Proverbs 2: The Benefit to Wisdom

Verses 1-5 tell us how we can understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. This is a clear answer to anyone who asks how to seek the knowledge of God. And I myself have been asking this question. I want to fear the Lord and have this knowledge. These verses say, "If you take my words to heart and treasure my commands within you, if you pay close attention to wisdom, and let your mind reach for understanding, if indeed you call out for insight, if you ask aloud for understanding, if you search for wisdom as if it were money and hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and you will find the knowledge of God" (GWT). Verse six says where this understanding and knowledge come from: from the mouth of the Lord. This gives me so much comfort. I can stop seeking out things of this world for answers. Though I never really realized just how much I seek things of this world, I know that I do. Though I don't greed money or popularity or other things like that, I still try to find answers through non-biblical things. But these first few verses tell me that I can stop searching elsewhere. I just need to turn to God and He will speak this understanding and wisdom.

Verse twelve really speaks to me because of what I know of evil. It says, "Wisdom will save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things." I know all too well the power of evil. But this verse brings a promise that wisdom will save me. Evil has no power over me.

Verses 20-22 end this chapter with a charge: "So walk in the way of good people and stay on the paths of righteous people. Decent people will live in the land. People of integrity will remain in it. But wicked people will be cut off from the land and treacherous people will be torn from it."

What I love about Proverbs is the clear difference between righteous people and evil people. From the wise and the foolish. Within those last two verses, it outlines the vast difference between the "decent people" and the "wicked people." I don't know how anyone can read through Proverbs and still have a question about what may be right or wrong. After reading this passage, it is clear where I can get this understanding, knowledge, and wisdom I have been so longing for.

I had a huge wake-up call on Sunday. I realized that my priorities are not right. I oftentimes put God on the back burner when life gets busy with school, work, and even ministry. Yet I have had this hunger to grow closer to God. I had felt stuck for a long time about how in the world I could ever get close to God. But on Sunday it hit me: spend time in His Word and in prayer. If I just spend time with Him and draw near to Him, He will draw near to me. And that is what I so desire for my life.

New Focus

I think I need to refocus my life on what's important. I'll be graduating soon. I need to turn my focus to my ministry. I get so distracted with life that I can forget about God and His ministry. I do things on my own strength. I rely too much on my plans and ideas. But tonight at dinner Colossians 3:1-2 came to mind: "Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Too often I set my mind on earthly things. Like work, school, trying to learn Spanish, friends, family, etc. Yet at the same time, I know my passion is on things above and God's work through ministry. I haven't been fully living out my passions and desires. This past weekend showed me what I really do love. Though I'm an English speaking American, I love spending my time with the people from the Latino Ministry. Going to the home Bible Study Saturday night was unbelievable. And church today and then afterwards going to the chinese buffet with some people was exactly what I feel like I've always been missing. Not just the laughing, joking, and trying new foods, but the discussions we have. The serious things we talk about. The advice they give me. The care they have for me and each other. It's unbelievable.

I know I still have so much to learn and I have a lot of growing to do still in my faith. I always will. But now I have such a strong desire to reach a higher level of spiritual maturity. I want to reach the pont where God is my number one ALWAYS. Where my mind and heart are on heavenly things, not on earthly things. Where I live every day to bring glory to God and show the love of Jesus to everyone. I want to REALLY study the Bible to the point it changes me from the inside out that brings about real life changes. I want to live and breathe Jesus.

Proverbs 1: Listen to Wisdom

Events from today have really inspired me to read through the book of Proverbs. I have before, but I've never taken the time to really see what it's saying. I don't have a specific plan of action I'll be following, no schedule to stick to. I just want to go where the Holy Spirit leads me. I will be going through chapter by chapter, but other than that, there's no real structure. My prayer is that I can draw closer to God and allow Him to change me through this time of study.


I'm using three different translations for my study: TNIV, NASB, and God's Word Translation (I'll refer to it as GWT for simplicity reasons). On occasion I might use BibleGateway for a commentary. But I don't want to rely on man's understandings but rather let God speak to me directly from Scripture.


1:2-3 - The GWT uses the phrase "to understand deep thoughts." I feel like this is a great way of describing what the book of Proverbs is. Deep thoughts for us to ponder and to bring about a change in our lives. The GWT also says "to acquire the discipline of wise behavior." The TNIV and NASB say "to receive instruction..." Again, the word "acquire" to me feels like it's not simply instruction, but something that brings about change. It's amazing how this is exactly what I'm wanting for my life right now, and within the first few verses, this is what the book is all about. I want my life to reflect Christ and I want to listen to wisdom.
1:6 - this verse talks about understanding riddles. From what I remember of Proverbs, it contrasts those who are wise to those who are foolish. And there are some who won't understand what is being said and taught. I want to be one of those who can understand such "riddles."
1:7 - "but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (NASB, TNIV). I feel like I've done this plenty in the past, and I want to change so that I listen to instruction and crave wisdom.

1:10 - This verse talks about not letting sinners entice you and lure you in. Though it's easy to say, "I won't let sinners control me," it happens to us all. We get sucked into gossipping, complaining too much, cheating, lying, etc. Through the influence of nonChristians in our lives, we wind up sinning when we didn't want to.
1:15 - "Do not even set foot on their path." Not even setting foot on their path seems to me like even being associated with them in their sin is unwise. Avoid getting involved with anything sinful and evil.

1:23-28 - Here God is warning what will happen if sinners do not repent; He will laugh and make fun of them. He will not answer when they call, nor will they be able to find Him. This is a scary thought. That God Himself will do these things. However, in verse 23 He says that for those who repent, He shows love. I feel like this shows the nature of God being both loving and just, that He cannot stand sin. Verse 25 says, "You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you"(GWT). This seems like our very nature as humans. We think we can do what we want; we don't care about the consequences; we live independently from God. But we can clearly see what happens when we live that way.
1:29 - "because they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord." This verse explains God's actions. And it is also a frightening realization of what could happen if we choose to ignore God's wisdom and if we don't fear Him.

Spiritual Gifts and Personality Types

I took this spiritual gifts and personality type questionnaire last year in my Intro to Ministry class, and we're using it this year in our Leadership in Ministry class. As we were reviewing it today in class, I realized just how accurate it is. My combination of personality types and spiritual gifts seem to really match who I am. I feel like it's a clear way of describing who I am and how I act and why. Because I am a combination of two personality types, some things cancel each other out. Other things don't apply to me because of the other personality type I am, but overall everything is very true of me.

Spiritual Gifts

Evangelism

Christians with the gift of evangelism feel compelled to win souls. They seem to have the ability to communicate the gospel very effectively. Their concern for witnessing to a lost and dying world is evident. They desire to be involved in ministries to reach people for Christ. The gift of evangelism motivates them to want nearly every message they hear to include the gospel and an invitation to trust Christ. Missions and outreach are important to them. Always being ready to give an answer to every person is their goal. Conversations seem to often turn toward eternal values. The worth of souls and the task of evangelism are most important to the evangelist’s motivation. In a word: Dynamic            Overuse: Zeal            Goal: Build disciples, not statistics

Abilities: Comfortably share the gospel with results

Opportunities: Visitation, outreach, missions

Warning: Don’t think everyone should be as dedicated to evangelism as you are

Reward: Protecting others from poor decisions

Serving/Ministry/Helps

When you think of Christians who serve faithfully behind the scenes, you think of those with the gift of serving/ministry/helps. They are interested in blessing others to serve the Lord. They love to help others. Motivated by a strong sense of need, they feel like “someone has to do it.” Caring and concerned for others, they find themselves doing what no one else likes to do. They tend to do whatever called for. Flexible, they adapt to many challenges. They simply enjoy helping others and meeting needs. Often truly selfless, those with this gift like to be involved. In a word: Selfless            Overuse: Takes on too much            Goal: Be a servant, not a martyr

Abilities: Serving behind the scenes

Opportunities: Nursery, Sunday School, ushering

Warning:  Don’t become weary in well doing

Reward: Knowing you make a difference doing what no one else may want to do

Mercy

Christians with the gift of showing mercy demonstrate genuine sensitivity to suffering. They are compelled to help people reduce pain. They are concerned more with the person, than the reason for the suffering. Focusing on the feelings of those who hurt, showers of mercy desire to minister by “being there” when people really need them. Sympathizing and/or empathizing are their specialties. While others may care more about why, what, when, or how, those with the Showing Mercy gift are interested in “who” needs tender loving care.            In a word: Caring            Overuse: Too sensitive            Goal: Wise insights, not foolish responses

Abilities: Giving sympathy and/or empathy to the hurting

Opportunities: Hospital, benevolence, counseling

Warning: Don’t be a sucker for everyone

Reward: Knowing you helped those who no one else would help.

Personality Type

“S” Behavior (Passive, people-oriented)

Descriptions: submissive, steady, stable, security-oriented, shy, servant, specialist

Basic Motivation: Stability and support

Desires: an area of specialization; identification with a group; established work patterns; security of situation; consistent familiar environment

Responds Best to Leader Who: is relaxed and friendly; allows time to adjust to changes; allows to work at own pace; gives personal support

Needs to Learn: Change provides opportunity; friendship isn’t everything; discipline is good; boldness and taking risks is sometimes necessary

Abilities: Support, serve, specialize, finish what others start, work behind the scenes, do what needs to be done

Opportunities: On call whenever needed, hospital visitation, encourage new members, office, keep records, telephoning, counseling

Warning: Shyness hinders your opportunities to do great things for God. Be more aggressive and assertive. Be careful, people may take advantage of you.

Reward: Believing God’s promise that you can do all things through Him who strengthens you, step out and try the difficult. You may be surprised what God can do.

Leader Style: the sweet, steady, and stable leaders. They seldom demand anything. They are friendly and loyal, but tend to be too nice. They need to be more aggressive and assertive. Overly sensitive to shortcomings, “S”s need to be more confident. They hate to take risks. They often miss opportunities because of their caution. Reliable and relaxed, they are more reserved.

Follower Style: don’t make quick decisions. They like leaders who are understanding and gentle. They want to establish a relationship with a leader who will be around for a long time. “S”s are concerned about service and stability. When it comes to sensible and slow judgment, “S” followers feel right at home. They like familiar and low-key environments.

Under Pressure: Becomes subservient, insecure, fearful, weak-willed, withdrawn, sympathizer, sucker.

Sources of Irritation: Pushiness, instability, inflexibility, anger, disloyalty, insensitivity, pride, discrimination, unfairness

Needs to: Be – strong, courageous, challenging, aggressive, assertive, confrontational, enthusiastic, outgoing, expressive, cautious, bold.

“C” Behavior (Passive, task-oriented)

Descriptions: Competent, compliant, cautious, calculating, careful, contemplative

Basic Motivation: Quality and correctness

Desires: Clearly defined tasks; details; limited risks; assignments that require precision and planning; time to think

Responds Best to Leader Who: Provides reassurance; spells out detailed operating procedures; provides resources to do task correctly; listens to suggestions

Needs to Learn: Total support is not always possible; thorough explanation is not everything; deadlines must be met; more optimism will lead to greater success

Abilities: Analyze, improve, discern, calculate, follow directions, do the right thing.

Opportunities: Finance Committee, long-range planning, office, record information, research, teach, organize, order curriculum

Warning: Due to your cautiousness, criticism comes easy. Don’t always be pessimistic and hard to convince. Increase your faith in God and trust those you follow.

Reward: Ministers need competent people to fulfill their visions. You can be a great blessing if you continually look at the possibilities, rather than impossibilities.

Leader Style: competent and compliant. They go by the book and want to do everything just right.  they are thorough and detail-oriented, but tend to be too informative. “C”s need to be more positive and enthusiastic. They answer questions people aren’t asking. When optimistic, “C”s are extremely influential. They should not concentrate on problems, but focus on potentials.

Follow Style: “Consumer Report” type followers. They analyze each decision. They love research and development. “C”s are quality oriented followers. They don’t like quick or costly decisions. Picky and precise, they follow with their minds, rather than hearts. “C”s seldom respond positively at first. They often want time to think about their decisions. Once convinced, they follow best.

Under Pressure: Becomes moody, critical, contemplative, negative, worrisome

Sources of Irritation: Incompetence, disorganization, foolishness, dishonesty, inaccuracy, wastefulness, inconsistency, blind faith, false impressions

Needs to: Loosen up, communicate, be – joyful, positive, tolerant, compromising, open, trusting, enthusiastic.

Behavioral Blend: S/C

“S/C” types are stable and contemplative types. They like to search and discover the facts. They like to weigh the evidence and proceed slowly to a logical conclusion. They enjoy small groups of people. They do not like speaking in front of large crowds. They are systematic and sensitive to the needs of others, but can be critical and caustic. They are loyal friends, but can be too fault-finding. They need to improve their enthusiasm and optimism. They are motivated by kind and conscientious opportunities to slowly and correctly do things.

Combining Personalities with Spiritual Gifts

“S” Type with Evangelism

Sweet and soft type Christians with the gift of evangelism are the most gentle witnesses. They steadily share the gospel. They don’t like to force issues. They tend to be too nice. Scoffers often waste “S”-evangelists’ time. Knowing they will go the extra mile, some people take advantage. Avoiding confrontation, these stable types prefer “friendship evangelism.” But their motivation to win souls often overcomes their natural reluctance to speak out. “S”-evangelists enjoy bringing people to Jesus without a lot of fanfare.

“C” Type with Evangelism

Cautious and compliant type Christians with the gift of evangelism are the most thorough witnesses. They like to go point-by-point, convincing people to understand every detail. They try to have an answer for every question. But they can overwhelm with too many facts. “C”-evangelists are often more concerned with the task, rather than the person in need. As competent individuals, they need to be more flexible and friendly. “C”-evangelists can turn doubt into a fascinating opportunity for Christ.

“S” Type with Serving/Ministry/Helps

Steady type Christians with the gift of serving/ministry/helps are every church’s dream – the backbone of ministry. If anything needs to get done, they faithfully serve without recognition. They are not bossy, but should be more assertive. People take advantage of “S”-servants. They should be more aggressive in seeking help. Always sensitive to the feelings of others makes them sought out. But sometimes they solve problems for those who may need to feel the pressure of their irresponsibility. “S”-servants are the most stable servants.

“C” Type with Serving/Ministry/Helps

Competent type Christians with the gift of serving/ministry/helps are detail-oriented. They don’t like loose ends. If anything needs to be done right, they are prefect for the job. “C”-servants tend to be difficult to work with. They can be too picky. They need to be friendlier and cooperative. Often feeling like they are the only ones who ever do anything, they need to appreciate others more. Positive attitudes and enthusiasm are recommended but difficult for “C”-servants. They can be the hardest working and compliant servants.

“S” Type with Showing Mercy

Sensitive type Christians with the gift of showing mercy are most loving. They are sweet servants always ready to help. They specialize in times of suffering. “S”-showing mercy types may be so concerned that they miss opportunities to teach lessons. They can also be fooled by insincere cries for help. They may need to be more assertive with those who use their pain as excuses. They should be more demanding. They may need to share truth, rather than always listening. When people hurt, “S”-showing mercy types shine.

“C” Type with Showing Mercy

Compliant type Christians with the gift of showing mercy are extremely concerned about others. They see needs no one else sees. They tend to know exactly what to say. They are careful not to miss opportunities to help, but can be critical of those who don’t get involved. “C”-showers of mercy may try to analyze why people hurt. Their conservative care is often appreciated. They need to be optimistic. Enthusiasm and inspiration are often lacking. “C”-showers of mercy are competent individuals who care about the sufferings of others.

Peru 2011 in Review

This is the Peru trip in review written by two women from my church. Check it out:

Peru 2011 in Review