is.  Proverbs is one of the most read books in my Bible.  Since the chapters correspond with the days of the month, I think it is great to add a Proverb to your daily Bible reading.  Which brings me to this post.

I was reading the first chapter in Proverbs, which starts by laying out the purpose for the book:

 1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.

 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
      to help them understand the insights of the wise.
 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
      to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
      knowledge and discernment to the young.

 5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.
      Let those with understanding receive guidance
 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables,
      the words of the wise and their riddles.

 7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
      but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

These are exactly what we all need this year - wisdom and discipline - and you can learn these through study of the Proverbs.  Growing in wisdom and discipline will not only help your finances, but your relationship with God, your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your church life, and your work.  All of your life will be affected.

So let me encourage you in 2009 to make reading from Proverbs part of your daily life.  If this simple task is your only achievement for the year, it will be a fruitful year, because if this is your only achievement it will not be your only achievement! (You may have to read that sentence a couple of times)

And along with it, Psalm 119 (the longest in the Bible) examines the importance of wisdom.

Receive the instruction and apply it in your life.  And as a friend of mine says, "Make it a great year!"