How do you make decisions and keep those decisions strong? How do you change?
Luke 16 tells a parable about a dishonest manager who was fired by his master and shrewdly formed alliances with his master's debtors. When confronted with a problem, rather than complain or blame someone, we should take initiative and use the common sense, mind and skills God has given us to connect with and influence people. God gives us tremendous opportunities and we are not to waste them. God has given us free will and He calls us to be responsible. Don't wait for someday, someway to become the person you want to be. Learn to make wise decisions every day and be very shrewd with the way you use your gifts, abilities and talents.
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Eastgate
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Proverbs tells us that God grants wisdom to those who ask. Wisdom is
- the ability to take God's truth and apply it to everyday situations;
- looking at life from God's perspective; and
- responding to the circumstances of life in a Christ-like manner.
We aren't born wise. We have to work to attain wisdom by acquiring a disciplined and prudent life. Discipline is learning from correction. Prudence is the practical knowledge in the everyday details of life. We are to do that which is right, just and fair. We are to respect the dignity and sanctity of each human life and treat each other with honor. The foundation of wisdom is the fear of the lord. To fear the lord means to acknowledge God's gracious authority, and that it is an authority higher than ours. Fearing the lord is having a posture of humility and being open to being taught by God's Holy Spirit. (Proverbs 1:1,5,6)
Proverbs talks of relationships and the use of our tongue. Self-control and amazing love are displayed through the use of our tongues. (Proverbs 10:12; 11:12,13, 15; 12:19, 22, 25; 15:1&3; 17:17)
Proverbs talks a lot about work. When we understand how God has wired us and discovered our talents, we had better use them. God created us to work. We are to answers God's call and do our work with all of our might and with humility and excellence. Doing our work well is closely tied to morality. Laziness destroys and is deceptive. (Proverbs 6:6 & 18:9)
Summary submitted by Karen Walsh
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