Daily Inspirations from the NIV

Image by Windsors Child via Flickr

Good Evening to All!


I chose this picture to go along with this first verse because when is there a better time to be in solitude with God but in the quietness and the beauty of sunrise. To be able to hear God's "still small voice" whispering words of wisdom"?

Verses for Long Life
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver,
and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

Proverbs 3:13-17

King James Version

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding.
for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,
and the gain thereof than fine gold.
She is more precious than rubies:
and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Length of days is in her right hand,
and in her left hand , riches and honour.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.

To me, this verse on the surface means that it is more important to have Wisdom than precious jewels or money. Do not mistake knowledge for wisdom. Anyone can have knowledge. All they have to do is open a book and/or go to school. Wisdom on the other hand to me is acquired through different means. You get wisdom first and foremost by reading God's Word and praying that He will give you wisdom. Also, through experience, be it good experiences or bad. I have known people with an over-abundance of "book-smarts, but when it came to common sense or "life's wisdom" as I like to call it, they had none.

WISDOM is the Most Important thing a person could ever ask for. Look at King Solomon. He asked God to give him the wisdom to rule his people and look how he prospered. Of course, after a while he forgot and got greedy, then went crazy.

I know the Bible says that God wants us to prosper. I also believe that even though everyone likes to think He means money-wise, I think He wants us to prosper spiritually first, then the other will come. I'm not saying that He wants us all to stay poor, just that He wants our priorities to be in line with His first, and He doesn't need money. Not only that, but His Word says, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He Doesn't Lie.

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Do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
'in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:1-6

King James Version
My son, forget not my law;
but let thine heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and long life, and peace,
shall they add to thee.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee:
bind them about thy neck;
write them on the table of thine heart:
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him
and he shall direct thy paths.

What this verse puts on my heart is that God wants us to love Him, live for Him, keep his commandments ). God has many more commands as well as the "Ten Commandments". I can't help but believe that people are misguided if they succumb to the idea "I follow the Ten Commandments, I don't kill, or steal, or commit adultery, so I'm gonna go to heaven. Please search out your Bible. There is so much more to it than that. He gives us a lot of "commands" which He wants us to follow that don't necessarily sound like they would be a "heaven or hades" issue, but the idea of knowing that God wants us to do something and not doing it is the same as disobeying and disobedience is a sin. I will leave that thought. Also, when you love someone, such as your parents or your spouse, don't you try and make them happy in any way possible? You wouldn't deliberately hurt them by not doing as they ask, I'm sure. That's what I think God feels. He gave His life for us and if we can't do a little thing like love Him
and do what He asks, why should we be allowed to enter into His kingdom and live with Him for eternity? Can you imagine living with some one who was indifferent to you, or did the opposite that would make you happy for eternity? I wouldn't want to be in that household.

God wants us to lean on Him, depend on Him, ask Him for His advice. If we would do that everything would turn out so much better. He knows our past, present, and future. Therefore He knows what is best for us at any given time better than we do ourselves. Give Him ALL the Glory and Honor, for we are NOTHING without Him. We should ALWAYS remember that.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

Love & Prayers,