Living Life Well - Prov 9, Psa 34, Eph 9

1. Prayer
Holy Wisdom,
fill us with such understanding and knowledge
that we may act as instruments
of your loving desire for creation,
working with you to transform
our conceit into concern for others,
our fear into love, our violence into peace,
and our brokenness into wholeness.
Amen.

2. The Church Calendar
August 15

3. Psalm 34, Proverbs 9, Ephesians 5
LIVING life WELL

4. The whole purpose of these chapters
(in Proverbs) is to sensitize the son(s)
to the character of (Lady) Wisdom, without
which no resistance
(to Lady Folly) is possible.
The son(s) must acquire skill in
(the use of wisdom), which will involve
accepting not only Lady Wisdom’s
words but also her helping hand.

5. Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her
home; it’s supported by seven hewn
timbers.
The banquet meal is ready to be served:
lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set
with silver and flowers. Having dismissed
her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes
to town, stands in a prominent place,
and invites everyone within sound
of her voice:
PROVERBS 9:1-6 (MSG)

6. “Are you confused about life,
don’t know what’s going on?
Come with me, oh come,
have dinner with me!
I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—
fresh-baked bread, roast lamb,
carefully selected wines.
Leave your impoverished confusion and
live!
Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”
PROVERBS 9:1-6 (MSG)

7. Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good
thing. Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life and desires to
see many good days, keep your tongue
from evil
and your lips from telling lies. Turn from
PSALM 34:9-14 (NIV)

8. Paul’s emphasis (in Ephesians 5) is on
the mind, and the need for wisdom.
It is vital not to slide along through life
in a general foolish haze, hoping things
will work out all right but not being
prepared to think them through,
to figure out where this or that
type of behavior will really lead.
That is the way of death.

9. So watch your step. Use your head.
Make the most of every chance you get.
These are desperate times!
Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly.
Make sure you understand what
the Master wants. Don’t drink too much
wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the
Spirit
of God, huge drafts of him. Sing hymns
instead of drinking songs!
EPHESIANS 5:15-19a (MSG)

10. Sing songs from your heart to Christ.
Sing praises over everything,
any excuse for a song to God the Father
in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ.
EPHESIANS 5:19b-20 (MSG)

11. Be very careful, then, how you live—
not as unwise but as wise, making the
most
of every opportunity, because the days
are evil. So do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not
get drunk
on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking
to one another with psalms, hymns,
EPHESIANS 5:15-19a (NIV)

12. Sing and make music from your heart
to the Lord, always giving thanks to
God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
EPHESIANS 5:19b-20 (NIV)

13. Psalm 34, Proverbs 9, Ephesians 5
LIVING life WELL

14. A good question is like a lever used
to pry open the stuck lid on a paint can.
~Frances Peavey~
All of our knowledge results from questions,
which is another way of saying that question
asking is our most important intellectual tool.
~Neil postman~
THE POWER OF QUESTIONS

15. - Is there anything about the way you
are currently living that doesn’t reflect
a heart/mind of wisdom? Is there anything
about your current life that is foolish?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

16. - Is there anything about the way you
are currently living that doesn’t reflect
a heart/mind of wisdom? Is there anything
about your current life that is foolish?
- Is there anywhere in your life where you
need to “turn from evil and do good”?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

17. - Is there anything about the way you
are currently living that doesn’t reflect
a heart/mind of wisdom? Is there anything
about your current life that is foolish?
- Is there anywhere in your life where you
need to “turn from evil and do good”?
- Are you a person who seeks and pursues
substantive peace? How so? Why not?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

18. - Is there any part of your life where you
are living ”carelessly, unthinkingly”?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

19. - Is there any part of your life where you
are living ”carelessly, unthinkingly”?
- Are you able to control your drinking?
Are you able to control yourself when
you’re drinking? Would others close
to you share the same assessment?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

20. - Is there any part of your life where you
are living ”carelessly, unthinkingly”?
- Are you able to control your drinking?
Are you able to control yourself when
you’re drinking? Would others close
to you share the same assessment?
- Are you open to being filled with the Spirit?
Have you asked? What’s holding you back?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

21. - Is there any part of your life where you
are living ”carelessly, unthinkingly”?
- Are you able to control your drinking?
Are you able to control yourself when
you’re drinking? Would others close
to you share the same assessment?
- Are you open to being filled with the Spirit?
Have you asked? What’s holding you back?
- Is there any part of your life where you’re
having a hard time ”giving thanks”?
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION…

22. Living God,
you are the giver of wisdom
and true discernment,
guiding those who seek your ways
to choose the good.
Mercifully grant that your people,
feasting on the true bread of heaven,
may have eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Benediction