It’s 2012 – the Olympic year has begun! There must be many sportsmen and women around the world hoping for gold and glory this year. The Olympic motto is ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’. Didn’t know that? Well, given that it’s Latin, I’m not surprised! You may recognise ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’, though! This is what all the competitors are aiming to be – and it led me to wonder what I’m hoping for this year. I’m definitely hoping to beat the longest vocal note challenge for the new YP’s Record Breaker feature, but I’m also hoping to read my Bible more regularly (aiming for every day), to brush my dog more regularly so he sheds less hair everywhere (aiming for every day) and to eat less chocolate (not aiming for every day!).

I hope as well that YP’s will continue to help you all dig deeper into God’s Word. We’ve got a few new-look pages in this issue, and we’re kicking off the New Year with some super-wise words from Proverbs to get you off to a good start!

So here’s hoping for a year in which we get to know God better so we can impact the world around us with His love.

I’m off to brush the dog ... bypassing the bar of chocolate sitting oh so close to me. Byeee ...

editorial

JAn/FEB2012

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OTHER CWR DAILY BIBLE-READING NOTES:FOR YOuNG pEOpLE FOR ADuLTSPens for 3- to 6-year-olds Every Day with JesusTopz for 7- to 11-year-olds Inspiring Women Every DayMettle for 14- to 18-year-olds Lucas on Life Every Day Cover to Cover Every Day

Young People’s Every Day with Jesus (YP’s) is published by CWR, Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8EP, UK © CWR, 2011. All rights reserved. This ‘super wise, Jesus and the guys, testing times’ issue would never have happened if it wasn’t for … Text: Paul Thompson @ Digital Dimensions • Senior Editor: Lynette Brooks • Concept development, editing, design and production by CWR • Photographs: Getty/Thinkstock (cover) • Printed in England by Linney Print •

The text in YP’s is republished every four years, working to a rolling four-year programme for 11- to 15-year-olds.

www.ypsonline.org.uk

YPsJF2012.indd 1 23/8/11 11:26:56

Happy new year! We look forward to easing you into 2012 with a bit of people-watching. Meet the Wisdoms – like most of us, they are just trying to live as best they can, but they struggle at times. Enter King Solomon! He’s the guy who penned most of the wise words in the book of Proverbs. Let’s see what he would have to say about the Wisdoms ...

2

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Meet our host>>One night God invited Solomon to ask for anything he wanted. Thoughts of a new palace, a four-wheel drive chariot and a winning lottery ticket whirled round his mind, but instead he asked God to clue him up to be a good leader. As a result God wised him up to managing himself, others and his business in top style (1 Kings 3:4-14; 4:29-34).Proverbs gives us a chance to benefit from God’s Mr Advice. Solomon says you can have knowledge and know how to do what is right, just and fair (v.3). And even if you think you are fairly clued up, Proverbs will add to your understanding.So, what was so special about Solomon’s wisdom? We have masterminds, computer whizz kids and self-styled wise guys today, so why bother with the observations of a king who lived 3,000 years ago? And how is his advice going to be better than that given by our magazine agony aunts? The answer is found in verse 7. Solomon’s wisdom originates from God. It isn’t an ‘I think ...’ wisdom but a ‘God says ...’ wisdom. It begins with an acceptance that God knows best ... because God knows everything.

ENGAGEPeople who understand the ins and outs of

city life are called ‘streetwise’. Those who

understand the ins and outs of God’s ways

are life-wise. Do you really believe God

knows best? Ask God to wise you up to His

ways of thinking and behaving, so you can

really know Him in the year 2012.

3

SUn 1 JAnProVerbs 1:1–7

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ...’

Proverbs 1:7

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Solomon lists some of the things we need to do to tap into God’s wisdom.

1. Listen in. How can you double-click into God’s ways if you switch off to the Bible? Make sure those satellite dishes on the side of your head are tuned in when people explain the Bible. Find out all you can about God.

2. Think about it. Don’t let Bible wisdom go in one ear and escape out of the other without leaving its footprints all over your brain. Puzzle it out. Think how it applies to you. Memorise it.

3. Pray about it. Don’t just offer one of those silent drop-asleep prayers. If you really want God’s advice, let Him know you mean business. Ask Him to show you the best thing to do in every situation.

4. Search for the right way. Many of life’s problems don’t have easy answers. Wisdom is as rare as silver. You don’t always discover the right thing to do straight away. That’s why it’s vital to pray and lap up the Bible regularly, and even ask the advice of experienced Christians.

5. Believe God has the answer. Solomon found that God knows the best way to deal with any situation and looks after those facing difficult problems.

ENGAGEThe original wise men travelled for nearly two

years following a star to track down Jesus. The

kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field

(Matt. 13:44-46). You need to dig deep but once

you strike gold you are never disappointed. Wise

people search out Jesus today.

PRAYLord Jesus, as I search for You and Your wisdom, may I find You. Amen.

Before we get too

involved in watching

others we need to

understand some simple guidelines.

4

Mon 2 JAnProVerbs 2:1–11

‘For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his

mouth come knowledge and understanding.’

Proverbs 2:6

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God’s wisdom is the ultimate! His knowledge makes the reference section of your library look sad. While scientists, psychologists and other clever ’ologists are puzzling out the ABC of life and living, God’s got the lowdown on the entire alphabet.His wisdom constructed the whole universe - the largest building project ever. Every tiny molecule, atom and particle was planned, created and set in position. And when the universe was test driven it worked perfectly first time. Each detail of our planet was carefully planned to support human life. On the other hand, we get ourselves into all sorts of a mess with the things we’ve made. Who are we to question that God knows best?God is not like a super boffin: full of facts but no good at dealing with people. He made us and knows every detail of our lives. That’s why we come with an instruction booklet - the Bible. Following the Maker’s instructions will help us to avoid malfunctions, blowing a fuse and ending up on the scrapheap.Those who trust that God knows best have no need to get wound up about anything. God knows the cause of all our problems and has an answer to them. Don’t try to be self-confident. Be confident in God - He’ll help you.

CHALLENGEWHAT IS GOD’S WISDOM? AnD WHY DO WE nEED IT AnYWAY? ISn’T TODAY’S SCIEnCE MOrE uP TO DATE? AnD AS FOr unDErSTAnDInG OurSELvES AnD OTHEr PEOPLE ... HAvEn’T THE PSYCHOLOGISTS SOrTED ALL THAT OuT?

ENGAGERead Proverbs 30:5-6: God is always right. He doesn’t make mistakes. And because God does everything right, we can rely on Him to help and protect us. Do you need God to shield you from anything today? Talk with your Maker and work out the right moves to make.

5

TUES 3 JAnProVerbs 3:19–26

‘By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations ...’

Proverbs 3:19

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Fools’ College

WisdomUniversity

Fools’ CollegeWisdomUniversity

Where should you go for advice?

Banana brains love their simple ways, mockers mock and fools don’t want to know God. So how does God handle all the rejection? He doesn’t slap people down with, ‘You’re going to do it like this whether you like it or not’. It’s not His way to bully people into following Him, but He does warn us of what will happen if we ignore His advice.

Ignore God’s advice and it may become too late to change the way things work out. God is keen to share His thoughts on any matter with us (v.23), but if we reject what He says we can expect trouble. And when we’ve got ourselves into another mess, although God will forgive us, we have to face up to the damage and hurt we have done to ourselves and others. Listen to God, take His advice and live without all the hassle that comes from disobedience. Later on in his life Solomon ignored God’s wisdom and became a womaniser and a playboy. His actions led to the kingdom of Israel eventually being broken up in two. You see, even people like Solomon, who know what God wants, can go wrong unless they actually do what God wants!

God’s advice is free, but there is a cost

to ignoring it. Most people make

decisions without even considering

what God might want them to do.

We automatically think we know best,

and that can be a big mistake.

ENGAGESolomon also advises us to chat through the key decisions

we have to make with wise people (Prov. 15:22). If you are

unsure what to do about something and you don’t know

where to look in the Bible for help, pray about it and, if

necessary, chat things over with experienced Christians.

Taking the right advice at the right time is the right way.

6

WED 4 JAnProVerbs 1:20–33

‘... but whoever listens to me will live in safety ...’

Proverbs 1:33

YPsJF2012.indd 6 23/8/11 11:27:12

Fools’ College

WisdomUniversity

Fools’ College

WisdomUniversity

Fools’ CollegeWisdomUniversity

Fools’ CollegeWisdomUniversity

FOOLS’ COLLEGEno rules. Do your own thing. The more outrageous the better.

To apply, you must not be able to think for yourself but

instead do what everyone else is doing without questioning

why. Those accepted on our courses learn how to be gullible,

devious and ignore their consciences. It’s important to believe

that you can do what you feel like without being found out.

All courses qualify you for separation from God.

WISDOM unIvErSITYThis course is open to anyone wishing

to learn and live. no qualifications are

necessary because you will discover that

true knowledge is about knowing God.

Those who get to know God are the ones

who do really well. Getting to know God is

the way to learn how to live life to the full.

Where will the Wisdoms choose to go for advice?

SoLoMon WASn’T SoLo MAn DoInG THInGS HIS WAY. He LeARnT To TALk THInGS THRouGH WITH GoD AnD TAke HIS ADvICe. AnD THAT’S noT AS eASY AS IT SounDS. GoD’S WAYS SoMeTIMeS SeeM LeSS uP-BeAT THAn oTHeR WAYS.

ENGAGEWisdom will always reward you (v.12). Following God may not have the instant appeal or ‘wow’ factor other options offer, but it always works out best in the end. Let’s wise up to the fact that a ‘good time’ is only good when God is there. God is good and by heading away from Him you eventually bump into a ‘bad time’. Why not have a good time now?

PRAYFather, thank You for the rewards that wisdom offers. Help me to keep these rewards in mind. Amen.

7

THURS 5 JAnProVerbs 9:1–18

‘... knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.’

Proverbs 9:10

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