What? A goal for 2016 before completing the first day of 2015?

Why not?

Most of our “Resolutions for 2015” are, in fact, goals of one sort or another. Some resolutions will challenge us to “aim high” while others are “recycled” because they were “trashed” due to “lack of interest or difficulty.” Some will bring laughter because they are so ridiculous while others will encourage us to stretch and grow and develop the gifts, skills and talents that God has given us.

Perhaps the best part of a resolution is the fact that it forces us to focus on the future - whether we want to or not. Tomorrow will soon become today and 2015 will be 2016 leaving us with some memories that we did not plan, want or feel we deserved. We have no power over time or some events - nor the ability to stop, start or delay them.

But we all have “attitudes” about things that we can alter or even change completely. If we willingly seek God’s knowledge, we can change any attitude that could keep us from accomplishing the plan He has for our lives.

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge - but - he who hates correction is stupid.” Being willing to allow God to discipline or correct us proves to Him that we love Him and want Him to guide us even though it may be painful or uncomfortable. He knows what we need!

Otherwise, Solomon would classify us as “stupid” or not having “rational thoughts.” When God disciplines us it is for our good and His glory because He loves us!

Prayer:  We are blest, Father, to know that You want Your very best for each of us. Guide and guard us always! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but those who hate to be rebuked are stupid.

It was obvious to Solomon.

People who want wisdom are willing to pay the price to get it - because they “love” it. There is even a willingness to be disciplined, if necessary, to obtain wisdom.

People who “hate correction” or discipline, on the other hand, are considered “stupid.”

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid,” wrote Solomon. There is a price to be paid for everything: even knowledge. In this verse, the author uses two interesting words to describe the attitude of one who wants “knowledge” or one who is content to be “stupid” - love and hate.
Here, however, they are not connected to an emotional state. They focus on the priorities of an individual. If a person wants knowledge, it must be a libeling priority. If a person wants to be stupid, the only requirement is to refuse to learn or be corrected.

Knowledge and wisdom have very similar meanings in the Bible. In fact, they are almost synonymous, are life-giving, life-sustaining, life-enhancing and require one thing in common: the person who wants them, must at all costs, embrace “discipline.” To “get” one, wisdom, we must endure the other, discipline.

Interestingly, the word stupid is found five times in the Old Testament. It is used to portray a dense, dumb animal as well as a man who is unkind and runs roughshod over people.

To refuse discipline, then, lowers the status of a person. To accept it opens the door to successful living.

Prayer:  How blest we are, Father, for the opportunities You give us to achieve great things. Help us to persevere. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.