The Joy Of Wisdom

“I do not know where to begin or what to say,” he confessed with a face that was “covered” with confusion.

“Well, start any place, and we’ll see if we can unwind things. God promised that He would guide us when we asked for His directions,” I replied.

“Some people look at me and ask if I’ve just received a fatal diagnosis. Others want to know if my wife and children just abandoned me. Some want to know if I’m on my way to jail. It’s humiliating. Nothing’s really wrong - but people think my life is a disaster,” he continued.

Tom is like many others we meet every day. Forlorn looks, drooped shoulders, eyes looking for a light, ears listening for something that will change things. What is the solution to their problems?

God’s wisdom. Though it may not be easy to follow, it’s simple to understand. Though it creates difficult choices, it leads to a blest, happy and joyful life. Solomon, under God’s guidance, wrote, “Blessed,” or happy, “is the man who finds wisdom.”

But, what do we need to do to “get it?” We “get it” when we walk in a right relationship with God. Being “right” with God is an essential, basic ingredient in the life of the Christian. Our God is a righteous God, and we can expect no blessings, happiness, joy or peace until we make things “right” with Him!

And, we must thank Him for that! If we have a spike in our temperature, we know we have a health problem. When we lose the joy of His salvation, we have a heart problem; God is at work!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for loving us so much. You do everything You can to keep us close beside You. Thanks, again! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.

The Joy Of Wisdom

“I do not know where to begin or what to say,” he confessed with a face that was “covered” with confusion.

“Well, start any place, and we’ll see if we can unwind things. God promised that He would guide us when we asked for His directions,” I replied.

“Some people look at me and ask if I’ve just received a fatal diagnosis. Others want to know if my wife and children just abandoned me. Some want to know if I’m on my way to jail. It’s humiliating. Nothing’s really wrong - but people think my life is a disaster,” he continued.

Tom is like many others we meet every day. Forlorn looks, drooped shoulders, eyes looking for a light, ears listening for something that will change things. What is the solution to their problems?

God’s wisdom. Though it may not be easy to follow, it’s simple to understand. Though it creates difficult choices, it leads to a blest, happy and joyful life. Solomon, under God’s guidance, wrote, “Blessed,” or happy, “is the man who finds wisdom.”

But, what do we need to do to “get it?” We “get it” when we walk in a right relationship with God. Being “right” with God is an essential, basic ingredient in the life of the Christian. Our God is a righteous God, and we can expect no blessings, happiness, joy or peace until we make things “right” with Him!

And, we must thank Him for that! If we have a spike in our temperature, we know we have a health problem. When we lose the joy of His salvation, we have a heart problem; God is at work!

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for loving us so much. You do everything You can to keep us close beside You. Thanks, again! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.

"Uh, Oh, Here Comes My Dad!"

It was a beautiful fall evening in Lorain, Ohio. My friends and I were sitting on the steps of The Garfield Elementary School when I looked up the street and saw the outline of a man against the setting sun. There was no doubt it was my Dad. He had a very distinct limp that set him apart from others.

So, when I saw the limp, I went limp. With great fear, I uttered, “Uh, Oh. Here comes my Dad.” Not that I expected him to join the “group” and enjoy the evening with us. I feared his arrival because I was disobedient.

“Be home before dark or else.” He never finished the “or else.” The “else” was always consistent with what I had done or not done. And, it was always something that would serve my best interests. The one “punishment” I most remember was having to read or practice the piano before going to be with my friends after school. On occasion, it took several hours of practice. And, on occasion, there was the “rod.”

But he was never unfair. Never inconsiderate. Never a disciplinarian without reason for his “chastisement.” What he did was done for my sake: to protect me from harming myself or others. How “Heavenly” Father like! His goal? My best!

So, it is with God. Whenever we put our wants ahead of His needs, hopefully, He will intervene and place us on the correct path. As His children, we can expect Him to use various means to correct us: perhaps a financial loss because of greed and lack of giving, or even suffering to draw us back to His side to make us plead for His mercy and grace and healing.

Prayer: Give us a willing spirit, Father, to accept Your discipline when we walk in paths that would harm us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. 

"Uh, Oh, Here Comes My Dad!"

It was a beautiful fall evening in Lorain, Ohio. My friends and I were sitting on the steps of The Garfield Elementary School when I looked up the street and saw the outline of a man against the setting sun. There was no doubt it was my Dad. He had a very distinct limp that set him apart from others.

So, when I saw the limp, I went limp. With great fear, I uttered, “Uh, Oh. Here comes my Dad.” Not that I expected him to join the “group” and enjoy the evening with us. I feared his arrival because I was disobedient.

“Be home before dark or else.” He never finished the “or else.” The “else” was always consistent with what I had done or not done. And, it was always something that would serve my best interests. The one “punishment” I most remember was having to read or practice the piano before going to be with my friends after school. On occasion, it took several hours of practice. And, on occasion, there was the “rod.”

But he was never unfair. Never inconsiderate. Never a disciplinarian without reason for his “chastisement.” What he did was done for my sake: to protect me from harming myself or others. How “Heavenly” Father like! His goal? My best!

So, it is with God. Whenever we put our wants ahead of His needs, hopefully, He will intervene and place us on the correct path. As His children, we can expect Him to use various means to correct us: perhaps a financial loss because of greed and lack of giving, or even suffering to draw us back to His side to make us plead for His mercy and grace and healing.

Prayer: Give us a willing spirit, Father, to accept Your discipline when we walk in paths that would harm us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. 

A Clear Distinction

Many things in our lives need clarification if we want to be sure that others understand our positions or ideas. Some of them are easy to clarify, others a little more difficult. The Bible, however, is very clear on everything God wants us to do and know. There is one thing we should all agree on: it’s not the things in the Bible that present a problem that might keep us awake at night. It’s the things in the Bible that we understand and don’t apply to our lives each day.

Solomon, once again, reminds us that we are not for one moment to think that we are self-sufficient: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” Once again we are reminded that first things must always be first: “Fear the Lord, for that is where wisdom begins.” Wisdom does not come from within - no matter how well educated we are.

Paul picked up this theme in Romans: “...test and approve what God's will is....” The one who thinks he is wise, who leans on his personal understanding and the understanding that comes from the world’s wisdom, is in danger. On the other hand, God honors and rewards those who are willing to admit they need His wisdom, and then follow it!

And the reward for those who seek and follow His wisdom? It will “bring health to our bodies and nourishment to our bones.” Following God’s wisdom will enable us to make good, ethical, profitable, wise, and sound decisions. Those who obey His laws and turn from evil will find themselves living a healthy, happy, wholesome, and fulfilling lifestyle!

Scripture constantly reminds us of the consequences of sin and unconfessed sin. And whatever it asks us to do is always in our best interests. Live right and find health and happiness.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for making life’s choices clear and simple to follow. With Your help we can succeed. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.