...what is the wise thing to do?

Before getting into the word, I have a confession/warning to make. Many times in the past I have viewed this blog as something that should be done as a matter of fact, rather than doing it with the humility necessary to get the most of God's word. I can't say enough what a disservice this is to God. He wants us to come before Him in awe, whether that's reading the word, prayer, or writing in a blog. If you just want to pay lip service, don't be satisfied, because God won't be either. I also must say that there have been times when I felt so great about myself because I had been consistent in writing, as if I somehow was better than anyone else that hasn't been. That too, is a load of a garbage and ignores the great mercy God has shown each and every one that believes and follows Him. This has got to be a time of openness, it sometimes pains me so much that we as leaders are so out of tune with each other that I just want to quit. I think about my church back home, where people pray for one another, take communion, and are just overflowing with praise. I don't believe that any body of Christ is better than another, but in each and every day Jesus should be our hero. I am not asking, but begging for each of you to keep praying that if we are not living for Christ, we are not really living. There is nothing special in any one of us that can make up for Christ not being the center of our lives, so please keep that as your goal, more than anything else. Whew. When the disciples were told to remain in Jerusalem, it was for a reason (Acts 1:8): the Holy Spirit! Not one disciple can we fish for without, it doesn't matter how hard we try.

4:1 Listen, children, 2 to a father’s instruction, 3
and pay attention so that 4 you may gain 5 discernment.
4:2 Because I give 6 you good instruction, 7
do not forsake my teaching.
4:3 When I was a son to my father, 8
a tender only child 9 before my mother,
4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that 10 you will live.
4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. 11
4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, 12 and she will protect you;
love her, and she will guard you.
4:7 Wisdom is supreme 13 – so 14 acquire wisdom,
and whatever you acquire, 15 acquire understanding! 16
4:8 Esteem her highly 17 and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
4:9 She will place a fair 18 garland on your head;
she will bestow 19 a beautiful crown 20 on you.”

Christians too easily forget that wisdom is such commonsense. Many will recall the parable of the hidden treasure, the pearl, or the dragnet (Matthew 13:44-49). Living for Christ really is greater than anything else we could possibly have, and we would have little problem giving them up if we believe it. It is not something that should be torture, because we are gaining something so much greater. I don't believe it is any coincidence either that Solomon chooses to say 4:9 She will place a fair 18 garland on your head;she will bestow 19 a beautiful crown 20 on you.”, for when we accept Christ into our hearts, this 'garland of grace' is exactly what we are bestowed with.