The book of Proverbs devotes a considerable amount of space to discussing two types of people; the sluggard and the wise worker. The first we are to not be like while the second we are to pattern ourselves after.

Join Nate as he discusses missions in the early church and gives an update on Matt and Jeannine.

It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the now and lose sight of the things that we are to be doing as followers of Jesus. In Acts, the early church provides us great insight into what we should be doing during all seasons of life.

Proverbs has a lot to say about your mouth. It does so using terms like tongue, lips, mouth, speech, words. If you take to heart what Proverbs teaches about your tongue, your speech will improve and become a blessing.

The book of Proverbs puts a high premium on developing a teachable spirit. Proverbs speaks of this in terms of accepting discipline, reproof, instruction and correction. In general, these proverbs are dealing with teachableness. Being teachable, not just being willing to learn from others, but seeking to learn from others, is a quality you need to possess if you’re going to become a wise person.

The Christian life is meant to be a life of spiritual transformation. God’s goal is to re-form you to be like Jesus; to think, feel and act like Jesus. This is all part of God’s salvation plan for you. It’s not an add-on or an after-thought. God’s salvation plan has always been multi-faceted; to first restore you to a living relationship with God and then to re-form you into the likeness of Jesus.

Wisdom is valuable, but it will not fall in your lap. If you want it, you have to go and get it.

Death is separation: physical death is separation of the soul and body. Spiritual death is separation between us and God. God is holy and pure. We are unholy and impure. God cannot have relationship with us. In addition, God is just. The wrongs we have committed must be judged and punished in order for justice to be served.

If your life is like building a house, let your parents’ wisdom be the foundation. Be humble enough to admit that your parents are wiser than you. Be thoughtful enough to recognize that nobody loves you more or is more concerned for your well-being than your parents. Build on their foundation with the wisdom God will show you from His Word and with the wisdom you will gain through experience.

As we begin our series in the Proverbs, “Skillful Living”, we will see how the authors of these Proverbs (mostly Solomon), give clear and concise instruction in Skillful Living. These instructions are based on such clear and simple principles, that I believe we will find them just as helpful in our time as they were in the time of Solomon over 3000 years ago. Over the next number of weeks, let us sit at the feet of Solomon and company, and learn the principles of Skillful Living. For this week, let us start by thinking about the supplies that we will need for our trip to be most successful.