If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.
   Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, the man who obtains understanding; for her profit is better than that of silver, her increase superior to fine gold. She is more valuable than jewels; all desirable things are not comparable to her: length of days is in her right hand, riches and honor in her left; her ways are pleasant ones, peaceful all her paths. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.
   Stop fooling yourselves. If you count yourself above average in intelligence, as judged by this world's standards, you had better put this all aside and be a fool rather than let it hold you back from the true wisdom from above. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As it says in the book of Job, God uses man's own brilliance to trap him; he stumbles over his own "wisdom" and falls. And again, in the book of Psalms, we are told that the Lord knows full well how the human mind reasons, and how foolish and futile it is.
   We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we can choose the taste we want in food, and we should choose to follow what is right . . . So don't be proud of following the wise men of this world. For God has already given you everything you need. Sin need never again be your master, for now you are no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves you, but you are free under God's mercy and favor. [Jesus said:] "Whoever serves Me must follow Me. Then My servant will be with Me everywhere I am. My Father will honor anyone who serves Me."
   Humility and reverence for the Lord will make you both wise and honored. He who follows after righteousness and lovingkindness finds life, righteousness and honor. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us, and establish the work of our hands . . .

Taken from Pr. 3, 4, Job 34, I Cor. 3, Rom. 6, Jn. 12, Pr. 15, 21, Ps. 90,
The Living Bible, The Modern Language Bible, The Everyday Bible and The New
International Version. For free Lifescope book, write to Box 1575, Carlsbad, NM 88221.
Please send $1.00 for postage and handling.