Category: Wisdom

Who Needs Wisdom?

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I am taking a brief break from Proverbs to look at a wisdom verse in the New Testament.  I like James 1.  There are many things I need to learn from its verses.  The Bible clearly talks about the need for wisdom.   I think the first part of James 1:5 is similar to a rhetorical question.  The “if” applies to all of us.  We all need wisdom.  We need to seek wisdom daily – throughout our lives. 

I enjoy Warren Wiersbe’s take on why we need wisdom.

“We need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to mature. Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory.”

Wiersbe, Warren W.. Be Mature (James): Growing Up in Christ (The BE Series Commentary) (p. 38). David C Cook. Kindle Edition.

God sends us down a path to grow and mature us.  God’s wisdom is the only way to manage that.  I am so thankful God loves me enough to provide the means for my good.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to continue to pursue the wisdom You have for my life.  Please help to grow and mature so I can honor You more.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Wisdom, Love, and More Value Than Gold

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The writer of Proverbs frequently personifies wisdom.  Proverbs 8 is wisdom talking to us.  These two verses show the beauty of loving and pursuing wisdom.  The benefits of wisdom are better than precious metals. 

I see so much pursuit these days of things that don’t have much value.  I wonder what life would be like if more of us pursued wisdom.  The only true wisdom comes from God and God has shared that in His word.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to pursue wisdom and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Challenges to Listening

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Thank you to my friend, Abby, for the picture.

The Bible tells us that wisdom and understanding have a voice.  I think we can often struggle listening to that voice.  Life is full.  I know my to do list never seems to shrink.  Without priorities, we risk wasting time.  My prayer is to efficiently use the time I have each day for the honor and glory of God.  I have a long way to go. 

I need to start with listening to wisdom and understanding.  They come first from God’s Word and then from other believers who have faithfully studied and lived God’s way.  There is no better way.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to listen to the voice of wisdom and understanding.  I need Your help to discern what is right according to Your ways.  Please guide me and help me to be a positive influence in those around me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Repetition for the Best Influence

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Thank you to my aunt for sending this beautiful Wyoming picture.

The book of Proverbs is very repetitive.  I had a teacher in 7th grade tell us to say, “Repetition is the key to learning.”  We thought we repeated it about a thousand times.  I don’t know how many it really was, but we said it enough I still remember.  Now I see why we need repetition.  We will never be done learning.  We need to hear certain concepts repeated to have them readily available.

These verses share again that God’s commands are important. We need to treasure them and keep them close.  God’s way provides the most positive influence.  I know my personality pushes me to want to make a difference (I think all of us want that to some extent).  The more I read and study the Bible, the more I realize God’s wisdom is the only answer. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I see so much ugliness in the world today and I want to be a part of the solution.  Please help me to hold tight Your commands.  Guide me to have a Christ-like influence on others.  I want them to see the beauty of Your way.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Why is Hard Work so Hard?

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This picture is an ant working hard to navigate the mote on a hummingbird feeder.

When I first read this verse, I think about my job.  I work smack dab in the middle of supply chain as a production planner.  Like others, we have fought the many challenges over the last two years.  Work can be very hard.  However, God has been showing other areas of my life that are hard work.

Relationships can be challenging.  I know that close friendships can seem like less work (they do get easier in one sense when Christ is the center), but all relationships take effort.  The Bible gives commands in many places about our relationships.  Galatians 6 and Ephesians 5 and 6 are good examples.

I know the challenges can cause us to back away from the difficulties of relationships.  My Type A personality sometimes scares me (and probably others) with the intensity of my feelings.  However, God is bigger than all the challenges.  He will continue to work in my life (Philippians 1:6).  He will bring the changes I need to work as hard as the ant.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing examples like the ant to show me what I need to do.  Please help me to work hard in all areas of my life to honor and glorify You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.God is so good

God is Watching

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Sadly, in our society today there is too much ignoring God and His ways.  Some don’t know anything about God.  As a Christian who has studied God’s Word, I am thankful that God watches and “will make our paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6).  I find great comfort in God’s eyes being on me.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for keeping Your eyes on me.  I want to follow the path You have laid out in Your Word.  Please help me to cling to Your Word and Your ways and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Guard Your Heart

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I like the strength of words the book of Proverbs uses for holding on to wisdom.  Proverbs 4:21 is one of those.  “Let them not escape” and “keep them” are similar to other statements repeated through the book.  Verse 23 gives us the reason – to guard our hearts. 

The heart is at the core of who we are.  The condition of our heart will affect everything in our lives.  That is why we teach children (teens especially) to be careful when they chose friends.  I wonder if as adults we remember that.  Those we are close to often fill our hearts.  If we make poor choices, God’s wisdom will not be a part of the relationship.  The springs of life are dirty and bitter when God is not involved.  I have found the closest friendships to be people who can easily talk about Scripture.  Those who want to serve and honor their Heavenly Father out of love and gratitude for what Jesus did on the cross.  I do not know of a better way to guard my heart than to spend time with others who want to do the same thing.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminders to hold to wisdom.  Please help me to hold tight to the truth of Your word and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

The Brightness of Day

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Life can be full of darkness.  There are many heavy burdens and challenges we face.  I like this verse in Proverbs that gives the illustration of the brightness of daylight. I enjoy the extra daylight that comes with spring.  It improves my mood. 

This verse in Proverbs tells us that living God’s way is like the brightness of day.  Our society has downplayed the joy of righteousness.  I have seen Christians fall into that trap.  I grieve when I see those who claim the name of Christ choosing to live in the darkness of the world. 

Proverbs gives good advice.  It directs us to the wisdom of God’s word.  I want the daylight of righteousness to guide me through all aspects of life.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us brightness through righteousness.  Please help me to follow Your path and live Your way.  Please help me to encourage those around me to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Hold Tight

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There are a lot of things we hold onto in life: relationships, ideals, jobs, etc.  Some of them are worth holding.  Others need to be held with somewhat open hands.  Proverbs repeats the concept of seeking wisdom.  In these verses, we also see the word insight.  When looking up the Hebrew word, I found the synonym discernment.  We need to ask God to guide our thoughts.  I like the information age, but I can drown in information overload.  I need God’s wisdom to help me discern what I need and what has no value. 

I will never be able to research everything.  However, I know the God Who knows everything.  He will give me what I need.  I just need to humble myself before Him and ask for His wisdom (James 1:5). God will give generously.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing wisdom and reminders to see it.  I ask for help as I navigate the path you have sent me on.  Please guide me with the wisdom You promise.  I praise Your name for the results.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Wisdom, Hope, and Power          

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17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might 20 that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:17-20

I was pleasantly surprised when I found a New Testament passage that spoke of wisdom and referred to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Just in time for Easter.  I am thankful for the way God brings passages from His Word for encouragement and help.  These verses were a part of the Wednesday night Bible study I attend.  I knew this would fit my blog for the day before Easter.

Here is my shortened version of Ephesians 1:17-20:
Wisdom comes from knowing God.  Those of us who have trusted in Christ have hope.  God’s power works in us – the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

Wow.

God is so good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the filled treasure chest of thought in this passage.  Thank You for providing wisdom, hope, and power for those who call on You.  Thank You for Christ dying on the cross to save those who trust in Him.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.