1-2 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.  Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.

3-4 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7-8 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

11-12 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:1-12 New Living Translation

For many years now 'Motivational Speakers' have been in big demand. The idea is that they can turn you (or your business) from being a flop and failure into a fantastic success. But over 3000 years ago God already told us what it is that leads to a ‘full and satisfying life’. (See vs 1-2) And in verses 3-12 the father in Proverbs gives four 'keys' which would help his child to have a fulfilling life.

What's the first key he gives (in vs 3-4) and what does he say these two qualities would lead to?

What's the second key (in vs 5-8) and what will that result in?

What's the third key (in vs 9-10) and what is the outcome of that?

The fourth key might be a surprise – but what does he say in vs 11-12, and how do you think this would benefit a person.

To be loyal and kind is far more likely to lead to true friendships than being fickle, untrustworthy and cruel. And trusting what God has said about right and wrong and good and evil is far more sensible than making up our own rules. So too, people who generously use what God has blessed them with to serve God, have inevitably found that God blesses them even further! And people who don't 'blame God' for any hard times or misfortunes they experience, but humbly accept that perhaps He is using such times to mould their lives, have always come through their trials stronger, and with their faith still intact. They end up better rather than bitter.

We won't need motivational speakers to patch up our life if we follow God's word and apply His wisdom every day. Spend as much time as you can with Jesus, for it was said of Him that 'no-one has ever spoken like this man.' The apostle Paul said: “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

If by any chance someone reads this who has not yet called on Christ to save them, and your life is empty, make a start with verses 5-6 and cry out to God to show you the way.