Thus far the most transforming device of the 21st century is the smart phone. In the palm of our hand we have a device that connects to everyone who is important to us (and so many who aren’t). In addition, we have access to “the cloud”-- the worldwide web -- also known as the information super highway. Through this small wonder of technology we can; call, connect, text, email, book hotels and flights, find restaurants, be guided via GPS, do research, take pictures, video breaking news, read, edit, and write. It is absolutely amazing.
As smart as the smart phone is though, sad to say, it is not often possessed by what appears to be intelligent life. In fact, owners of smart phones are known to do incredibly stupid things. Some smart phone users send inappropriate pictures, others text while driving. Still others accidentally drop their devices in the toilet. (How the phones get in the bathroom I’ll never know). It is a shame that smart phones can’t enable us to become smart people.
I really want to become a smart person. By that I don’t necessarily mean book smart. I want to be smart in how I live. I guess what I am saying is that I want to be wise and live wise. This summer I am committing myself to becoming a wiser person. Along that line, here’s the good news for me as well as you. There’s an app for that.
The book of Proverbs in Old Testament was written in order for us “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding…. (Proverbs 1:2).” The LORD in His infinite wisdom gave us an app that can help us to become wise. That app is the book of Proverbs. If I will expose myself to its teaching and apply its principles to my life I can become a wise person.
I want to challenge you to make reading Proverbs a goal of yours this summer. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. If I read one chapter a day beginning July 1st I can actually read the book through twice this summer (there are 31 days in July and 31 days in August). It’s very easy to know what chapter of Proverbs I am supposed to be on. What ever the day of the month, that’s the chapter I should be reading. For example, on the fourth of July I’ll be reading the fourth chapter of Proverbs. How easy is that?
To make our study complete we will be doing three other things. On Sunday morning beginning July 11th I will be preaching on select passages from Proverbs. In addition, on Wednesdays this summer we will be studying the book of Proverbs and I strongly suggest you come out and study with us. Finally, we will be sharing our thoughts about what we are reading and learning through our blog page at http://proverbssmartsummer.blogspot.com/2011/06/smart-summer.html. Please visit the page every few days and share with us what God is showing you through your reading in Proverbs.
I hope this summer brings rest, relaxation and refreshment. More than that I hope all of us are wiser when it draws to a close. Take me up on the Proverbs challenge. Put down that cool phone and open that awesome book called the Bible to the book of Proverbs. Start reading. Get smart.
In His service,
Pastor Dave Watson
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ReplyDeleteproverbs 15
ReplyDeleteWhat we feed our minds is just as important as what we feed our bodies. The kinds of books we read, the people we talk with, the music we listen to and the movies we watch are all part of our mental diet. We should be discerning because what we feed out mind influences our total health and well being. Our attitudes color our personality. we cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. we should fill our thoughts with the Good things, Godly things in life. This was what got Paul through his imprisonment. It can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living.
I vow to check my attitude everyday, and then my mind examine what I allow to enter my mind and choose what to dwell on, make the necessary changes with the help of my Lord. This choice is mine. No one can take this from me.