Unforgettable Lessons 不能忘的教训

[Dexu Xia]

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1

Today's Scripture Proverbs 3:1-12

Today's Insights  The “proverbs of Solomon” were written “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight” (Proverbs 1:1-2). Solomon says the beginning of such wisdom is “the fear of the Lord” (v. 7). In chapter 3, he warns his son not to be “wise in [his] own eyes” (v. 7). Only by wholly trusting in, honoring, and obeying God could he gain wisdom (vv. 5-6). That’s true for us today. When God, the source of all wisdom (2:6), is central in our hearts and minds, Scripture, prayer, and the Spirit guide and direct our lives and choices, including our interactions with others. Wisdom helps to keep us from making foolish decisions (vv. 12, 16) and helps us to treat others with love, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22-23; James 3:13) and thereby influence our community for good

Today's Devotional

Corey Brooks—“The Rooftop Pastor”—spent 343 days living on the rooftop of his church on Chicago’s south side to inspire community transformation. Online, Brooks posted a “shout-out” to his elementary school teacher Joe Stokes, who taught him four unforgettable lessons: the power of perseverance, the importance of integrity, the value of community engagement, and the impact of education.

By embracing Solomon’s wisdom in Proverbs 3, we likewise can strive to live in ways that have community impact. Solomon taught four lessons that are just right for those who trust in God and are called to be a positive force: “Trust in the Lord” (v. 5); “fear the Lord and shun evil” (v. 7); “honor the Lord with your wealth” (v. 9); “do not despise the Lord’s discipline” (v. 11). Such wisdom compels us to be God-focused, but there are people-touching dimensions to our faith too.

In Matthew 5:3-12, Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of wisdom, eloquently described the internal disposition of believers in Jesus. Furthermore, He reminded them that they were high-impact people. “You are the salt of the earth” (v. 13). “You are the light of the world” (v. 14). As such, we are honored to “Let [our] light shine . . . that they may see [our] good deeds and glorify [our] Father in heaven” (v. 16).

Reflect & Pray

Who compels you to honor God in ways that also touch people? How can you reengage with lessons from the Bible you may have forgotten?

 Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my failure to honor You as Jesus commanded. Renew my heart through the wisdom in Proverbs today.  By Arthur Jackson

“我儿，不要忘记我的法则，你心要谨守我的诫命。”（箴言 3章1节

今日经文 箴言 3章1-12 节

今日洞见 “所罗门的箴言”是“要使人获得智慧和训诲，分辨通达的言语”（箴言 1:1-2）。所罗门说，“敬畏耶和华是智慧的开端”（第 7 节）。在第三章，他告诫儿子不要“自以为聪明”（第 7 节）。只有完全信靠、尊崇和顺服上帝，才能获得智慧（第 5-6 节）。这对今天的我们来说也是如此。当一切智慧的源头，就是上帝（2：6），在我们心中居于首位时，圣经、祷告和圣灵就会引导和指引我们对生活作选择，包括我们与他人的互动。智慧帮助我们避免做出愚蠢的决定（第12、16节），并帮助我们以爱、耐心和仁慈对待他人（加拉太书 5:22-23；雅各书 3:13），从而对我们的社区产生积极的影响。

今日灵修 科里·布鲁克斯，“屋顶牧师”，在芝加哥南区他教堂的屋顶上住了 343 天，以激励社区的转变。布鲁克斯在网上向他的小学老师乔·斯托克斯致敬，因为斯托克斯老师教给了他四个难忘的教训：毅力的力量、正直之重要、社区参与的价值以及教育的影响。

  通过领受箴言第三章中所罗门阐述的智慧，我们同样可以努力地以对社区产生积极影响的方式生活。在箴言书中，所罗门的教导可归纳为四个教训，这些教训对于那些信靠上帝并蒙召成为积极力量的人来说，恰如其分：

“要信靠耶和华”（第 5 节）；

“要敬畏耶和华，远离邪恶”（第 7 节）；

“要用你的财物尊荣耶和华”（第 9 节）；

“不要轻看耶和华的管教”（第 11 节）。

这样的智慧促使我们活出以神为中心的生命，然而，我们的信仰还包含与人相关的层面。  作为智慧的完美化身，耶稣在马太福音5:3-12中，雄辩地描述了信徒的内在品格。此外，祂提醒他们，基督徒是具有重大影响力的人。“你们是世上的盐”（第13节）。“你们是世上的光”（第14节）。“要让你们的光照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父”（第16节），当我们如此去做，我们就蒙受殊荣。

反思与祷告 是谁激励你以触动人心的方式荣耀上帝？你如何才能重新学习那些你可能已经遗忘的圣经教导？

天父，请原谅我未能按照耶稣的教训荣耀您。求您今天藉着箴言中的智慧更新我的心。

作者：亚瑟·杰克逊