WISDOM NUGGETS

"A wise man will hear and increase in learning."  (Proverbs 1:5a - KJV)

Wisdom comes through experiences that either we have encountered and that have taught us, or through others experienes that we permitted ourselves to glean from.  In either case, it is a wise person who has learned from those experiences and increased the quality of their lives.

Nugget #1
 
Discipline doesn't always mean being punished for wrong doing.  Discipline can mean being taught something you need to know or practice something you need to perfect.

An ice skater disciplines him/herself in order to perfect their craft.  A singer, football/baseball player, golfer, teacher, seamstress, etc., all discipline themselves to perfect their craft.  A runner will discipline their eating habits, their running skill by running in all types of weather.

One word opposite the word discipline is careless.  This verifies the fact that the practice of discipline dispels the characteristics of carelessness.

Suppose we talk too much.  By that I mean we have not learned how not to be a blabber mouth to the wrong persons.  Discipline will help us keep our business to ourselves until we determine if a person can be trusted.

I know of a person who learned the art of keeping their personal affairs to themselves through a hard experience which they suffered.  Although the experience suffered was not pleasant; yet, it taught them that 'nobody can know what you do not tell them.'  This lesson kept them in a new situation where they were befriended by and individual.  The friendship between the two seemed like it was going to be a good solid one.  But as time went on, the person began to notice that their new friend was a gossiper.  They went around gathering bits of information then whispering it to others, like a bee pollinating from flower to flower.  As the person beheld the undisciplined fault in their new friend, they were grateful that their past experience caused them to practice discipline in sharing their own personal affairs.

Discipline is not learned simply in principle or theory; for discipline is an action that must be put into practice.

In Proverbs Chapter 3, a portion of that scripture states:  "Don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline, don't sulk under his correction."  (Message Bible)

When we realize that God's discipline or the word correction doesn't mean a punishment for wrong doing, then we are open to:  "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."  (Proverbs Chapter 3 - Message Bible.)

Bible Trivia Questions
1.  What was the name of Jesus mother?
2.  What was the name of the garden where Adam and Eve lived.
3.  With what food did Jesus feed 5000 people.
4.  What method did the Romans use to kill Jesus.
5.  From which part of Adam's body did God create Eve.
6.  Who, when accused of being with Jesus, lied and said that he did
      not know him three times.
7.  Which creature tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit?
8.  At Christ's crucifixion what did the soldiers place on his head?
9.  What is the first line of the Lord's prayer?
10.   What relationship was Ruth to Naomi?

Inspirational Bible Verse of the Week
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Bible Trivia Questions - Answers
1.   Mary (Matthew 1:18)
2.   Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8)
3.   Loaves of bread and fish  (Matthew 14:19)
4.   Crucifixion (Mark 15:25)
5.   Rib (Genesis 2:21)
6.   (Simon) Peter (Matthew 26:69-74)
7.   Serpent (Genesis 3:1-6)
8.   Crown of Thorns (Matthew 27:29)
9.   Our Father which art in heaven (Matthew 6:9)
10.  Daughter-in-law (Ruth 1:4)

**Come back next week to read an excerpt of an original book written by Sheila Mae Flurry and find out how to receive a free copy on CD.**