Acquiring Wisdom
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God’s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We’re all able to recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities--either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we’ are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word.
For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel” (spoken gently).
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life--absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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Romans 4:20
Strong in faith.
Christian, take good care of thy faith; for recollect faith is the only way whereby thou canst obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers, from God's throne except it be the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and the Lord Jesus in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send up prayer, nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraphic wire which links earth and heaven-on which God's messages of love fly so fast, that before we call He answers, and while we are yet speaking He hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith be snapped, how can we receive the promise? Am I in trouble?-I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy?-my soul on her dear Refuge leans by faith. But take faith away-in vain I call to God. There is no road betwixt my soul and heaven. In the deepest wintertime faith is a road on which the horses of prayer may travel-ay, and all the better for the biting frost; but blockade the road, and how can we communicate with the Great King? Faith links me with divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of God. Faith engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith ensures every attribute of God in my defence. It helps me to defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march triumphant over the necks of my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything of the Lord? Let not him that wavereth-who is like a wave of the Sea-expect that he will receive anything of God! O, then, Christian, watch well thy faith; for with it thou canst win all things, however poor thou art, but without it thou canst obtain nothing. "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
~Charles Spurgeon~
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No Worries
I trust that these words from Isaiah will encourage you today. Read carefully what God has to say,
"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?... But I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared--the LORD of hosts is His name" (Isaiah 51:12-13 and 15).
God spans the heavens with the palm of His hand. The nations are as a drop in the bucket before Him. There is nothing too hard for Him, and nothing He cannot do.
A number of years ago, I had the chance to go elk hunting with a friend in Montana. We were lying outside under the stars, and I was unprepared for the glory I saw. I have never seen so many stars in my life! It took my breath away!
As we lay there, I said, "You know what? God spans the heavens with His hand, and you and I are worried about paying the rent!" It was just one of those moments. We both just cracked up at how ridiculous it was to worry when God was so big.
What are you worrying about today? Whatever it is, place it into God's hands. After all, His hand spans the entire universe!
~Bayless Conley~
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GEN. 13:10,11. II Pet. 2:7,8. Gal. 6:7. ‑Luke 17:32. II Cor. 6:14,17. ‑Eph. 5:7,8,10,11.
EVENING
If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.
He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. -- I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Stand ... having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -- The Lord is with thee, ... Go in this thy might.
JOSH. 14:12. Heb. 13:5,6. -Psa. 71:16. Isa. 32:17. Eph. 6:14,12,13. ‑Judg. 6:12,14.
~Samuel Bagster~
I trust that these words from Isaiah will encourage you today. Read carefully what God has to say,
"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? And you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?... But I am the LORD your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared--the LORD of hosts is His name" (Isaiah 51:12-13 and 15).
God spans the heavens with the palm of His hand. The nations are as a drop in the bucket before Him. There is nothing too hard for Him, and nothing He cannot do.
A number of years ago, I had the chance to go elk hunting with a friend in Montana. We were lying outside under the stars, and I was unprepared for the glory I saw. I have never seen so many stars in my life! It took my breath away!
As we lay there, I said, "You know what? God spans the heavens with His hand, and you and I are worried about paying the rent!" It was just one of those moments. We both just cracked up at how ridiculous it was to worry when God was so big.
What are you worrying about today? Whatever it is, place it into God's hands. After all, His hand spans the entire universe!
~Bayless Conley~
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MORNING
Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan.
Just Lot ... that righteous man.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. -- Remember Lot's wife.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteous-ness? and what communion hath light with darkness? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing. -- Be not ye ... partakers with them. For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. -- Remember Lot's wife.
GEN. 13:10,11. II Pet. 2:7,8. Gal. 6:7. ‑Luke 17:32. II Cor. 6:14,17. ‑Eph. 5:7,8,10,11.
EVENING
If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.
He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. -- I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Stand ... having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of righteousness. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -- The Lord is with thee, ... Go in this thy might.
JOSH. 14:12. Heb. 13:5,6. -Psa. 71:16. Isa. 32:17. Eph. 6:14,12,13. ‑Judg. 6:12,14.
~Samuel Bagster~
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