Proverbs 19:20

Scripture:

Proverbs 19:20 “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.” (NASB)

Observation:

Making or breaking...there is a huge difference between making ice or breaking ice. As you walk out on the frozen lake or pond, you must listen carefully to the sound the ice makes. Sometimes the sound of the crack is making more ice and other times the sound of the cracking is breaking ice. The difference can be a day of fun or a life-threatening accident. Today's verse speaks of listening to counsel and accepting discipline. Doing so will make you wise for the rest of your days. I couldn't help but think of today's verse as I walked out on the ice and listened for the sound the ice was making. It meant accepting the counsel of my dad who taught me how to listen to the ice. I guess I'm still here; so, I was wise in listening to his counsel, and I will have more days to ice fish. Who are we listening to? Is it good counsel or not? Will it make us wise for the rest of our days? The best counsel can be found in God's Word; that's if we are wise enough to open the Book. It can make or break us.

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.