Saturday, November 22

So, today is November 22, so we are reading Proverbs 22 (A "Proverbs-day", as taught by our Pastor, Dr. AR Bernard). I read this in the New Living Translation (2nd edition)

There are so many great verses in this chapter, but since this is the first post of my blog, these verses are great to start with:

Proverbs 22:17-19

17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today-yes, you- so you will trust in the Lord.

If we want to be "good to great" at something -- ANYTHING -- what do we do? Well, what I do is:

1. Study how to do that thing. (I have been known to sleep with instruction manuals for a new smartphone, computer program, look at YouTube videos on the subject, etc.)
   
2. Research and study people that are successful at what I want to be good-to-great at. They actually become what I call "distance mentors", or people I may never meet; but I am learning from them and their experiences. Some of those people are: John C. Maxwell, Jack Welch, Ken Blanchard, and AR Bernard, to name a few. I have even created a file on my computer to keep their "advise & counsel" nearby.
   
3. Then based on what i have learned I try to emulate and apply their principles and experiences into my own journey.
   

When you watch a football game, pay close attention to the leader of the offense, the quarterback. He probably knows the playbook better than anyone of the other players; yet, he still has key plays on his wrist, on what is called a, "quarterback's wrist coach". It is right there, ready and waiting when he needs it to call the right play!

What about us as Christians? We want to be good at the Christian life, don't we? We want to impact the lives of others and be a leader? But, are we, HAVE we -- prepared for the game of life like that quarterback that studies the team's playbook and has the plays ready on his wrist?

Verses 17-18 of our passage tells us to. "apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips". The word apply means to: "devote oneself or one's efforts to something." So.............what's next?

We apply ourselves to instruction by:

• Being disciplined (devoted to) the reading the Word of God everyday, and that isn't easy, is it? Distractions always try to keep us from the Word. Just like the quarterback that studies his team's playbook.
  

We keep it in our hearts and always ready on our lips by:

• Creating a way to keep the "bold print" of what we read each day handy and readily available so we can consult it like the "wrist coach"

Here is what I did today and I hope it helps you:

1. In my personal quiet time I read the chapter, prayed, and asked the Holy Spirit to remind me to apply what I read my to heart and life. That is the Holy Spirit's job, by the way -- read John 16 -- we will talk more about that later...
   
2. I chose the verses that stood out to me and emailed them to myself.
3. Then I set up "Proverb alerts" (in the tasks application) in Outlook with reminder alarms for several times throughout the day. When the alarm rings, I stop and take a few minutes to read that email and meditate on the verses. ("Always ready on my lips...")
   
4. If I am away from my desk, my smartphone is synced with my Outlook, so I get an alert wherever I am. (Interestingly enough, in the past, the alarms have come at pivotal times and has stopped me from making a mistake!!)

Finally, to quote the author of Proverbs 22:19. "I am teaching you today-yes, you (that "you" got me right between the eyes today) - so you will trust in the Lord." We trust someone the more we get to know that person and their character. We get to know God's character by reading his Word. The more we read, the less we should worry -- the more we trust!!

I am recovering from some tough times spiritually and emotionally. As I am re-applying God's word in my life, it is a great source of strength and inspiration. Wherever you are in your life right now....remember that!

Well, this is my first post! This is exciting!! I hope you got something out of it! Post a comment and let's share together!!

~ Coach
The Smart Game Plan