Tag: wisdom

Whom are you Reflecting in your Character?

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I have had an inordinately busy week. I wonder if others see me as frantic, calm, focused or scattered? How do I want them to perceive me? This is a question for reflection as we consider- How do others perceive you, your actions and your character? Everyone likes to be looked upon favorably. I would suggest that what we need to be more concerned about is how God perceives us, our deeds and character. In 1 Kings 10:6-9 records the words of the visiting Queen of Sheba as she meets King Solomon. “And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 

She extols Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity and his ruling with justice and righteousness. In verse 9, she says this must be because God delights in him. She was right as All of the attributes Solomon exhibited were given by God. Solomon had asked God for wisdom so he could rule the nation of God’s people with justice. 1 Kings 3: 9-13. “ Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.” 

This example from scripture forces us to examine our own lives and ask what attributes has God given me that I might serve him. When we accept Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. Besides the gifts of faith and eternal life, God enhances our character and begins to make us more and more like Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23 lists some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” What attributes are you seeing in your own life? How have they changed over time? It pleases God when we use our godly attributes to engage with our world. Just like Solomon, others see how we are blessed by God as we seek to reflect His character in our lives.

Linda

Where Do You Get True Wisdom? Ask God.

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How many times have you been criticized for not knowing something or stuck because you did not know what to do? It happens in life, as we cannot know all things. God is wise and promises to give us the wisdom we need. I find that very comforting and reassuring.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The Bible tells us God is wise and has all widom. Job 12:13 “With God are wisdom and might;  he has counsel and understanding.” Daniel elaborates on this in Daniel 2:20-24 “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,  to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons;   he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise  and knowledge to those who have understanding;22 he reveals deep and hidden things;  he knows what is in the darkness,  and the light dwells with him.” The picture of God’s wisdom given by Job and Daniel shows us that God’s wisdom extends to all things. He is omnipotent, all-knowing.

Knowing that God is the sources of all wisdom, leads us to the conclusion that if we desire wisdom on any given subject or matter, God is the one we should turn to. This promise in James encourages us to come to God and ask Him for wisdom. He promises to give us wisdom without judging us for not knowing. There is no condemnation from God because we do not know what is the wise course of action. He has compassion upon us and promises to guide and direct us in life. The only way to get the true wisdom we need is to ask God. The promise says that He will give it to us generously. That means He will provide wisdom liberally, openhandedly and in abundance! I am also encouraged by Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” Through our faith in Jesus, He will grace us with all wisdom and insight. Accessing God’s wisdom can be done in several ways. We can pray and ask God directly or we can search God’s Word for wisdom He has already given to us. Sometimes when I pray about a problem, He will direct me through the Holy Spirit to His Word to find the answer. Sometimes He will use a fellow brother or sister in Christ to give me a good idea to pray about for confirmation.

What we can know from this verse: God is wise, God gives wisdom, God does not judge us for not having wisdom, God knows I need wisdom to live for Him, to receive His wisdom I must ask.

Lenten Reflections: Where am I struggling to make a decision that needs God’s wisdom? Have I asked God or searched His Word? How can I used God’s wisdom wisely in my life?

God acknowledges that we do not have all the wisdom we need for living and He promises to provide it to us abundantly. He does that when we ask Him in prayer or search His Word. The Bible is God’s manual for living and has God’s wisdom inside. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can ask God for answers and He will give me the wisdom I need to make the right decisions. I can live confidently that God has all the answers.

Linda

Related verses: Job 9:4, Job 12:16, Psalm 104:24, Ephesians 3:10, Matthew 7:7, John 11:22.

Second Sunday of Lent 2021=Assurances, Hope and Grace Revealed!

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What a powerful week we’ve had this first full week of Lent. Here are the truths uncovered in the first Chapter 1 of Colossians in verses 5-14. What an abundance of assurances in hope, love, joy, grace, wisdom and care from our loving heavenly Father through the work of the Son. Meditate again on these nuggets of truth from God’s Word and treat them as true treasures that will embolden and strengthen you in Christ so you can walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead,

I have faith and love that gives me hope that is stored up in heaven for eternity. Colossians 1:5-6a “the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you.”

I have a living and vibrant grace-filled faith to share with the world. Colossians 1:6b “Indeed, just as in the whole world the gospel is constantly bearing fruit and spreading [by God’s power], just as it has been doing among you ever since the day you first heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth [becoming thoroughly and deeply acquainted with it].”

I can live a life that grows and matures in God’s love and can have an eternal effect on others. Colossians 1:7-8 “just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

I can know and understand the things of God with spiritual wisdom which helps me to walk daily in a way that pleases Him. Colossians 1:9-10 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

I can receive benefits of faith that lead to greater knowledge of Him, strength, endurance, patience and joy! Colossians 1:11-12 “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you  to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” 

I am saved out of darkness and brought into the light of Christ fully redeemed and forgiven! Colossians 1:13-14 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

This Second Sunday of Lent, Let us Praise Him with Psalm 150.

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
    praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
    praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
    praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!

Linda

Wise men still seek Him

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Today’s portion of the Christmas Story is one filled with wonder as we consider our All Wise God.  Herod was an evil, jealous king who would do anything to protect his kingship.

wise menNow after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,  2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way.  Matthew 2:1-9

Herod did not know of Jesus’ birth.  Since the Magi had traveled from the east starting when they saw the Bethlehem Star in the sky when Jesus was born,  their arrival could have been 1-2 years after Jesus’ birth.  It would have taken considerable time to come from the east, perhaps Persia.  It would have been customary to come to the current king to inquire of this new baby king-where he was. They probably thought Herod, the current king, would surely know where this baby was, however, He did not.   So they continued their journey….. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with gold-frankincense-and-myrrhMary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  The gifts they brought were fitting for a king:  gold, incense and myrrh.    The myrrh was presented to Jesus at this birth and was also given to him at the crucifixion as it was a pain reliever.  Jesus refused to dull his pain by taking any (Mark 15:23).   Then the disciples used a mixture of spices and myrrh to prepare His body for burial (John 19:39).  The wise men had followed the star for hundreds of miles, knew that God was directing them towards the new king and undoubtedly realized the greed and jealousy that Herod possessed.  Herod had listened to them but had not been eager to come with them even the short distance to Bethlehem.  He let them do the finding so then he could take care of this new rival king.   So…when God warned, they listened and acted.  12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

wise GodGod is wise.  He is not simply all-knowing.  He uses his knowledge to do exactly what is right.  God’s Word is full of His wisdom.  Both His plan of redemption which sent Jesus and His creation are perfectly wise.  All wisdom comes form God.  Job 12:13 ““To God belong wisdom and power;  counsel and understanding are his.”   These traveling Magi or wise men came seeking the Savior.  God in His wisdom led them to come at just the right time and to the exact place He had chosen.  God protected both the men and Jesus’ family from evil Herod who He knew would seek to kill the babe.  The wise men were truly wise as they listened to God.

What about you?  Do you seek to know God and be filled with His wisdom that is in His Word?  Do you have listening hears to hear God’s wisdom when He gives it to you in prayer or through His Word?   Through faith in Jesus we can know God and understand the wise God we serve.  Ephesians 1:7-8  In him(Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished ephesians 1 8on us. With all wisdom and understanding,    Knowing Jesus opens up the wisdom of God to believers so  we can read His Word with understanding, seek to know Him better and live a life filled with godly wisdom.  Thank you Jesus.

Linda

Christ has it – No need to worry or fret!

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Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I have untold resources and possibleriches available to me in Christ.  Once we grasp this concept of riches in Christ, a whole new world is opened to us.  As Jesus said, in Matthew 17:20, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Here are some key verses about God’s riches given to us in Christ.  Philippians 4:19 philippians 4 19is a wonderful promise from God. “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”  God knows what we need and promises to supply all our needs.  When I am stressing over money, relationships or personal suffering, I take great comfort in knowing Jesus has my back and will provide all that I need whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual.  He is there with me and knows my needs before even I do.  In Colossians 2:2-3,  Paul expands the idea as he speaks to the Colossains. “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so col 2 2 3that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.   Jesus has resources that can bring me complete understanding and encourage me to work together for Him in love.

The riches available to us in Christ are for:  the strengthening of our faith, the release from worry about material provisions, the increase in understanding of His Word and the understanding of the mystery of salvation, atonement, sanctification, forgiveness, justification, Christlike living, fruits of the Holy Spirit, ……    With this increased knowledge and focus we are rich and have all we need for godly living in Christ! Like the Colossians we will  be united in purpose and love as we serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Linda

Suggestion:  Make a list of the things you understand about Christ today that were hard or unknown to you before becoming a follower of Jesus.  You will be thankful and amazed.  Make a list ways God has provided for you in just the last few months.  You will be thankful and amazed!  Thank you Jesus.

Got Blessings? Are you willing to follow and listen?

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When I began this series on being blessed and what it means, I started with the definition of blessed.  Being blessed is receiving a gift of divine favor, receiving good wishes or approval or receiving anything that gives happiness or prevents misfortune.  Today’s scripture in Psalm 94:12 emphasizes the receiving of happiness and stopping of misfortune which results from being open to God’s instruction and discipline.  Psalm 94:8-13  is a bit longer in the Amplified version, it brings clarity to the passage.

Consider thoughtfully, you senseless (stupid ones) among the people;
And you [dull-minded] fools, when will you become wise and understand?
9 
psalm 94 12He who made the ear, does He not hear?
He who formed the eye, does He not see?
10 
He who instructs the nations,
Does He not rebuke and punish,
He who teaches man knowledge?
11 
The Lord knows the thoughts of man,
That they are a mere breath (vain, empty, futile).

12 
Blessed [with wisdom and prosperity] is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord,
And whom You teach from Your law,
13 
That You may grant him [power to calm himself and find] peace in the days of adversity,
Until the pit is dug for the wicked and ungodly.

The psalmist asks us to consider God and what He has done and what He knows. God can and does bless the one who follows His teachings, accepts His correction and direction and pays attention to the details of His Word.   The blessing comes when one follows God’s Word and finds God’s peace in the troubled times in which we live.

blessings-quoteHave you experienced God’s blessing of wisdom and success in your life?  Did the greatest blessings come when you followed His Word and walked with Him?  Was it a peace-filled time even though the world’s circumstances were in turmoil around you? According to scripture, you have been blessed.  The psalmist felt that way and finished this psalm in verses 23-24 with total dependence and trust in God and His power to defend and vanquish all his foes.

But the Lord has become my high tower and defense,
And my God the rock of my refuge.
23 
He has turned back their own wickedness upon them
And will destroy them by means of their own evil;
The Lord our God will wipe them out.

May you cling to Jesus today and trust Him to bless, guide and defend you as you walk with Him.

Linda

Why Transform our hearts?

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God is very intentional in His transformation of our hearts.  I would say there is no wasted efforts or motions in God’s plans.  Unlike man, God is omniscient and knows the beginning and the end.  He knows where we are going and how to get us where He wants us to be.  Here are a couple of verses that point to God’s intent or purpose in transforming our hearts.

psalm 90 12Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days  that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Jeremiah 32:40 “I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.”

God wants us to realize that we are accountable to Him and use our time here on earth wisely.  He desires we affect others with our lives and show His goodness and glory in what we say and do.    In the Jeremiah passage God tells us what He will do for believers.  We have an everlasting covenant of salvation in Jesus, He promises to not turn from us- He is completely faithful, He desires good for us and will do it and He wants us to love and follow Him.  God wants us to spend eternity with Him and the only way that is possible is if we wisely turn to Him, accept His salvation in Jesus and have a make-over of our heart’s desires.  A transformed heart is essential for the Christian believer and something God does with intentionality.   Look back at the ways He transforms our heart… with joy and praise, love and faith, commitment, purity, kindness, compassion and forgiveness, devotion and obedience.  His way brings results and fills our hearts with His heavenly treasures.

Jer 32 40Let’s make this a day of Thanksgiving to God for His grace and mercy.  Thanking Him that for transforming us so we can live lives of purpose and bear fruit for His kingdom.

Linda

Heartfelt Proverbs

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Proverbs has a lot to say about the heart.  Sometimes the truth is given directly like in Proverbs 24:1-2  “Be not envious of evil men,  nor desire to be with them,  2 for their hearts devise violence,  and their lips talk of trouble” and Proverbs 6:14 describes a wicked man’s heart, “with perverted heart devises evil,  continually sowing discord.”  Very often the proverbs are given with a contrast between the good heart and the bad and seek to teach or instruct us about our hearts.   Proverbs 28:14  “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,  but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. “  The writer of Proverbs was wise and desired us to know how God views the heart of man and that God would not just be an observer in our lives.  Proverbs 21:2  “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”  Proverbs 17:3 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”  

Proverbs also teaches how our hearts can and do please or displease God.  Proverbs 15:13-15 speaks of the cheerful, seeking heart and how a sorrow can crush the spirit of our heart.   “A glad heart makes a cheerful face,  but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.  15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”   Proverbs 14:30 speaks of the effects of calm and envy on the heart.   “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,   but envy makes the bones rot.”  In Proverbs 6:16-19 we are given a list of things God hates that really displease Him. “There are six things that the Lord hates,  seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.”

How do these ‘heart’ proverbs speak to you today?  Is your heart cheerful and calm or do you have times when you feel discord, disharmony or evil?  Because of the root of sin in our hearts, we need to continually submit our hearts to the Lord for His continual transformation.   I love Proverbs 22:11 “He who loves purity of heart,  and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”  I do want King Jesus as my friend so I need to submit to daily cleansing at His feet in prayer.   Won’t you join me today?

proverbs 22Prayer:  Lord Jesus, you know the true nature of my heart.  Root out the evil ways in me and replace them with your love, grace and mercy.  Give me compassion and love for others that comes out of a grateful heart.  Create in me a clean heart that desires to please you.  Amen.

Seeking to serve with a humble and contrite heart,

Linda

How can I forget the title? LOL Meditating brings sweetness!

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meditating-on-gods-word
I was challenged by this truth to examine how much time I spend mediating on God’s Word.

Psalm 119:97-104 is a testimony by the psalmist about the benefits of meditating on God’s Word.  Here are the verses in the Amplified versions:

Oh, how I love Your law!                (His Word inspires love.)
It is my meditation all the day.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,      (Gives wisdom)
For Your words are always with me.
 
I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word],
For Your testimonies are my meditation.    (Gives understanding and deep insight)

I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts],
Because I have observed and kept Your precepts.        (Gives Wisdom beyond your years)

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,    (Keeps you on the right pathway)
That I may keep Your word.

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.                  (I am taught by God)

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!             (His Word brings sweetness to me)

From Your precepts I get understanding;     (I gain understanding about possible bad choices)
Therefore I hate every false way.

Had you ever considered these benefits?   God is promising us that meditating (pondering, reflecting, considering) on His Word will cause us to internalize His ways.  He will reshape our thinking so that we reflect His wisdom, understanding, more readily accept His guidance, know His will for our lives in choices we make, accept His teaching and find sustenance that is sweetness in our lives.  If you have never meditated on God’s Word, why not give it a try and see what God reveals to you.  Here are a few verses that you could start with:  Lamentations 3:21-23, James 4:7-8a, Deuteronomy 31:6,               2 Corinthians 5:17.  These are verses that will shape your thinking, give you encouragement and guidance.  Let me know the benefits you receive from mediating on God’s Word.

His Word is life changing,

Linda