Day 4 // Guard Your Heart #wiseupchallenge24

Everyone, and welcome to day 4 of the Provisional Actions Challenge, 31 days full of Proverbs. We are diving deep into this Proverbs challenge, Wise Up, and I believe even after 3 days only— we are on day 4, but 4 days full of wisdom. I, I see changes, I see shifts, I see, I see so much. And I'm just so grateful for everyone who's coming along on this challenge as we continue to wise up and, you know, get wisdom in all our understanding. I mean, in all our getting, we are getting the understanding. And so today we are on day 4. Day 1, if you haven't yet had a chance, we started off with the question What are you getting? Are you getting an understanding each day? Are you getting an understanding? So on day 1 was the fear of the Lord. So as we go through these 31 days, we are crafting a playbook, a playbook. So as we go through life, we will know what to do based off of our actions, and we are aligning our beliefs so that our behaviors will be in alignment with the word. Our beliefs will be in alignment with the word, and also our bearings, what we are bearing. And so as we go through each one of the plays, each chapter is a play. And so play 1 was the fear of the Lord. Play 2, which was Proverbs 2, was the seeking wisdom, was seeking wisdom. And day 3 was trusting in the Lord with all our heart, leaning not to our own understanding, but it was just trusting the Lord. And on day— on day 4, today is guard your heart. Guard your heart. So now we have 4 plays. We have the fear of the Lord, we're seeking wisdom, we're guarding our heart, we're trusting in the Lord. And so today, as we— I'm just going to go through some of the— go through the purpose For per— for day 4, the purpose is to guard your heart, is to really guard your heart, protecting your mental and your emotional well-being. You know, one of the things is just being honest about how you are really— what you're really thinking on. If you're not honest about what you're thinking on, then how can you take your, your thoughts captive? So we are taking those thoughts captive. We are really being honest as we go through Proverbs. Um, so that's the purpose. So that mindset that we need is our thoughts shape our reality. So where we are, what are we thinking on? Are we thinking on what's true, what's lovely, what's reputable? Or are we, are we thinking on, as we identified on, um, yesterday, or, you know, throughout the entire book of Proverbs, is that there is earthly wisdom and then we have heavenly wisdom. The scriptures is heavenly wisdom. It's what we're going to dive deeper into today as we get wisdom, um, and that's going to help shape our reality. Reality, truth is going to help us to shape the truth. And as we go through and shape the truth, we're able to see the truth, who is Christ Jesus, and we are able to see and learn more about Christ. And, um, For our actions. Our actions, like I said, our beliefs are going to help shape our behaviors. Our behaviors are going to help shape our actions. And we want to be able to practice mindfulness and limit exposure to toxic influences. So we're going to be identifying some of those, um, I, I guess, is it like X's or O's or something like when you playing football, you know, the opponents? Um, the defense, um, the— we're exposing the opposition. We're gonna face— we're facing opposition. Um, and so that's one of the things that in this play in Proverbs 4 is going to show where you can't go, where you can go, and really outline, um, the, the play. And we're going to go through that. So we might— we're in, in life, we're going to have to throw some audibles. And those audibles, if negativity you know, invades our thoughts. If there— if you have negative thoughts, you want to defend those by focusing on those positive thoughts and surroundings. So thinking on whatever is true, lovely, reputable, what the word says, what is praiseworthy, you know. And, and God is praiseworthy, so we can think on his word. And if our energy is low, we want to boost it by meditating on the word. So if you're low of energy or anything in that sort, you can always seek the word, seek wisdom. And that's one of the things, um, we identified in Proverbs 1. There's things or people that are still, you know, operating in their sinful nature that entices you to do, you know, do lead you down the wrong path. And sometimes, even though it seems right in the eyes of us, we have to not be wise in our own eyes. And that's Proverbs 3. So we're really being able to identify when we need to throw an audible. And so if your energy low, today's audible, Proverbs 4, is to meditate on the word. Meditate on the word. So now let's go through our takeaways and outline the play for Proverbs 4. So the principle is wisdom. Get wisdom. Prince, the principle of this play and all plays, all of Proverbs, is wisdom. Wisdom is the principal thing. And so the word of God is given to us in Proverbs 4 for the sons. So it's like God talking to each of his sons And also his daughters. Um, he's talking to you. This is the Father talking to you, and what he's, he's giving is his instructions. He's giving sound learning, and which is the teachings. He's teaching, he's teaching you through instructions, which those instructions is wisdom. He's saying get wisdom. When you get his, when you hold to his teaching, when you listen to his teaching, You are getting wisdom and it's a valuable asset. And we identified that listening, it takes action. It's a skill. So you have to build up that skill and to get that valuable asset, which is wisdom, and at any cost is going to require you to pay attention. It's going to require you to pay attention. And in order for you to gain understanding, you have to pay attention. So what it is costing you is your attention. It's costing you everything. All you have, all your attention is going to cost you that to get understanding and to get wisdom. And this is what the Father is teaching, teaching you on today, teaching me on today. And that's his teachings, is wisdom, to get wisdom, because it's that peace that protects It, uh, the, the Tree of Life, the— and that's what wisdom is. It protects wisdom. And so like we're saying today is guard our— guard your heart, guard your heart. So we have to listen, listen. Do not forsake the teachings, because what the word says, he's teaching. He's saying take hold of my word with all your heart, all of it. Take hold of my word, the word of God, with all your heart. And when you accept that, that you're accepting long life. So how do you get long life? You accept the teachings. You you accept the instructions, and in all you're getting, you pay attention to the word. You you continue to gain understanding of the word, the teachings, and you don't forsake though though you don't forsake wisdom. You don't forsake where you put your attention to. That's why it's like for your thoughts, when we're talking about our thoughts, we have to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. And the obedience of Christ is what he is holding to, what the Father— that's why he said you can only do what the Father say do, um, because he was holding to the teachings of God. And so we have to keep the commands, keep the commandments, and then we will live. So we even revisit it the commandments. Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not kill. You have to hold to that and remember. We have to remember. So there's— we need reminders. We need to be reminded of what the word says. And so that, that's a little bit further because it's like life. That's what life is. It's a remind— is a reminder of what the Father says. That's why he is the word. He is the, the living word. And so when that's given, when those instructions and the teachings are given in the way of wisdom, in the understanding the teachings, and you're teaching in, um, you're teaching the word of God, your, your gift is, is basically sound doctrine. It's a— it helps to have a sound mind when you are going in the way of wisdom. And that leads you along the straight path. It keeps you focused. It keeps— like you said, it's going to cost you all you have, all your attention. You're going to have to focus on that. And it actually is what protects you. That wisdom is what protects you. And so you have to not forsake that. You have to love wisdom. You have to be patient in all you're getting. You have to be kind in all you're getting. You You have to not keep records of wrongs in all your getting because that is what's watching over you to help you guard your heart. Wisdom is protecting you. She's watching over you. Wisdom is protecting your thoughts, protecting your mind. And when you cherish wisdom, you say, when you cherish and when you embrace wisdom, that is what exalts you. That is where the honor comes from. If you're not receiving honor, If you're not being exalted, it's because you have to first cherish and embrace wisdom. You have to not forsake the teachings of God. You have to not forsake or forget or not keep the commands, the instructions, the teaching, because that's what leads you along the path of righteousness. And that's where that glorious crown, a mind of Christ, Um, your ways are— I guess we was talking about your behaviors start to change because now your, your mind is starting to change, your belief is starting to change, because now you are gaining understanding of the word, which is clarity on the way and the path. Because now you are focused, you are focused on the word, and you are— he says hold on, don't let it go, don't let go of those instructions. Don't let go of the teachings. Hold on to it. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble if you guard it well. He said guard it well. That is your life. You have to guard your life well, and wisdom is what protects you. So if you if you need wisdom, that is what protects you. Not your not nothing else protects you. in the way that wisdom protects you. It guards your mind and your heart in Christ Jesus. That's that peace that surpasses all understanding. Because as you go on your way, as you go on your way and you're, you're trying to reach that glorious crown, you're trying to have a peace of mind, you have to realize on that there— as you are on the path of righteousness, there is a path of the wicked, the way of the wicked. There is wicked People have wicked ways, so those are evildoers. That's the way of evildoers. It's the path of the wicked. You do not want to travel that path. That's like earthly wisdom. You do not want to travel down the path of the wicked, for you want to avoid them at all costs. You do not want to— you don't even want to set your foot on that path. Because they don't sleep until they cause someone else to stumble. Um, and they eat the bread of the wicked. They don't eat the bread of life. They don't eat the word. You know, uh, Christ is the— he is the bread of life. You know, he says, whoever comes to me and believes in me shall not thirst and shall not be hungry. But the way of the wicked, they eat of the bread of wickedness, so there is no sleep. Um, they, they eat of the bread of wickedness, they drink wine of violence. And that's the way of the— because there's deep darkness on that path. On the way of the wicked is deep darkness, and they don't know what makes them stumble. And that's, that's the difference with having gaining wisdom. You know what makes you stumble. It's, it's the way of the wicked. Without wisdom and without understanding, you You don't have that clarity, and it— you, you may step your foot on that path. So that's why I said the principal thing is to get wisdom. If you do, if you, if you are in a place where you are stumbling, and you may be on that way of the wicked, that's where it comes in as far as repentance, to turn, turn away from it, go and go on the path straight. to the path of righteousness. Align your ways with the word of God. You can still hold on to the teachings. You can still, you know, don't let go of the word of God, and you want to continue to start guarding it well. So turn from it. Turn from the way of the wicked, because that— they don't— if you— they don't know what makes them stumble. So it is— they're just there to help make you stumble. But you don't. He says when you walk, your steps will not be hampered with when you hold to the teachings and the instructions and paying attention to that. You want to pay attention to that. And when you pay attention, you are turning your ears to the word of God and you're not letting it out of sight. And that's what keeps your heart and guards your heart when you turn your ears to the words of— to the word of God, and you guard it above all else, and you're paying everything, everything you have. That's where it comes like trusting in the Lord with all your heart, leaning not to your own understanding. You're understanding the word of God, which is his teachings. You're getting wiser, um, and that's what you need to go on that path of righteousness, because it's, it's in your sight. And when you do that, every— because everything flows from your heart, everything you do. So if you're, if you're walking on the path of the way of the wicked, it's going to flow from your heart. And if you're walking on the path of righteousness, it's going to flow from your heart. So you want, as you go through and guard your heart, you want to keep your mouth from perversity. You want to, um, For corrupt lips. Um, you want to keep corrupt talk from your lips. You want to keep your eyes straight and straight ahead. You want to keep your gaze directly before you. You want to give careful thought to the path of your feet. So where are my feet gonna go next? You want to have— give— be prudent about that. You want to be prudent and cautious about where I'm gonna step my foot next. And you want to be steadfast in all your ways. You want to be, you know, unmovable. Steadfast, unmovable. And you want to stand firm knowing that your work, your labor in the Lord is not in vain. So that's, that's that. That's your life. You're guarding your life. You're guarding your heart. You're guarding— you're valuing wisdom the most. It's a valuable asset, and you're cherishing it. You're embracing the word of God. You're embracing the teaching. You're embracing the instructions and you're actually walking in those instructions. You're keeping your eyes on the, on the word. You're, you're, um, you're keeping your lips from perversity. You're not getting involved in corrupt talk. And so that brings life, and it also brings life to whoever finds the words. So if anyone else was to find the word of God, it helps. It brings health to their whole body as well. So that's why you do not want to turn To the left or to the right. You want to keep your foot from evil. So to guard your heart, you want to keep your foot from evil and remember the word of God and hold to the teachings of the word of God. And that costs you what? It costs you everything you have. And it's worth the cost because it's that glorious crown as you embrace and cherish the word of God. It's that, it's that, it's that what we was talking about, the ornament around your neck of love and faithfulness. And that's where you like, I love wisdom. I love to have a peace of mind, you know. And also, it also helps us to go into prayer. Like, like I said, I prayed over this, um, Proverbs 4 today for, for everyone, that, that our minds be, you know, receive that peace that surpasses all understanding that guards our heart in Christ Jesus. Like, I want everyone to be able to have their thoughts on the word of God, because where you lay your thoughts, I can lay my thoughts there too. That's why I said in the way of the wicked there's no sleep. You can't sleep in all that, you know. It's— but in peace, with peace, the tree of life, that's what she's like, you know. You can rest your, your mind in, in, in that peace, and it costs you You to pay attention to the teachings of the Father, and that was Proverbs four. I told you day four, day one, day two, day three, and day four is packed with wisdom. I I look forward to the thirty-one days of Proverbs as we are wising up, and continue to check out the series on Sunday. I'm too smart for this. Um, on Darius Daniels TV on YouTube as we go through this Wise Up Challenge 24. Thank you guys for joining. Have a blessed day and continue to wise up.