SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
MEMORY VERSE
“A fool is reckless and careless.” Proverbs 14:16 esv
BACKGROUND
Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, is a tidal island in England connected to the mainland by a narrow road. Twice a day, the sea covers the causeway.
Signs alert visitors to the dangers of crossing during high tide. Yet, tourists regularly disregard the warnings and often end up sitting atop submerged cars or swimming to raised safety huts where they can be rescued.
The tide is predictable, as sure as the rising sun. And warnings are everywhere; you can’t possibly miss them. Yet, as one writer described,
Lindisfarne is “where the reckless try to outrace the tide.”
Proverbs tells us that it’s foolish to be “reckless and careless” (14:16 esv). A reckless person has little regard for wisdom or wise counsel and doesn’t practice attentiveness or diligent care for others (vv. 7-8).
Wisdom, however, slows us down to listen and ponder so that we’re not carried away by rash emotions or half-baked ideas (v. 16). Wisdom teaches us to ask good questions and consider the implications of our actions.
While reckless people charge forward with little regard for relationships or consequences—or often truth—“prudent [people] give thought to their steps” (v. 15).
While we’ll sometimes need to act decisively or swiftly, we can resist recklessness. As we receive and practice God’s wisdom, He’ll give us the guidance we need when we need it.
By: Winn Collier
INSIGHT
The book of Proverbs is part of a section of the Old Testament known as Wisdom Literature. Just as Proverbs focuses on practical wisdom, the book of James, considered by some to be the most Jewish book in the New Testament, has a similar focus.
In chapter 3, James contrasts the “wisdom” of this world (vv. 14-16) with “wisdom that comes from heaven” (v. 17). This God-sourced wisdom is “pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (v. 17).
As Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit’s work in our lives, James describes, in a sense, the fruit of wisdom lived out in practical terms.
By: Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
Where have you seen reckless living? How can you avoid living recklessly?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…reckless people charge forward with little regard for relationships or consequences—or often truth…but “prudent [people] give thought to their steps”… While we’ll sometimes need to act decisively or swiftly, we can resist recklessness…”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Be wise enough not to be reckless, but brave enough to take great risks. “ Frank Warren
PRAYER
“Dear God, we live in a reckless world. Please help me to be wise and live well.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“ORDER MY STEPS”
Order my steps in Your word dear Lord
Lead me, guide me everyday
Send Your anointing, Father I pray
Order my steps in Your word
Please, order my steps in Your word
Order my steps in Your word dear Lord
Lead me, guide me everyday
Send Your anointing, Father I pray
Order my steps in Your word
Please, order my steps in Your word
Humbly, I ask Thee to teach me Your will
While You are working, help me be still
Though satan is busy, God is real
Order my steps in Your word
Please, order my steps in Your word
Briddle my tongue, let my words edify
Let the words of my mouth
Be acceptable in Thy sight
Take charge of my thoughts both day and night
Please, order my steps in Your word
Please order my steps in Your word
Order my steps in Your word dear Lord
Lead me, guide me everyday…
I want to walk worthy
My calling to fulfill…
Please order my steps Lord
And I’ll do Your blessed will
The world is ever changing
But Jesus, You always remain the same
…You are still the same
If You order my steps
I’ll praise Your name
I want to walk worthy
I want to walk worthy, Jesus
My calling to fulfill
Please order my steps Lord
And I’ll do Your blessed will
Order my steps in Your word
Order my tongue in Your word
Guide my feet in Your word
Wash my heart in Your word
Show me how to walk in Your word
Show me how to talk in Your word
In Your word
In Your word
My steps
My steps
Please order my steps in Your word
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ROMANS 10
