Are you up for some good advice these days? January 1, a new day, a new month, a new year, is the perfect time to seek wisdom and resolve to devote more time to God.
A new year always provides a clean slate, a clear path, and a carpe diem moment to try to be better people than we were the year before.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to draw closer to God, then I hope you will follow my blog this year as I share some opportunities for spiritual reflection.
When I was a child, I made a small wooden easel in a Bible School craft class. The words of 2 Timothy 2:15 were etched across its base, which was meant to hold a small Bible. My teacher used this verse to encourage us to read and study our Bibles.
After all these years that scripture continues to speak to me, and it encourages me to delve deeper into His Word so that I might know and do His will.
As I mentioned in my December newsletter, I plan to feature a different devotional book every month from authors who have personally mentored or inspired me over the years. I hope to pay it forward by sharing their inspirations with you.
My January selection is Solomon Says, a collection of 100 devotionals based on the wisdom of Solomon. In this book, authors Sarah Humphrey and Amy Parker offer tweens an in-depth look into the subtle and not-so-subtle advice given in the book of Proverbs.
What better way to begin the new year than to reflect upon the teachings of a wise man like Solomon? I believe God would approve.
According to 1 Kings 4:29, “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” Hmm. Maybe we should heed his advice.
The Solomon Says Devotional selection entitled “The Value of Wisdom,” based on Proverbs 4:11-13, explains how reading and studying the Bible can help guide our paths and make our journeys more productive. “Its instructions for life guide us to move forward with clarity, ease, and strength.”
Dear Lord,
Thank You for making a clear path for us. Help me to read and memorize your Word so that I can walk and run freely. Open my eyes to see Your straight path, and help me to trust You even when I’m not sure which direction to go. Amen.
“Wisdom=Hope,” based on Proverbs 24:13-14, reminds us that savoring wisdom is like the sweetness and goodness of honey.
[Solomon] says eat it, learn about it, and enjoy its sweetness! It will fill your belly with good things like health, nourishment, protection, and healing—and it also “tastes” delicious! When wisdom is in your belly, you have hope and a future. You can look forward to all the ways God will lead you in your life and all the opportunities He will create so that you can learn and grow.
This book, even though written specifically for tweens, offers an opportunity for all ages to reflect upon the wisdom of the Word. At a time when we all need hope, the wisdom of Proverbs can provide food for thought to the old, the young, and everyone in between.
Additional selections from Solomon Says include “Self-Control,” “Smart Talk,” “Courage and Clarity,” and “Goodness Over Pleasure.” Each of the 100 selections also includes space for reflection and an activity suggestion for application such as the one seen here:
What a great idea!
Sarah Humphrey and Amy Parker, both parents themselves, speak from experience. As a result, they have created lots of unique ways for young people to delve closer into God’s Word while at the same time providing opportunity to strengthen their walk with Him.
With all the devotional books featured here, I encourage my readers to share their book thoughts with each other. Regardless of the books’ target age groups, all the reflections can be adapted to inspire parent and child, husband and wife, prayer partners, co-workers, siblings, or any individual looking to draw closer to God.
My personal devotional for January 1 comes from Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
God as Creator is eternal and therefore not bound by time. That means He is in your future, and He is in your past, and He surrounds you at present! Would you worship Him now for His eternity?
—from The Joy of My Heart by Anne Graham Lotz
Have you ever played the game “Simon Says”? What happens when you don’t listen or properly heed Simon’s instructions? You have to go back to your starting point, don’t you? We certainly don’t want to regress in 2022; we want to move forward. Solomon and others who were inspired by God have left us great pearls of wisdom to apply to our daily lives. Let’s listen carefully and obey the Word!
As we all set sail today on our journey through a new year, may we resolve to walk in wisdom and draw closer to God through a study and reflection of His Word.
Together, let’s make 2022 the year we devote more time to God. I think it would be a wise decision.
“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become.”—C. S. Lewis
“God shall be my hope, my stay, my guide, and lantern to my feet.”—William Shakespeare
“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.”—Thomas Paine
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom lingers.”—Alfred, Lord Tennyson
“Wisdom begins in wonder.”–Socrates
Proverbs 23:18; Psalm 119:15-16; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Solomon Says Devotional (©2021 by B&H Kids) is available wherever books are sold.
Joyce. Enjoyed reading today. Have a blessed 2022. Donna
Thank you, Donna. Blessings to you as well. We’ve still got to do lunch!!