A solid foundation and sweet sleep...

 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
  by understanding he established the heavens;
 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
  and the clouds drop down the dew.
 My son, do not lose sight of these—
  keep sound wisdom and discretion,
 and they will be life for your soul
  and adornment for your neck.
 Then you will walk on your way securely,
  and your foot will not stumble.
 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
  when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
(Proverbs 3:19-24 ESV)
Wisdom is an essential ingredient in life.  It is evident in what God has made - both in the world and in the hearts of men.  He is All-Wise, and we can see it.  We tend to throw wisdom away - to discard it as unessential.  But it is vital to our present and future welfare.  If we live unwisely, it has devastating results.  Today, may we seek wisdom and choose to follow her voice.

Understanding....

 Sometimes the less said, the better. 
So I will let this scripture speak on its own
Simply see what it says about getting understanding:

My son, if you receive my words
  and treasure up my commandments with you,
 making your ear attentive to wisdom
  and inclining your heart to understanding;
 yes, if you call out for insight
  and raise your voice for understanding,
 if you seek it like silver
  and search for it as for hidden treasures,
 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
  and find the knowledge of God.
 For the LORD gives wisdom;
  from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
  he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
 guarding the paths of justice
  and watching over the way of his saints.
 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
  and equity, every good path;
 for wisdom will come into your heart,
  and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
 discretion will watch over you,
  understanding will guard you,
(Proverbs 2:1-11 ESV)

Is anybody listening???

 Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
  in the markets she raises her voice;
 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
  at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
 How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
  and fools hate knowledge?
(Proverbs 1:20-22 ESV)
Like a town crier, Wisdom is calling out - sometimes bringing important news, sometimes a warning - most of the time, being ignored.  Often, reading the news or listening to people, I wonder: "Can they hear the voice of wisdom?  Is there any fear of God in their hearts?  Do they have a clue?"  All the more reason we need to prove wisdom true, and sing in tune with Her, and give voice to the truth of God.  May we listen, learn, and let others know.

fear, not foolishness...

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Rejection.  God knows it well.  He is waiting with all the wisdom we need - all the knowledge and skil necessary to navigate life, but we are too proud to stop and ask directions.  We are so foolish we not only ignore Him, we despise His wisdom.  May we turn from our foolishness to His wisdom and instruction.

Running to tell...

Acts 8:1-5 And Saul approved of his execution.And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 
The harassment, beating, and imprisonment had turned into all-out persecution.  The church was on the run.  But this was not a great plan gone amuck; this was the plan - to go and tell.  The apostles and other believers were on the run - telling, telling the Good News of the Christ.  Never stopped.  What a lesson for us.  As we remember those who have sacrificed for our national freedom, let us also remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom in Christ - laying down their lives to spread the Word.  Thank you.

Poor listeners...

Acts 5:40-42 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. 
One might thinks that the apostles had a hearing problem.  Did they not hear the council warn them NOT to preach in Jesus' name?  Didn't they know they  were making the powers-to-be look bad, incriminating them in the death of Jesus? Yes they heard, but the voice of God was much stronger and clearer; they needed to obey Him.  So do we.  If we truly believe Jesus is worthy of glory and honor and our faith, then we will want to be deemed worthy to suffer for Him in living out and sharing the Gospel.  He is worthy. Are we?

A PRAYER WHEN PERSECUTED

Acts 4:23-30 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers were gathered together,against the Lord and against his Anointed’— for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 
I love this prayer.  As we see the increased pressure against freedom to share our faith - by military chaplains and in public settings, we need to call out to our Creator, cling to the truths of scripture, and ask for a compassionate boldness to not be afraid or ashamed of the Gospel.  It is a prayer that the Truth will prevail and God will be glorified.  It also gives us a construct for how we can pray for those across the world who truly are being persecuted for their faith and testimony, being imprisoned, beaten, and even giving their lives.  We call out to You, Sovereign Lord!