Category: Wisdom

Soft Wise Words

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Those of us who grew up hearing the Bible taught have heard Proverbs 15:1 numerous times.  There have been too many examples of “harsh words stirring up anger” in the last few years. 

As I have tried to apply this to my own life, my first thought is “calm down!”  While there is validity to that thought, I need to make sure that my words have wisdom.  I don’t want to take verse one alone and forget to apply verse two.  Wisdom is easier to find with calm thoughts.  However, calm unwise words are still a risk.

As Christians we need to read and study God’s Word to make sure our words are wise and helpful.  I love verse 23 – good words at the appropriate time are good.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to have calm wise words at the right time in my conversations.  I want to help others to walk the path of wisdom.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Good Friends Matter

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Friendship is a necessity of life.  No one can live well without good companionship.  Problems happen when we don’t choose friends wisely.  We need to choose friends who seek Biblical wisdom and will help us do the same.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom that comes from Your Word.  Please help me to walk with wise people and encourage wisdom in those with whom I interact.  Your way is the only way worth living.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Final Word

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God’s Word is so important.  This is communication directly from the hand and heart of Almighty God.  He loves us so much that He provided all we need for life (2 Peter 1:3).  Obeying God’s Word does not mean life will be easy.  However, working on obedience is like building a muscle.  The more we work, the stronger we become. 

I think we get tripped up by our feelings in this area.  We don’t feel good about obedience or things don’t turn out the way we hope.  We need to keep working on building obedience as God commands.  We will be rewarded.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to obey as You command.  Thank You for the rewards You provide.  Please help us to wait on You in our obedience.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Wisdom of Praise

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I have noticed how easy it is to complain. I think that has always been an issue, but it has been even more prevalent in the last two and half years. I know I should thank and praise the Lord more than I do, but sometimes it feels awkward. I want to work on changing that.

There is great wisdom in praising and thanking God. He has given so many good gifts. If you don’t know what they are, read the Bible.

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for Who You are and the many wonderful things You have done. Thank You for the gift of salvation, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and Your Word that gives so much insight for life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Where is Integrity?

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We live in a world where integrity doesn’t seem to matter.  Lies and manipulation are all too common.  But God tells us that integrity provides protection. 

I think most of us know that integrity is a good thing.  The challenge can come when we let our own desires become more important than God’s commands.  Compromise comes easily when we feel we deserve something.  I am thankful God provides instruction to direct my desires towards His.

Dear Heavenly Father, please direct my desires and behavior towards Your commands.  Please forgive me when I let my desires push past Yours.  Thank You for the protection that comes from integrity.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Nothing But the Truth

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I know I have made several posts about the truth.  We live in a time when people want to make truth relative.  Thankfully, God has defined truth according to His own character. 

Proverbs frequently talks about the righteous and their behavior.  Hating lies should be an easy one to identify.  However, even those of us who follow Christ can have blind spots.  A blind spot shows a lack of knowledge of the truth.  Thankfully God has made it possible to see through the lens of His Word and those who faithfully teach it.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to identify the blind spots in my life. Please guide me to the truth in Your Word so I can live in a way that honors You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Hard Work Big Rewards

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I often ask why work has to be so hard.  The fact that we live in a sin cursed earth with sinners makes life hard.  That being said, work is still worthwhile.  Proverbs tells us the satisfaction we can get from work.  This doesn’t mean we will feel good all the time, but the long-term benefits are clear.  We will have plenty.  The opposite might seem like an easier path but getting nothing doesn’t seem like a good alternative.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the provision of work.  Please help me to put appropriate effort into work.  I want the riches that You supply.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Fool’s Way or Wisdom

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We live in a society of “do it your way”.  People talk about “your truth vs. my truth.”  The Bible tells us that only fools follow their own way.  When it comes to advice, we find what we want to hear.  Those who know Jesus Christ have the ministry of the Holy Spirit to guide them to wisdom.  We have the discernment to know wise counsel.  I hope to keep learning what God wants and look less at what I want.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to continue to seek your way.  I want true wisdom and wise counsel.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Speech or Silence

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I have often thought about when to speak up and when to be quiet.  I think we prefer the speaking side of that discussion.  Proverbs gives us a view of when talking isn’t good.  If the evil man would keep his mouth shut, he would be better off.  On the flip side the innocent don’t have trouble.  It makes me wonder what they have or haven’t said.

 Verse 14 talks about working and enjoying the results of that hard work. I think some of that hard work is related to figuring out when and how to speak.  Reading God’s Word and praying are two tools I use to help me in that area.  

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You again for the wisdom in Your Word.  Please guide my words that I might be Your tool to draw others closer to You. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Bread and Sense

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After reading this verse the first time, I thought that this has an obvious message.  While the message is plainly stated I wondered what “worthless pursuits” would be.  Too often appropriate activities become worthless pursuits when we let them become more important than God.  We need to consistently work on our priorities. 

Hard work provides for our needs.  Focusing on God shows wisdom.  A win-win situation.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to set priorities that honor You.  Please help me to be good example of the provisions hard work brings.  Thank You for all You do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.