Copyright Page
2016 by Dan Dumas
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2016
Ebook corrections 09.06.2018
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4412-3016-4
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2007
Scripture quotations identified NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)
Cover design by Darren Welch Design
Author is represented by Wolgemuth & Associates.
Endorsements
Live Smart is a conversational book packed full of wit and wisdom for younger readers. Buy it for the students you care about. It might contribute to the kinds of conversations that change the very trajectory of their lives.
Dan DeWitt, Dean of Boyce College, author of Christ or Chaos
We all need godly wise counselors in our lives to point the way to the most God-glorifying path. Live Smart serves as that voice, giving clear direction for the journey you are beginning. Listen intently, learn deeply, love strongly, and live godly. You only have one life to live, live to the glory of God with all your might!
Steven J. Lawson, President, OnePassion Ministries, Dallas, TX
The growth in wisdom over time brings with it an unrequited desire for our future selves to urge our younger selves to walk a better, more God-honoring path. Humility demands that we root out unbelief and walk humbly in faithful service to our Savior and King. This book takes dead aim at worldly expectations and reminds us of the old paths wherein we find true life (Jeremiah 6:16).
Chris Larson, President of Ligonier Ministries
Dan Dumas underestimates the target audience of Live Smart . Yes, it is helpful for teenagers and young adults, but it is wise, biblical counsel for anyone seeking to live a life for Gods gloryand for those seeking to influence others to do the same. I wish Dumas had written this book, and given it to me, years ago.
Jason Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary & College
As I read this book, I thought, I cant wait to put this in the hands of my sons . This book has a unique combination of having a relatable author, a foundation that is biblical, guidance that is essential, and steps for implementation that are practical. I am thankful for this valuable work by such a gifted communicator of Gods truth to young people today.
Eric Bancroft, Senior Pastor, Castleview Baptist Church
Live Smart is a great guide for anyone who wants to discover what it means to really follow Jesus. Every young Christian needs to read Dans book!
Russ Lee, Singer/Songwriter for the group NewSong
Dan Dumas is an organizational genius, brimming with wisdom and creativity. I have often sought counsel from him about practical leadership questions in my own life. Now we have a book that makes such counsel available to anyone. This book will help you get your life together and will inspire you to get out of whatever rut you find yourself in with understandable steps of how to proceed. I commend this book to everyone from the stressed corporate executive to the college student seeking to plan out his or her life.
Russell Moore, President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Dedication
Dedicated to
my beloved sons, Aidan and Elijah,
future intentional leaders
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction: A Bear, a Lion, and You
Part One: You + God
1. Fear God
2. Know the Bible and Pray Like Crazy
3. Love the Church
Part Two: You + Others
4. Submit to Authority
5. Serve Others
6. Seek Mentors
7. Choose Friends Wisely
Part Three: You + Yourself
8. Take More Risks
9. Work Hard
11. Flee Sexual Immorality
12. Embrace Correction
Part Four: You + the Gospel
13. Know the Gospel
14. Speak, Defend, and Spread the Gospel
Conclusion: Into the Deep
Notes
Back Cover
Foreword
What difference can a book make?
When I was a teenager, a wise older friend put it to me straight: At the end of the day, much of who you are will be decided by the people you know and the books you read.
This is a book that can make a real difference in your life, right now. Dan Dumas is a man who wants to make an impact in the world with his life, and he wants to help you to make an impact as well.
Where does it all start? Well, for the Christian, it all begins with seeking wisdom. This was King Solomons great desire, and it should be ours as well. When Solomon asked God for wisdom, God gave it. We have much of the wisdom God gave to Solomon in the book of Proverbs, right in the middle of the Bible. Right after the Psalms, is a book all about wisdom.
Live Smart takes you through the wisdom God gave to Solomon, summarized into fourteen timeless principles for lifethe kind of life that makes a difference in the world, and the kind of life that pleases God.
The greatest tragedy that can happen to any of us is to miss out on Gods plan for our life. In this book, Dan Dumas walks you through these fourteen principles and shows how each principle can be real in your own life. Powerfully real.
When I read a book, I want to have confidence that the author knows what he is talking about. Dan Dumas is the right man to write this book. He is a leader and he is a man who helps others lead. He wants you to be a leader as well, and he wants you to live out Gods plan for your life to its fullest.
Live Smart will make a difference in your life. You will really like how Dan Dumas writes about his own experiences gaining wisdom, and they were often painful lessons. He makes every one of these principles come to life, and he grounds every principle in the perfect wisdom of the Bible.
I never had the opportunity to know King Solomon. I missed him by about 3,000 years. Dan Dumas, on the other hand, I know very well. I know him as a committed Christian and I get to watch him as a man of character, a powerful leader, a teacher, a husband, a father, and a man of boundless energy. More than that, I know him as a friend. When you read this book, you will see why I am so thankful for this friend.
Read this book and mark it up. Underline what seems most important and pray about what you read. Be determined to make a difference for Christ and be determined to start right now.