First Baptist Cleveland
On Earth as It Is in Heaven
Locations & Times
Cleveland Campus
1275 Stuart Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:15 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Concerning the purpose of Proverbs, the late Eugene Peterson wrote, “In our Scriptures, heaven is not the primary concern, to which earth is the tag-along afterthought. “On earth as it is in heaven” is Jesus’ prayer. “Wisdom” is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living. Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.”
The former author, educator and evangelist Henrietta Mears explains, “it is found that the wisdom of Proverbs is the Incarnate Word of the New Testament. Christ found Himself in this book (Luke 24:27)… When you read the book of Proverbs put Christ instead of wisdom in the verse.”
"listen closely to my sayings" (20)
1. Do I have an inner, growing appetite for personal health and development?
1. Do I have an inner, growing appetite for personal health and development?
“don’t lose sight of them” (21)
2. Is there a determination, that leads to a discipline, to retain the lessons learned for skillful living?
2. Is there a determination, that leads to a discipline, to retain the lessons learned for skillful living?
“Keep them within your heart” (21) … “guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (23)
3. Is the inner life that governs my thoughts, feelings and actions a deepening and expanding faith? Is my inner being fixed on Jesus as the source of life, producing a comprehensive desire to be healthy in all areas of my life?
3. Is the inner life that governs my thoughts, feelings and actions a deepening and expanding faith? Is my inner being fixed on Jesus as the source of life, producing a comprehensive desire to be healthy in all areas of my life?
“For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.” (22)
4. Does my spiritual health lead to a desire for physical, relational and mental health?
4. Does my spiritual health lead to a desire for physical, relational and mental health?
“Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously.” (24)
5. Do I have a reputation, either with those who know me personally, professionally or publicly, for combative language? Do I instigate unhelpful conversation? Do I have a tendency build up or tear down with my words?
5. Do I have a reputation, either with those who know me personally, professionally or publicly, for combative language? Do I instigate unhelpful conversation? Do I have a tendency build up or tear down with my words?
“Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.” (25)
6. How much time do I give to sideways energy? Do I tend to give my time to unproductive matters that easily grab my attention?
6. How much time do I give to sideways energy? Do I tend to give my time to unproductive matters that easily grab my attention?
“Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established.” (26)
7. Can I clearly explain the long-term objective(s) for my life? What are present distractions that are keeping me from being focused on those objectives? Can I identify potential distractions for the future?
7. Can I clearly explain the long-term objective(s) for my life? What are present distractions that are keeping me from being focused on those objectives? Can I identify potential distractions for the future?