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. James 1:5 One short verse, but so much truth here! Let’s unpack it together: Humility The verse begins, If any of you lacks wisdom. In order to receive, we must first acknowledge we lack it! A prideful heart resists asking for help. Self-sufficiency is a chief stumbling block to attaining wisdom. Ask God God is the source of wisdom. When we go looking elsewhere, true wisdom will elude us. At best, we will get a band-aid rather …
Letting It Go
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience, it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 While the TSA may admonish air travelers, “If you see something, say something,” perhaps God’s advice would more often be, “If you see something, pray something.” The most Christ-like, holy action we take today might be to close our mouths: to choose prayer over retaliation, intercession over criticism. Perhaps the best way to hone this spiritual life skill is to practice the habit of “prayer walking” — allowing what you see to prompt you to pray. Resist the urge to condemn as you …
Lay Hold and Hold On
“…Lay hold of my words with all your heart…” Proverbs 4:4 “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” Proverbs 4:13 Have you ever laid hold of something as if your life depended on it (probably the equivalent of “with all your heart”)? If you’re in deep water and someone throws out a life preserver, you wouldn’t try to catch it with one finger – your arms would be embracing it. That’s the passion and intention with which we should lay hold of the Word of God. Laying hold is what …
Knowledge, Wisdom, and Discipling
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 After mulling over what it means to be a “woman who fears the Lord” in Proverbs 31, I came back to Proverbs 1 at the beginning of the month and found this nugget: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge … The place to begin for knowledge is a posture of reverence, holy fear, and awe towards God. He is the source of all knowledge because He is the creator of all. A rebellious heart may reject or …
Concentrate and Breathe
Danny is being asked to concentrate a lot lately. It is hard work. But it is producing results. Sometimes he finds he is holding His breath and the visiting therapist will say breathe! I have had to remind myself more than once during all this to just breathe. And to concentrate. Concentrate on Danny. And most of all God’s Word and His faithfulness to it. Oh beloved, God is with you and He is telling you that you don’t have to hold your breath. He also says now is the time to concentrate. Remind yourself what the Word says. That’s …
Dear Younger Me
“If I knew then what I know now…” These wishful words are usually spoken in regret of something we should have done differently. However, we aren’t born with instant knowledge and wisdom. There are those rare people who will heed the advice of someone who has already been down the road. But most of us are experiential learners. We read about someone’s problem and their solution, all the while believing we will obtain different results. Usually, we experience the same failures and pain. We must attend the school of life where experience is the greatest teacher. Looking Forward—No Regrets Mercy …
Detours Are Not Always Bad
As I made my way down the street, I came upon a road construction sign. The sign was huge and fluorescent orange; it sure enough got my attention. The words clearly marked: “ROAD CLOSED”. Taking heed to the sign, I momentarily paused trying to decide which direction to take. However, I took a detour to the right and continued to my destination. Why was the road closed? Was the area flooded due to the heavy rains? Could it have been trees that had fallen and blocked the path? I may never know the reason, but the sign was a sure …
Comes With Wisdom
“My son pay attention to what I say, listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are left to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 The wisdom we receive from our Heavenly Father is to be placed in our hearts where it will be forever. We may try to ignore it but it will always be there. The wicked will enter our lives and try to disrupt the way …
The Wisdom of God
I Corinthians 3:18-20 “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The LORD knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.’” I’m sure you can think of someone who is smarter than you. I could tell you about a few different people I’ve taken classes with or listened to lectures from who I …