Seeking Wisdom from God – Day 12
James 1:5-8
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Not sure if you started on December 28 or December 29 – I started on December 28 and today is the last reading for the Wisdom plan. I hope you enjoyed the reading plan.
If we lack wisdom – we only need to ask God and God will give generously. A message of wisdom can come through us by the Holy Spirit. Seeking wisdom can bring us closer to God. God can give us wisdom to share with others! Look at http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/12 to find today’s readings on wisdom. Last day! I will be reading the devotions associated with the 21-Day fast starting January 10th. Hope you will join me.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Seeking Wisdom – Day 11
1 Corinthians 12:1-8
1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
A message of wisdom can come through us by the Holy Spirit. Seeking wisdom can bring us closer to God. God can give us wisdom to share with others! Look at http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/11 to find today’s readings on wisdom. Only one more day left. I will be reading the devotions associated with the 21-Day fast starting January 10th. Hope you will join me.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Seeking Wisdom – Day 8
Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
We moved from day 5 to day 8 because the plan gave us two days without readings. There are 13 readings today. Go figure! Click here http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/8 to read the passages.
As we search for wisdom together we are starting to see that wisdom is worth more than anything. Today’s readings – all 13 of them – talk about the value of wisdom.
Rather than write too much today – because my words would be so much less than God’s Words – I will simply encourage you to read the 13 passages about wisdom with today’s plan and see what God says to you.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Pride is Contrary to Wisdom – Day 5
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Today’s lesson with the Wisdom study has eight short readings from Proverbs. Looking here http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/5 you can find them. If you wish – you can actually have these Scriptures sent to your e-mail every day if you sign up for the reading plan on YouVersion.com. I find that neat!
Many of today’s lessons on wisdom are about pride and our arrogance. One that is missing – but may show up later – is Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Here are a couple of others from today’s lesson:
Proverbs 13:1 – A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:10 – Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
On Dictionary.com their first definition of pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
When we are to place Christ above all else – to love Him more than self – more than anything – you can see where pride might interfere. Sunday in the message we talked about not allowing anything to come between us and God. We even challenged the church body to make that a New Year’s resolution – to walk daily in such a way that nothing came between us and God. Pride is certainly something could indeed come between us!
There are good types of pride – don’t get me wrong. Pride in oneself that causes one to do their best – or present themselves in a good way. Pride in one’s county. Pride in one’s family. But too much pride in self can lead to a barrier between us and God.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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There is no reading for tomorrow in the plan – so use the day to catch up on the past days if you are behind. I will share a different devotional thought tomorrow and back to the Wisdom study on Wednesday.
Seeking God’s Wisdom – Day 4
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Today’s reading has four passages:
Proverbs 3:5-8, Proverbs 3:13-14, Proverbs 4:5-9, Proverbs 8:1-36
They can be found at this link – http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/4or by clicking on the Scriptures if you can see hyperlinks with them.
Proverbs 3:5-8 – 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
My friend Woody has been working my on vehicles for around 35 years or more. I take my vehicles to him broken – in need of fixing – and he somehow seems to give it back to me in good running order. I have written a number of times how many thumbs I have – so you understand that I do not trust my own understanding when it comes to mechanical things – I trust in my good friend Woody (he has my Acura right now putting in a new clutch). This example helps me to understand trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5.
Wisdom is something that we should seek after daily. Proverbs 3:13-14 – 13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. When we find it we are blessed.
Proverbs 4:5-7 – 5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 8:10-11 – 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Seeking Gods’ Wisdom – Day 3
Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Today’s reading has six passages:
Job 32:6-9, Psalm 90:11-12, Psalm 111:10
Psalm 119:169, Proverbs 1:1-7, and Proverbs 2:1-22
They can be found at this link – http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/3 or by clicking on the Scriptures if you can see hyperlinks with them. I would be very interested in reading what you think of these passages about wisdom. Leave a comment on the blog page or on my Facebook page.
Job 32:7-8 – 7 I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’ 8 But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. Some of us may believe that wisdom comes with age – yet we all know older people who don’t seem to have much wisdom. Wisdom comes – as we read in Job – from a person’s spirit being in connection with God’s Spirit. It is not something that just happens but rather is something that develops as we seek after God.
Psalms 90:12 – Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. What is it you seek day in and day out? What do you focus on when you rise in the morning? A promotion at work? A beautiful home? Your check account balance? Are you waiting for graduation day? The day of your marriage? Our main focus each day should be a deeper walk with Jesus! We should rise and seek after His grace and His heart of wisdom. Something I say and post on Twitter often is I’m seeking His face, desiring His grace. That should be our focus.
Psalms 111:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Fear is a word we don’t do well with in today’s society. We cringe at the thought of fear when it comes to God. We would rather use the word – and often have – to revere the Lord – often because it is an easier word to push aside I think. The Amplified Version of the Bible starts this verse by saying the reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom… I think we are missing the fear of God – the fear of His wrath and His judgment. This lack of fear causes us to take lightly sin and the ways of the world. We cannot walk in the wisdom of God if we do not fear Him!
Psalms 119:169 – May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word. Crying out to the Lord each day and often during the day is essential as we strive to seek the Wisdom of God. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Discipline has to do with doing something regularly – timely – as prescribed. We cannot expect to gain the wisdom of God if we only seek after it on occasion.
Proverbs 2:1-5 – 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Again the command is to store up in your heart the words of God. Wisdom comes from storing up God’s words and applying our hearts to His understanding.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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The Wisdom of God is Amazing – Day 2
1 Kings 3:9-10
9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. NLT
Today’s reading has four passages:
1 Kings 4:29-34
1 Kings 10:1-13
2 Chronicles 1:7-12
Job 28:12-28
They can be found at on these links:
http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/2
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%204:29-34&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2010:1-13&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%201:7-12&version=NIV1984
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2028:12-28&version=NIV1984
Because Solomon sought to have nothing between himself and God – God gave him wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 1 Kings 4:29 Wisdom is what Solomon was known for in the region. His wisdom was unsurpassed. The Book of Proverbs is filled with some of the wisdom of Solomon. His knowledge about all things amazed people.
Foreign diplomats and rulers heard of his wisdom and came from far and wide to test him. The queen of Sheba couldn’t believe what she had heard and came to visit with Solomon and to test his wisdom.
In 2 Chronicles 1 we read another account of Solomon’s response to God – seeking wisdom to rule God’s people. 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 – 7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
If we seek after God – God will bless us – maybe not with the riches of Solomon – but God is amazingly more capable to bless us than we can fathom.
The Book of Job also speaks of wisdom: Job 28:12-13 – 12 “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? 13 Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. True wisdom is found only in a relationship with God – in our deep abiding walk with Jesus.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Seeking Wisdom – the Heart of God – Day1
1 Kings 3:9-10
9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. NLT
Today’s reading – 1 Kings 3:1-28 – can be found at either of these links:
http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom/1
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%203&version=NLT
Solomon is seen as a man after the heart of his father David – who had a heart after the heart of God. He followed the teachings his father followed – and he put himself in the place of the Priest as well as being the King – by sacrificing burnt offerings to God. Solomon wanted nothing to come between him and God – no man or no thing.
Solomon was blown away with the position of responsibility he had been given. He didn’t think of himself as worthy.
1 Kings 3:7-8 – 7 “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! NLT
Have we ever been in such a place? Have we ever experienced a feeling of unworthiness? It is a humbling feeling.
Solomon asked for wisdom to rule the people God had given to him and this pleased God. And because he asked for wisdom to rule God’s people rather than for something for himself God blessed him.
1 Kings 3:11-14 – 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both riches and honor — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
I want the heart of Solomon who wanted the heart of God. I pray this desire for you as well today. May we seek after wisdom to serve God – wherever God has placed us!
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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Seeking Wisdom
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Wisdom is something we should all seek after – shouldn’t we? Godly wisdom is something that God wants to give to us – generously – according to today’s passage. Why wouldn’t we seek after it? Why would we think we could survive on our own wisdom? Remember the last time we did…? Godly wisdom is something we should seek after for sure.
On January 10th we will begin a 21-day prayer/fast at Mt. Oak – seeking God’s will for a new year – for our church – for our lives and families. There are 12 days – starting tomorrow (Thursday) – before the fast begins. I would like to invite you to join me in a daily reading on Wisdom for those 12 days. You can find this 12 day reading plan at http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/wisdom – or in your reading plans on YouVersion under Glo Bible and Topical and the word Wisdom. You can sign up online or on your data device so you can follow along with the readings each day – or simply read this post daily and I will put up the information and make some comments as well. You can ask questions on my blog page (http://raymcdonald.wordpress.com/), through e-mail (mailto:ray@mtoak.org) or at Ask the Pastor (http://www.facebook.com/groups/174396889286714/) on Facebook.
I’m looking forward to this reading plan and to the 21-day prayer/fast that is coming soon. May God touch our hearts and mold us into the men and women God desires. I know I need wisdom to be the husband – father – man of God that God desires. It could all start tomorrow! Join me.
Just something to think about today as you go on your way.
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