Category: Wisdom

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A Good Reminder

Some lessons in life aren’t learned the first time or even the second. I needed this reminder this morning.

I shared this a few years back but God is still working in me so that I can be successful every day…What a great way to start the New Year!

You know if God brings something to me, I’m going to share it with you too. So here goes – the other day I found myself complaining about some people and how they were doing something. It wasn’t the first time I had “complained” about this situation so when I finally finished my vent, I heard this in my heart. “Those are my kids and I want you to quit complaining about this. I’m working on them and as their parent, that’s My place – not yours!”

Oooo, I knew I had been rebuked but it didn’t end there. The Lord went on to say “I put you in their life to help them, not criticize and I put them in your life to help you get past being critical of people.”

Ouch!!

So this morning, if this applies to you – if you struggle with being critical of certain people and certain situations accept the correction that the Lord gave me.

“The LORD hates these seven things: 17 eyes that show pride, tongues that tell lies, hands that kill innocent people, 18 hearts that plan evil things to do, feet that run to do evil, 19 witnesses in court who tell lies, and anyone who causes family members to fight.” Proverbs 6:16-19 ERV

You see, I was being prideful and feeling superior, glad I wasn’t like “them” (double ouch) and God hates that. Pride is in some pretty bad company in these verses. It’s linked right in there with murder, perjury, those who plan evil and family discord. God sees them all the same and He hates all those actions.

It’s my job to be loving and helpful not critical and prideful. Yes Lord, I’ll be obedient.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world,” Philippians 2:14-15

We’re suppose to be different – we’re suppose to be a light!

So this is my prayer. “LORD, help me control what I say. Don’t let me say anything bad.” Psalm 141:3

Forgive me if I stepped on your toes. God is wanting us to be a light to those who have lost the sense of right and wrong. To do that we need to be different, we need to be godly.

We are to speak out against the evil and ungodliness in our world but we aren’t to speak evil of the people doing it!

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Making Good Choices

Yesterday I spent a lot of time talking about making good choices. It’s a lesson we all deal with on a daily basis.

We can’t force people to make good choices. It has to be a decision of the heart.

Our day is filled with choices. Do we rise early or over sleep? Do we eat a good breakfast or skip it entirely? Do we speed down the highway or stay within the limits of the law? Are we intolerant and lose our temper or patient and self-controlled? All are choices we make and we can blame no one for the consequences – we are responsible.

Moses had led over a million people through the desert for forty years and at the end of his life he gave them this instruction:

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy…19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:15-19 NLT

I know it seems elementary, almost remedial, but making right choices is a real sign of maturity. Life – death, blessing – curses, (here’a clue, right answer, choose life) Choosing to forgive, letting kindness be our guide, saying no to indulgences that bring pleasure for a moment but devastating consequences for weeks and years to come takes maturity.

One of the greatest gifts the Lord has given us is free will, the ability to make our own choices. We aren’t puppets or robots, we have the ability to think wisely and make proper decisions.

Have you ever been outside on a very dark night, in unfamiliar territory? We experience that alot when we go camping. The right choice in situations like that is to grab a flashlight. It has kept me from tripping over logs or getting off the path and stepping into a hole on numerous occasions. I could just stumble along, that would be my choice, however it wouldn’t be a good one.

When we need guidance and wisdom, which we all do, we have this promise from the Lord.

“Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps,  a light that shows the path I should take.
106 Your laws are good and fair. I have promised to obey them, and I will keep my promise.” Psalm 119:105-106 ERV

Before you make a choice today, consider the consequences and then ask God for wisdom. He’ll be glad to give it.

“If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking.” James 1:5 NLV

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Show Me The Way

So, I’m going to share with you a conversation that occurred yesterday between Dave and I. We flew to Texas early yesterday morning to pick up a “new-to-us” truck we purchased. We were in a smaller town outside of Dallas. Lyft took us from the airport to the dealership.

After we signed all the papers we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant across the parking lot and then we got in the truck and headed toward San Angelo. I had put San Angelo in the Waze app and tapped on “Go Now”. It calculated and started spitting out directions. We hadn’t programmed the NAV in the new truck yet so we were going off the phone. When Dave asked me to tell him how far our turn was I told him what it said on the screen. To which he replied that’s not possible we’re not going to Ft Worth.

All I could say is “but that’s what it says”. Good thing we were on a four-lane divided road because he was able to pull off and look at the screen and the direction. “This is all wrong. We have to figure something out.” Since I had no idea where we were and where we were going it was all on him. Finally, we got it calculated to a smaller town much closer and we were off again.

Show me the way home! The best way home!

How many times do we take off in one direction thinking we know what’s right and find out we should have recalculated. God’s word is our best road map!

If we call He will answer; if we seek He will show us the way; if we knock He will see that the door opens. Problem is, too often we don’t ask or we are too consumed in making our own way to follow His. I love that the Father is always there listening and He is always willing to answer when I call.

“Listen, Lord, as I pray! You are faithful and honest and will answer my prayer. 2 I am your servant. Don’t try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards. 3 My enemies are chasing me, crushing me in the ground. I am in total darkness, like someone long dead. 4 I have given up all hope, and I feel numb all over. 5 I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. 6 Then I lift my hands in prayer, because my soul is a desert, thirsty for water from you. 7 Please hurry, Lord, and answer my prayer. I feel hopeless. Don’t turn away and leave me here to die. 8 Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. 9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord! I come to you for safety. 10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path.
11 Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble. 12 I am your servant. Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.” Psalm 143 CEV

On those days when I feel like throwing up my hands and having a good cry I have learned if I offer up a prayer first, my way becomes more clear, the path opens up before me and the Father is even there to dry my tears.

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Good, Better, Best

My computer recently started showing signs that it was tired and slowly down. I talked to two of my computer “gurus” and their advice was the same – it’s time to get a newer, faster, better computer. The one I was currently using was over three years old and had served me well but it just couldn’t keep up.

I listened carefully when they told me what were “must have’s” and what they felt I needed most for my work. Then came the search. Some were good, others were better but which one was best? I compared ten to twenty different laptops before asking their advice on the one I purchased. Thumbs up!

One of my least favorite things to do is set up a computer and another one is setting up a new phone. I have done both of these in the last two months. I would rather go to a dentist or dig ditches; I feel so inadequate as I stumble my way through. I have told the Lord this several times, believe me. It was after much prayer for wisdom that I sat down yesterday morning and started the process. Thank you Lord for guiding me through the steps.

I had wished that someone could have been here talking to me, directing me. That would have been good. Better yet, it would have been nice to hand my old computer and my new one to someone and let them do all the setup and transferring of data. However, I wouldn’t have learned much in doing that. God did give me wisdom and I was able to overcome my apprehension and my fear. I used the “help” search a lot and was able to complete most of the tasks.

Today there are still several steps I need to finish up on so you can pray for me. But this morning I am writing the blog on my new computer and feeling very accomplished.

You might not be intimidated by computers and phones but there’s certainly an area of life where you feel that others excel and you are lacking. In those areas, you may also find yourself comparing yourself to others. The Apostle Paul says we are unwise when we do that.

“We don’t dare put ourselves in the same class with those who think they are so important. We don’t compare ourselves to them. They use themselves to measure themselves, and they judge themselves by what they themselves are. This shows that they know nothing.” II Corinthians 10:12 ERV

When we compare we do one of two things, we either judge ourselves as inferior to others or superior to them. Neither one of these is good. Our goal should be to see others the way the Lord sees them and to have others see Christ living in us. That is true success.

“Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

3 God has given me a special gift, and that is why I have something to say to each one of you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us.” Romans 12:2-3 ERV

The Lord will change us, and others, in a way that only He can. He will give us the understanding to recognize the good, the pleasing and the perfect. We will discover what is good, better and best!

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An Empty Page

Each morning I sit with my laptop and before me on the screen is an empty page. My heart’s prayer is “Lord let me fill it with Your words. I want to make an impact for you”.

This morning was different, I sat here for the longest time wondering what to write or if I should write at all. Then I realized that ‘s exactly what the Lord wants us to do – He wants us to sit each day with an empty page and ask Him to fill it.

People constantly sought Jesus out. Most of them were wanting some kind of a miracle; healing, deliverance from demonic oppression, or help with an impossible life situation but others were wanting to criticize and entrap Him. He needed to know what the Father wanted Him to do each day so He would rise early and spend time in prayer.

“The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray.” Mark 1:35 ERV

He offered the Father the blank page of His day and asked Him to fill it. There were times when Jesus’ disciples would say we should go here or there and Jesus would respond with a no or not yet. It’s important that we know which way the Father wants us to go.

“If you wander from the right path, either to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “You should go this way. Here is the right way.” Isaiah 30:21 ERV

A blank page can be intimidating or it can be exhilarating. If we feel that we need to fill the page on our own, without help or direction, we might become timid or immobile. But when we know that we can trust God to give us insight and instruction it brings a new excitement to what otherwise could be ordinary.

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful,  we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!’” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

When we start our day by bringing the Lord our empty page to fill we are in for an exciting and glorious day!

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Mightier Than The Sword

Every morning I take time to write two or three things I am grateful for as I start my day. It’s not a lengthy process but I have found that starting my day with gratitude greatly influences how the rest of my day will go. As I was finishing the last word in my journal my favorite pen ran out of ink.

This event is far from a crisis but it was disappointing. Writing is a part of who I am and having a pen that fits my hand is important to me. It’s not an expensive pen, in fact, it’s one I picked up in a doctor’s office a couple years back but I was so comfortable with it and now I will need to find a replacement.

As I was lamenting this situation the Lord quickly reminded me that what’s important is not the pen but the words. So true! I had just written I am grateful for wisdom and strength. Strength to face any circumstance and the wisdom to react properly.

My Bible reading took me to the perfect example of wisdom and strength. John, chapter 8, is where Jesus encounters the woman who was caught in adultery. The Pharisees dragged her through the streets and threw her at Jesus feet. They wanted to know if He was going to keep the Law and have her stoned or would he ignore the Law of Moses and give them an opportunity to arrest Him.

“They were saying this to trick Jesus. They wanted to catch him saying something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. But Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger.” John 8:6 ERV

Did you notice what Jesus didn’t do? He didn’t speak at first – instead He wrote. We don’t know what He wrote but it must have been powerful because the woman’s accusers left one by one. He used wisdom and displayed strength in this delicate situation. Yes, I am grateful when I use the strength and wisdom the Lord provides.

“They kept on asking Jesus about the woman. Finally, he stood up and said, “If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!” 8 Once again he bent over and began writing on the ground. 9 The people left one by one, beginning with the oldest.” John 8:7-9 CEV

It was an English author by the name of Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 who said “The pen is mightier than the sword”. Words can have more of an impact than physical, brute strength. I like what the writer of the book of Hebrews says:

“God’s Word is living and powerful. It is sharper than a sword that cuts both ways. It cuts straight into where the soul and spirit meet and it divides them. It cuts into the joints and bones. It tells what the heart is thinking about and what it wants to do.” Hebrews 4:12 NLV

As we approach a new day and a new week we would do well to fill our hearts and minds with God’s words – they will equip us with wisdom and strength and we will be prepared for any battle.

Yes, the words penned in Scripture are definitely mightier than the sword!

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The Crowning Touch

When I was in high school we were required to write an essay for English. In it, we were to describe what we wanted to do as a career. I thought long and hard, then it came to me, I would like to be a florist.

I worked at the local Dairy Queen after school and on weekends. Right next door was a florist. I would see the people come and go, picking up beautiful bouquets and arrangements. They all had smiling faces. When you stepped in the door, the fragrance was heavenly. I decided I would like to bring that kind of joy to people!

That career path never came to be. However, my love for fresh cut flowers and the beautiful arrangements is still close to the top of the list of things that bring a smile to my face. This morning I found these verses in Proverbs and I thought “how wonderful, God has blessed me with the beauty of flowers”.

“Be wise and learn good sense; remember my teachings and do what I say. 6 If you love Wisdom and don’t reject her, she will watch over you. 7 The best thing about Wisdom is Wisdom herself; good sense is more important than anything else. 8 If you value Wisdom and hold tightly to her, great honors will be yours. 9 It will be like wearing
a glorious crown of beautiful flowers.” Proverbs 4:5-9 CEV

Each day I can come to God’s Word and find wisdom. Did you notice that Solomon talks about Wisdom as a person, a beautiful woman? That she is. Wisdom provides direction, nurturing, common sense and loving provision. She is a wonderful asset and she adds beauty to our lives.

These are the words of the wisest man who ever lived. When the Lord asked him what he desired from the Lord his answer was Wisdom. Solomon wanted to rule wisely; he wanted His kingdom to be respected and honored. God blessed him with his request.

We can bring beauty to our kingdom by gaining wisdom. Our homes can be filled with it; we can bring respect and honor to our places of business and the schools we attend.

You may be feeling that you lack wisdom. I know that feeling well. However, God has not abandon us or left us to our own devices.

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 1:5-8 NLT

Let’s take some beauty to the world. Wear wisdom like a crown, a crown of beautiful flowers!

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Are You A Wise Man?

Would you have made a good wise man?

That’s the question I found I was asking myself this morning. Let’s examine their characteristics; they were studious, (they studied the skies looking for a sign), they were diligent, (they didn’t give up looking just because they didn’t see it right away), they were persistent, (they traveled a great distance and expended length of time to find the Christ child), they were consistent, (they weren’t distracted from their search) and they were dedicated (they committed to the task and didn’t stop until they reached their goal). Finally, they were reverent, they worshiped the Christ child and not the nation’s king.

It’s believed that the wise men’s journey took about 2 years. They found a child and not a babe. They traveled at their own expense and they brought gifts, lavish gifts, to the child. It cost them something – if they had been wrong in their search it would have cost them more than their finances, it would have cost them their reputation.

So I asked myself, what am I seeking? Oh, I have many things that I’m doing – preparing for the holidays, getting ready for company, baking and knitting but what am I seeking?

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 KJV

Jesus told Martha that only “one thing” was needed to her priority – hearing His word.

“Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 KJV

Lord, my desire is to be wise – to seek only one thing, You!

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So Many Questions

How many times a day do you answer questions? If you live with a toddler you might say that your entire day is spent that way. Honest questions are a search for knowledge and understanding. Others are asked to avoid the obvious and still some are poised to incite argument and confrontation. It’s not always easy to determine which are which.

Solomon, who the Bible says was the wisest man, told us to answer aggravating questions like this.

“A kind answer soothes angry feelings, but harsh words stir them up. 2 Words of wisdom come from the wise, but fools speak foolishness.” Proverbs 15:1-2 CEV

And James, who is best known for his teaching on controlling the tongue, gives us this instruction for contention.

“Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. 18 People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living.” James 3:16-18 ERV

This is good advice when dealing with someone who is simply asking questions to stir up anger and division. It’s best to answer softly and peaceably. But what about those honest questions that we ask ourselves and those that we ask God? It’s vitally important that we know how to ask and how to receive the wisdom we need.

When I’m needing answers to some questions that are past my knowledge I don’t want to be held back because of my ignorance. I seek the Father and His wisdom.

One thing that has been proven over the years, not just in my lifet but throughout time, is God is faithful and His word is true. When He tells us to ask for wisdom and that He will give it, He does! When He says ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will open, if we do and He does!

When we call – He answers!

“Moreover, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard, saying, 2 Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it—the Lord is His name: 3 Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).” Jeremiah 33:1-3 AMP

When it seems like we are in prison, the prison of our circumstances or the one caused by our limited knowledge or even an actual physical prison, He reminds us of who He is, His power and His willingness to help.

Call on Me and I WILL answer and I’ll show you the things that were hidden, the things that you don’t recognize or understand. CALL! After we call, be still and listen. It’s hard to hear correctly if we don’t stop talking.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV

I would encourage you to write the questions down and leave space to also fill in the answer when God gives it to you. When we ask in faith and sincerity God is always ready to provide the answers. In fact, the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit is to teach us.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 NKJV

I started my morning asking the Lord some questions of my own. Now I must take my leave – be still and listen!

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Where Am I Going? How Do I Get There?

Confusion is not from the Lord. Absolutely not!

He has always done everything in an orderly and well planned fashion. He created light and the dry land before He created the animals and plants. He put the grasses on earth before He created the cows, deer and elk.

He foretold the birth of Jesus thousands of years before the event and when it came time for Jesus’ earthly entry everything was in place. The wise men even followed the information Daniel had written hundreds of years before.

The crucifixion was orchestrated down to the words that were spoken on the cross. Every detail had been foretold and everything came to pass without deviation. God does things orderly. Even now, heaven is being prepared for us. Every desire and detail that will make heaven, heaven, is being fashioned as we live and breathe.

When we look at a situation or circumstance and try to plan our path or gain understanding and our minds are spinning, it’s time to call on the Lord for order and wisdom. From His vantage point He can see the details, the delays and the detours.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. 7-8 If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.” James 1:5-8 CEV

Once we’ve asked for wisdom we need to wait for it.

Expect God to show up with a game plan. Don’t become impatient or we will be tossed back and forth in our storm of indecision and misinformation. We can trust God to provide when we ask.

The Apostle Paul says that we battle in our minds, but the way we emerge victorious is to bring every thought “captive”. Rein it in, bring it under control but not a control of our own making, we bring it under the control that comes from knowledge in Christ.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” II Corinthians 10:3-5

So when confusion comes and it does, it’s our duty to cast it down, take it captive and renew our minds to God’s way of thinking.

Ask for wisdom and then be still and listen for God’s voice on the matter.

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