LifeLink Devotions

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

I love to sing. As I have gotten older my voice has become deeper. Some of the songs I used to sing as a young person I can no longer sing well because they are out of my range. I have to ask the person playing the keyboard to put the song into a lower musical key so I can hit all the high notes without sounding like I did when I was 14 and my voice was changing. This process of putting the music into a different key so it is matched to the needs of the singer is called transposing. In the dictionary, transpose is defined as: 

1. to change the position or order of;

2. musically, to put in a different key;

3. algebraically, to move from one side of the equation to the other.

Let’s look at those three definitions in light of Proverbs 22:18b, which says, “have all of them ready on your lips”.

Solomon tells us to have wisdom always ready on our lips. In other words, “Let wisdom transpose your speech.”

In the context of the definitions of transpose, here’s what I have learned:

1. Words of wisdom need to change position with the normal responses we make to people in conversation. Our first response is not usually one of wisdom and encouragement. Our first response is usually planned to bring attention to self through humor and personal stories, or to protect self through defensive, argumentative, and antagonistic statements. What would our relationships be like if the first words on our lips in every conversation were filled with the wisdom of God for the other person? Imagine the depth of love we would begin to experience. Our speech needs to be transposed.

2. Words of wisdom need to be put into a different key. In music, when a song is transposed, it remains the same song. Everything about the song remains the same except the tone. When we speak to others, we may have all the right things to say, but we may not be considered wise because of the tone in which we say them. The Apostle Paul says to “speak the truth in love.” Putting the words of wisdom into the right range to meet the need of the hearer is essential.

3. Words of wisdom also need to be applied to the correct side of the equation if the problem is going to be solved. Those of you who love math as much as I do will understand that if you are going to solve an equation, assuming “x” is the unknown, you must attempt to move all of the known values to one side so that “x” stands alone. Here is an example: x – 4 = 5. To solve for x, you move the 4 to the other side of the equation by adding it to the five, so that x = 5 + 4, or 9. When we apply this principle to our relationships, we discover something very valuable in helping people solve problems and come to decisions. We help them to move all of the known factors to one side of the equation, consider their value, see how they relate to each other, and when each has been properly considered and applied, the problem, “x”, is solved. 

I know I have a lot of work to do in these three areas. I will be spending time today contemplating the transposing of my speech so that wisdom is always ready on my lips. Will you join me in that pursuit? 

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions

Monday, June 1, 2026

So far in our study we have discovered that the pursuit of wisdom must transcend all other pursuits in life, and that we must embrace wisdom being transmitted to us by becoming good listeners.

For today, let’s look at Proverbs 22:18, which says, “for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart.”  The “them” of this verse are the truths of wisdom, and the principle we want to look at today is this – Let wisdom transform your heart.

There is an eternally significant difference between listening with your head and listening with your heart. Listening with your head is to simply have knowledge of a subject, but listening with your heart allows the knowledge to transform your will which manifests itself in a change of nature, attitude, and action. The difference between those two types of listening is the difference between eternal death and eternal life. We are not saved by our knowledge, we are saved by our faith, and faith is an act of the will – the heart – not the head.

Solomon refers to the heart sixty-nine times in Proverbs, and challenges us to listen to wisdom with our hearts so that we are transformed from the inside out. Here are a couple of examples:

Proverbs 2:1-5   My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and  search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Notice the transcending value of wisdom in this passage, and the desire for the transmission of wisdom. Also notice that understanding and knowledge are the product of a transformed heart. Faith facilitates the transformation of our heart as wisdom takes effect.

Proverbs 3:1-6  My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

In addition to stating the benefits of letting wisdom transform your heart, this passage gives us 3 things with which to measure the progress of the transformation that is to be taking place in our lives. They are:

1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart
2. Lean not on your own understanding
3. In all your ways acknowledge Him

Think about those three things today and evaluate the progress of your spiritual transformation. Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is my trust in God sufficient for every area of my life, or are there parts of my life where I must have God plus something else? God plus money? God plus possessions? God plus family and friends? God plus position and power? You get the point.
2. Is my faith in God’s wisdom sufficient for every decision I must make, or do I need to see the end before I can take the first step? Am I limiting God’s work in my life by needing to see the results and figure out the process in my limited understanding?
3. Is it my desire to see the glory of God in all areas of my life, or are there areas where I need to be acknowledged? Is my motivation for any area of my life to bring honor to myself?

Friends, evaluate these things carefully and prayerfully, and let wisdom transform your heart.

Pastor John