Hello! Starting a new month, let's begin with the essentials of wisdom, which helps direct true Christian love properly. Let's not be discouraged by the big words! We read at Proverbs 1:1-6:

The proverbs of Solʹo·mon, the son of David, the king of Israel: 2 To learn wisdom and discipline; To understand wise sayings; 3 To acquire the discipline that gives insight, Righteousness, good judgment, and uprightness; 4 To impart shrewdness to the inexperienced; To give a young man knowledge and thinking ability. 5 A wise person listens and takes in more instruction; A man of understanding acquires skillful direction 6 To understand a proverb and a puzzling saying, The words of the wise and their riddles.

Now, let's not be put off by the beginning of Proverbs, at the sound of this collection of attributes that you will receive as you grow in godly wisdom. Let's get to know these attributes--you could use a dictionary, or pay attention.

Verse 2: Wisdom itself is the successful application of true knowledge to life, benefitting others and yourself. Discipline is the offering of loving correction and training, the word coming from the same root as "disciple"--did Jesus go around punishing his disciples, or did he teach and train them? Some punishment is acceptable, as long as it is fair, given in love, and the lesson is made clear.

Verse 3: Righteousness is adherence to God's way and standards, especially as revealed through Christ, and is the framework for a happy and successful life, now and into the future, everlastingly.

Verse 4: Shrewdness is wise use of foresight, to avert danger or the results of bad decisions.

Verse 5: Is a wise person a know-it-all? He is humble, ready to listen and take in more instruction. He grows in understanding, that ability to see all the parts of something, and their relation to one another, as together making the whole of it.

Verse 6: Such a person is able to acquire the wise guidance needed to understand the proverbs of wisdom and riddles.

Psalm 42 (Book 2, Psalm 1) begins by expressing a longing for God, close friendship with Him: "As a deer that longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I do thirst for God, for the living God. When may I come and appear before God?" What a privilege it is to get to know our wise and loving Father, Jehovah, receiving of his kind guidance and instruction. Let's put faith in Him, and eagerly receive of such instruction, to know true wisdom and love, and live.

Psalm 90 is a prayer of Moses. Verse 2-4 draws attention to the greatness of our God: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the productive land, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You make mortal man return to dust; you say: "Return, you sons of men." For a thousand years are in your eyes just as yesterday when it is past, just as a watch during the night." Verse 14 adds: "Satisfy us with your loyal love in the morning, so that we may shout joyfully and rejoice during all our days."

Psalm 119, the acrostic having groups of eight verses beginning with the same letter of the alphabet, starts with Hebrew Aleph, and shows we really can keep God's commands and standards in life:

Verses 1-4 says "Happy are those who are blameless in their way, Who walk in the law of Jehovah. 2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, Who search for him with all their heart. 3 They practice no unrighteousness; They walk in his ways. 4 You have commanded That your orders be carefully kept."

We can do it! Trust in Jehovah to help you grow in knowledge and wisdom, keeping God's loving law especially through Christ, becoming and remaining true Christians.