Scripture
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
~Proverbs 8:13, NIV
Quote
If the other planets are inhabited, they must be using earth as their insane asylum.
~George Bernard Shaw
Some years ago a Country Music singer {Billy Currington} had a song entitled: “God is great, beer is good and people are crazy.” It’s a fact that Country Music singers are not theologians but bless Billy, it got two out of three: God is great and people are crazy. I have a sermon based on this song title: God is great, Jesus is good and people are crazy.” In Proverbs there are at least five different kinds of people: the wicked, the wise, the scoffer [fun maker], the simple and the fool. There is a lot in Proverbs about the wise and Dr. Wiersbe {who I understand is still living and calls Junior Hill from time to time} gives us ten characteristics of a wise person in his commentary on Proverbs.
- WISE PEOPLE LISTEN to instruction, especially from the word of God.
- WISE PEOPLE PROFIT FROM REBUKE. They are teachable and will take correction.
- WISE PEOPLE FEAR THE LORD
- WISE PEOPLE HANG OUT WITH WISE PEOPLE
- WISE PEOPLE PRESERVE AND CONSERVE. They are not wasteful. They are note takers. They learn from mistakes.
- WISE PEOPLE SHUN EVIL. They have a healthy fear of evil and want nothing to do with it.
- WISE PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE FOOLISH RISKS. They don’t tempt God nor toy with destruction.
- WISE PEOPLE PRACTICE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
- WISE PEOPLE ARE DILIGENT IN THEIR WORK. They don’t goof off and waste time.
- WISE MEN SEEK CHRIST AND POINT OTHERS TO CHRIST.
There is supporting scripture for all ten but I spent the day at the hospital and put this together this morning very early. I didn’t have much time because I wanted to get a little sleep. As I have said a hundred times, we never know what a day will bring forth. I was doing my morning bible study when Hannah called to tell me about Larry. I was not expecting this: I knew he was sick but I thought we had more time. His lungs were full of fluid and they had to sedate him to keep him from fighting for breath. It took the medication a few minutes to work and then he went to sleep. He was able to talk to the family before they put him under. Larry was still living when I left at midnight but his prognosis is not good. We need to pray for this entire family. They have suffered a lot of loses in the past few years. I want to thank my small group for praying yesterday. God bless you all and I hope you have a good day. Happy birthday Mandy, she is 39 today.