Get Wisdom

  Get wisdom

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour." Proverbs 4:5-9.

What is wisdom? Here’s one definition I believe sums wisdom up, 

“the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight.”

When it comes to being a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus. We need to ask God to give us wisdom in all situations in life.

One of the best ways is to pray and study the scriptures, not just read them. Pray and ask God to show you the truths held within the Bible. At the same time look at what various people in the Bible did. How they overcome problems.

Question... Do you ask God to give you wisdom, especially when dealing with other people?

Why not take some time right now to pray and ask God for wisdom.

            Please think about it.

Use Wisdom

 Use Wisdom

In the book of Colossians we read, 

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:3-6.

Jesus said,

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.

When I look at these two portions of scripture I see a cautionary note. We are called to proclaim the Gospel. While at the same time we are called to be cautious. 

There are people out there that don’t want anything to do with Christians or God. Some are outrightly hostile to the gospel message, as such we need to be cautious around them.

When we present the gospel we need to be respectful. We need to respectfully listen to them and answer their questions. Pointing them to the saving grace of God through Christ Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christian is this how you proclaim the gospel message?

Please think about it.

Advice from Proverbs

 Advice from Proverbs

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; 

do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, 

and she will protect you;

 love her, 

and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. 

Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour." 

                                                                  Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly too many people who claim to be Christians do not follow the advice here in Proverbs 4:5-9.

Their wisdom and understanding comes from the world around them. 

As believers in God. As believers in Christ Jesus, we should be looking to the scriptures for wisdom and understanding.

Thus the question become are you living by the wisdom of the world or the wisdom of God?

Please think about it.

There is a way

  There is a way

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour."

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 4:5-11.

When I look at the world around me here in North America be it at political leaders, religious leaders or the average person on the street. It seems to me that wisdom is lacking.

It seems particularly politicians and religious leaders lack wisdom and understanding. Everything they do it seems is a knee jerk reaction to things going on around them.

These leaders don’t it seems take time to evaluate to consequences of their actions and sadly the average person is following their example and doing the same thing. The result I feel is our society is running toward the abyss that is filled with fire and brimstone.

In Proverbs we read this warning,

“There is a way that seems right ot a man 

but in the end it leads to death.”

                                                            Proverbs 14:12.

Please think about it.

Sadly Christians forget

 Sadly Christians forget

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour." Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly I think Christians forget what is said here. They don’t get wisdom or understanding. Instead they rely too much on others to whom they think are wise and understand things, better than them.

Being a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus is a continuing learning process. A journey in which we should grow day by day. This not only includes studying the scriptures but studying the thing in the world around us. Observing people reading as wide a range of books as we can.

Christian life is not lived in a bubble. It is lived in a world filled with things both for and against what we as believers Christ believe. And the only way we know how to act toward them is by understanding why the world around us is they way it is.

Studying the scriptures in addition to studying the secular world around us, studying human behaviour, science, history, social behaviour or other things makes us wise. And shows us how we can best present the word of God.

If you consider yourself a Christian, when was the last time you studied the scriptures for yourself? When was the last time you looked at the world around you and studied what was happening?

Please think about it.

About Wisdom

  About Wisdom

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding;

 do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, 

and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; 

therefore get wisdom. 

Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her,

 and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head

 and present you with a crown of splendour."

                                                                   Proverbs 4:5-9.

Here’s one definition of wisdom I have found that I think sums it up correctly it states,

"Wisdom is the acquired skill 

of applying knowledge rightly"

                                             Author unknown.

It is particularly important for a believer in Christ Jesus, a Christian to apply the Biblical knowledge they have correctly, especially when dealing with non-believers.

Too many believers have with good intentions, misused the word of God and thus turned people away from belief in God.

I see this in the so called “Hell fire and brimstone preaching”. Where preachers again with the best of intentions remind people there is “a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun.” 

While this may seem logical to a Christian. To someone who doesn’t believe in God or Heaven and Hell it’s meaningless.

Yelling from the roof tops "repent or go to Hell!" doesn’t for the most part work in 2021.

Wisdom would tell us to “show the love of God to those around us.”

I’m certain when Jesus was accused of sitting with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15). He wasn’t preaching hellfire and brimstone. They wouldn’t have listened to Him. Quite the contrary he probably presented the word of God in a loving respectful manner.

If you look a the apostle Pauls speech to the Athenians(acts 17:17-34). Paul met those assembled were they were at. Then lovingly and respectfully presented the gospel of Christ to them.

I believe as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus in the twenty-first century we need to be constantly asking for God to show us the truths that are within the scriptures and the wisdom on how to apply them to those around us.

Please think about it.

What's to lose?

  What’s to lose?

The Apostle Paul writes,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Just for the record I believe what the Apostles Creed. Although not written by one of Jesus’ apostles it sums up what I and most Christians believe. It states,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

To some who do not believe in God the not only the Apostles Creed but everything the New Testament especially states looks like foolishness. 

Even if it is what’s to loose? Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. Blaise Pascal.

Please think about it.

What is good

 What is good

The Prophet Micah writes,

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

 And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God." 

                                                             Micah 6:8.

This is a duty of every believer in Christ Jesus. Every believer in God. 

  We are

to act justly, 

to love mercy, 

to walk humbly with God.

These attributes are what God desires in a believer.

Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a believer in Christ are these attributes visible in your life?

Please think about it.

Do you?

  Do you?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone Colossians 4:5,6.

Sometimes I think Christians forget about wisdom, especially here in North America. They are too focussed on getting things their way. On protecting their rights.

They spend their time complaining that the duly elected secular government is giving rights to people they object too. Then when a group pushes back they complain even more loudly. This should not be so.

As Christians we should be asking for Gods wisdom in reaching the world around us. We should be engaging those we disagree with not in a positive none condemning way. We should remember the words of Jesus who gave us a bench mark to follow when dealing with others, when he said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.

When dealing with those outside our faith, we should be asking ourselves; would I like to be treated the way I treated that person?  

Thus my question is: Do you, in everything, you do, do to others what you would have them do to you?

Please think about it.

Reckless words vs Wise Words

Reckless words vs Wise words
The writer of proverbs states,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” 

                                                 Proverbs 12:18.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we are accountable for our actions. We must always remember that it is through our words and deeds that people will see Christ. We must remember that our words and deeds potentially have eternal consequences.
We must always think before we speak. As the writer of Proverbs states “Reckless words pierce like a sword.”
The wrong words at the wrong time can scar a person for life. The wounds from words can hurt a person far more than a physical injury.
Likewise right words at the right time can bring healing. That is why we must think before we speak asking God for wisdom.
Our prayer should be the words of the Psalmist who writes,
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.
Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are your words and the meditations of your heart pleasing to God.
Please think about it.

Reckless words

Reckless words
In Proverbs we read,

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing." 

                                                   Proverbs 12:18.

As Christians we must be careful what we say.
I believe Christians have been given a sacred trust by God to reach the world and point individuals to heaven. It is something we should not take lightly.
All too many people here in Canada and the United States tend to live in a bubble. With few if any non-Christian friends. To make matters worse they mix “their rights and freedoms” given to them by the secular government with their faith.
As Christians we must remember what we say has the potential for eternal consequences. Our words have the ability to point people to Christ or push them away.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,

 live at peace with everyone.”

                                                     Romans 12:18.

In order to live at peace with anyone we need to mind what we say and do. We need to reach out to others with the love of God in word and deed.
The apostle John wrote,

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue 

but with actions and in truth.”

                                                1 John 3:18.

The apostle Paul tells us,
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” Colossians 4:5,6.
Question; If you claim to be a Christian are you using your words wisely? What are your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?
Please think about it.

Better

Better
The Solomon the writer of Ecclesiastes writes,
“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.
Here Solomon points out that entering a house of mourning a house grieving the loss of a loved one is better that entering a house that is celebrating.
The way I see it Solomon is right.
Not so long ago my wife’s younger brother died suddenly he was only in his early forties. Young by any standards. One of the common, for lack of a better expression phrases I noted from those who attended the funeral was “he was so young. It just goes to show you, you never know when death will happen.”
Solomon notes,
“The thoughts of the wise are in the house of mourning, but the thoughts of fools are in the house of pleasure. Ecclesiastes 7:4.
The way I see it is the death of someone should cause us to think about out mortality. Everyone knows that we will one day die. Yet it seems in our society especially here in the western nations we don’t plan for death. We live in “the house of pleasure”.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo.
Thus my question to you the reader. Upon your death will you be happy?
I as a believer in Christ Jesus believe you can know whether or not you will be happy upon your death. The apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.

The Beginning of Wisdom

The beginning of Wisdom
The Psalmist writes,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

 To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                           Psalm 111: 10.

I believe if more people believed in God and His precepts the world would be a far better place.
In my previous blog I quoted Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 that said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
When man loses his fear of God. Fear of ultimate judgement things can go terribly wrong. We only have to look at Adolf Hitler and the Nazis during the second world war. They did not fear judgement. They turned to their own evil ways fearing no one in this world or the next. The result was in excess of fifty-six million plus men women and children murdered in the war and genocide they were responsible for.
They had no fear of God’s judgement. They did not fear God and follow His wisdom.
Think of it if those men and women responsible for starting the second world war and creating the holocaust had just followed one word of advice of Jesus that being,

“So in everything, 

do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 

                                                 Matthew 7:12  

If they and for that matter society in general had followed the teachings of Jesus who when asked,
  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
The world would have been a much better place and fifty six million plus people would have lived.
Today in the twenty-first century it is incumbent I believe on all people to seek God’s wisdom to Love God, our neighbour and even our enemy.
I believe if we as individuals and a society would do this the world would be a better place.
Please think about it.

Wisdom

Wisdom From the Spirit

"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.  
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.  
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  
However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—  but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  
The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  
The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 
For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” 
But we have the mind of Christ."
1 Corinthians 2:6-2:16.
Here Paul makes the point that non-Christians don’t see Christ and the scriptures in the same way we as Christians do.
He notes that,
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.”
When we came to know the Lord as our personal Saviour we received His Spirit. It was God’s Spirit that opened our eyes to the truth and wisdom of God.
We suddenly seen the scriptures in a different light. They were no longer just good words. Within them was deep meaning.
Paul notes,
“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
I believe no one can call Jesus Lord without the Spirit of God prompting him. No one can accept the salvation Christ offers without the Holy Spirit convincing him.
Almost all historians accept the fact that Jesus was a real man. That he walked the earth and taught wonderful and wise things. But they see him as just that ‘a man’.
They cannot see the deeper things of God and Christ because what they have is an intellectual knowledge of Jesus.
My father who grew up in England, learned the Bible in school and attended the church of England and knew scripture well.
Intellectually we could sit and talk about the scriptures, but he had a difficult time understanding the spiritual truths contained in the bible, because I believe he had never received the Spirit of God.
When he did he was a different man. His eyes were open and he seen the truths he’d been missing.
We as Christians need to pray for those around us. For those we talk to and witness too that they may accept Christ and see the wisdom and hidden truths within the Scriptures.
When we as Christians read the scriptures, we need to pray and ask God to show us the deep wisdom that are contained in them.
Think about it.

The Wisdom of God

The Wisdom of God

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
1 Corinthians 1:18-24
The way in which Jesus came to this earth in man’s terms at least seems odd.
Jesus was not born in a King’s palace where he could have exercised great influence. Instead he was born to simple parents who were devout believers.
Being devout believers his parents would have taught him the tenants of their and his faith.
Also as I see it, growing up as an average person Jesus experienced everything it was to be a man.
Wealthy people as good as most may be, quite often don’t understand what it is to be poor and live from hand to mouth.
Jesus as he was growing up must have seen the poor around him. He certainly understood what it was like for the average person on the street. He understood the temptations of the average person. He would also have seen any oppression.
It would have been counter productive for him to grow up in a wealthy family with all of the worldly comforts, if he was to judge the world.
No one standing before Jesus can ever say, “You don’t understand what it is to be in my position, to be poor or average.” because he does. He lived as an ordinary person as most of the population lived.
He can also look at the rich and powerful on that day of judgement and say “you could have done more. You had to power to change the lives of the poor and needy.”
Paul also says,
“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
There are a lot of sceptics in the world with regard to Christ and God. There are a lot of unbelievers who simply can’t or won’t take an open and honest look at the Bible. Who wont read even just the New Testament.
Some people will admit Jesus is a good man. But they can’t make that leap of faith and say he is the Son of God.
Many people of faith, don’t believe God would allow Jesus to go to the cross.
The crucifixion for me, shows in human terms just how far God would go to reconcile man to himself.
He is saying I love you so much I would die for you.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8. 
It takes a leap of faith to believe in Jesus but Christ is waiting for all who would believe with outstretched hands. All we have to say is I believe.
Think about it.

Of Wisdom

Of Wisdom

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
                                                                                                         Proverbs 2:1-8
Kenneth L Barker a commentator for the Zondervan NIV study Bible notes,
“Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications.” 
(Barker, Kenneth L. Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Fully Revised): James. 1920. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1985, 1995, 2002.) 
The more we read the Bible the more knowledge about our faith we obtain and the more wisdom we receive. Which helps us to better serve the Lord.
There are many excellent teachers out there. Many Excellent ministers and evangelist who preach God’s word eloquently and are truly giving people insight to the word of God.
These men and women are doing so because they have studied the scriptures with a mind opened to God and with no preconceived ideas.
They have prayed and meditated on the word of God asking God for insight. This is what we all should do irrespective of who we are.
Be we the most educated person in our congregation or the least. Even a child can gain insight and wisdom from the Bible.
Read again what Barker states,
“Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications”
Put another way Wisdom is knowing what to do with knowledge in a very practical way.
When it comes to serving the Lord wisdom will show us how to use what we have learned from the Bible and others to best effect.
Read the quote from Proverbs again,
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
                                                                                                         Proverbs 2:1-8.
Think about it.