Real LIFE explored 1st 1. Life on earth 8th 2. The trials of life July 2018: At South Oxhey Baptist Church Four Sunday mornings from 1st to 22nd July From everyday life to eternal life: Personal stories and practical wisdom for the ups and downs of life. 1st 1. Life on earth 8th 2. The trials of life 15th 3. God has a destiny for your life 22nd 4. God’s power in your life Services start at 10:30am. More information: southoxheybaptistchurch.org.uk Location: 140 Gosforth Lane, South Oxhey. WD19 6UN.

Real life explored Life on earth The trials of life God has a destiny for your life God’s power in your life

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. [3:13-17]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behaviour, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young – let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance – for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. [1:1-6]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. [3:13-17]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… …She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you,’ [3:18-22]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… ‘wisdom’ – personified… ‘Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For those who find me find life and receive favour from the Lord. But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death.’ [8:32-36]

Life on earth Some great proverbs Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. [16:18] Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness. [16:31] Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed. [15:22] Sluggards do not plough in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. [20:4]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. [9:11] {better than worry!} Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed. [15:22] Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. [19:20] The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. [12:26]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. [13:10] Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded. [13:13] Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. [13:20] The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. [15:14]

Life on earth Proverbs to guide… from chapter 12 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. [15] Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. [16] Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. [25] The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. [12:26]

Life on earth Proverbs – the big idea The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. [1:7] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. [9:10] The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. [14:27]

Life on earth God’s wisdom – New Testament letter: 1 Corinthians …the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Life on earth Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. [1 Corinthians 1: 18-25]