Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding

"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—indeed, 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; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:1-6 NIV)

I really like verse 6...the first part says God GIVES us wisdom. It is a gift from God! The Bible is full of passages, Proverbs especially, and it even instructs us on what to do if we don't have wisdom...if we lack wisdom, James 1:5 says,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV)"

we have to ask for it. The second part of verse 6 says that knowledge and understanding come from God's mouth. We know that Scripture is God's Word so in order to gain knowledge and understanding, we have to read/get into His Word.

The definition of WISDOM is "the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight."

So in order to be wise, one has to be knowledgeable and understanding. If God gives the gift of wisdom but we don't seek out knowledge and understanding we can't truly be wise. The verses above say to "look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure". How many of us can say we actually do that?

Here is another verse that encourages us to be in God's Word consistently..."Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. (Joshua 1:8 NLT)". This verse is very convicting to me. I struggle with staying in God's Word on a consistent basis. Hopefully this new found realization that by doing so I will gain better knowledge and understanding of who God is will be the motivation I need to increase my time with God in His Word!

Does anything in the verses above stick out to you?

Hebrews 6:10-12

> God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love
> you have shown him as you have helped his people and
> continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same
> diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
> We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who
> through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
>
> Hebrews 6:10-12

Ephesians 5:2-4

> And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave
> himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
> God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual
> immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because
> these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there
> be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out
> of place, but rather thanksgiving.
>
> Ephesians 5:2-4

Philippians 4:11-13

Below are some beautiful and challenging verses! What spiritual and mental toughness Paul had developed through his life! Lord help me be content!

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/111/php.4.11.niv

God Bless...

Jon Abercrombie

http://holybloggers.blogspot.com

Repost From Tony Morgan's Site

Interesting post on Tony Morgan's site today on living debt free. The article is geared more towards an entire church/congregation being set free, but I encourage you to consider how it applies to your lives individually. Check out the article via the link below...Hope everyone has a great day!

http://tonymorganlive.com/2010/07/13/what-would-happen-if-the-people-in-our-churches-were-debt-free/

Cool Quote

Interesting quote from the book, "The Meaning of Marriage" by Timothy Keller...

"Our emotions are not under our control, but our actions are."

Are you controlling your actions or are your emotions controlling your actions?

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)

Where is My Focus?

I read something in a devotional today that went something like this...

The Bible spends so much time teaching us to keep our eyes on Christ because God knows that our focus determines our direction.

It sparked something in me causing me to examine where my focus is in my own life and below are the thoughts that i found myself wrestling through today. i hope they encourage you to examine your own life and more importantly your own PERSONAL walk with God!

If  I'm focused on people, money, or things, my focus can't fully be on God. People, money, and things, can't save me. Only God can save me and bring me true joy and peace. Worldly things can only provide me with temporary satisfaction and pleasure. When the charm of those people and things wear off, I'm left looking for "what's next." What's going to make me happy now? A new car? A new friend? A higher paying job? Time and time again we see that those things only bring happiness for a temporary amount of time. They don't bring true, pure, and lasting joy or peace. We're stuck bored and wanting more. My focus goes from one thing to another, constantly changing the direction of my life...usually in a direction I don't want to be going in or don't need to be going in.

So what will provide me with that long-lasting, eternal joy and peace that I want so badly?

The answer is simple, but most of us struggle to understand it or realize the importance of it in our own lives. I'm learning that a personal, one-on-one relationship with God is the answer.  He is the only thing truly worthy of my time and He is the only person/thing that can provide me with eternal satisfaction, joy, love, and peace.

If the answer is as simple as us only needing one thing, which is God...Why do we struggle devoting ourselves and our lives to God knowing He is all we need?


God Bless...
Jon Abercrombie
http://holybloggers.blogspot.com

Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

Nahum 1:7

2 Chronicles 7:14

>
> If my people, who are called by my name, will humble
> themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their
> wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive
> their sin and will heal their land.
>
> 2 Chronicles 7:14

Seems like pretty good advice for our world today...how would things
change if this actually happened? If we all humbled ourselves before
Almighty God and asked for His forgiveness of our sins? What if we all
started living our lives exclusively for God?

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

This encouraged me today...hopefully it'll do the same for you!

    So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you
    don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is
    common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be
    tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
    he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up
    under it.

    1 Corinthians 10:12-13

James 1:26-27

   If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep
   a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his
   religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts
   as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and
   widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being
   polluted by the world.

   James 1:26-27

We have to work on controlling our selfish thoughts, motives, and desires. They cause so much unnecessary chaos and disorder in our lives! I feel like these verses hint at that concept. Our world teaches us to be all about ourselves and focus on getting whatever we can for ourselves, but that's not how God tells us to live. God tells us not to worry about "getting for ourselves" or worry about what each day will bring, but for us to look after "orphans and widows" and for us to "seek first the kingdom of GOD" (not our own kingdom) like we find in Matthew 6:33. These are just a few things that God asks of us throughout Scripture, but I think you can get the picture.

I feel like its becoming to common for us to see the "false religion" mentioned in the verses above. It seems to be all about appearance. People want to look good and religious around certain people at church on Sunday, but when they go home or interact with people during the week, you would never know God was a part of their lives. I'm guilty of this far more often than I'd like to admit and I pray for God to forgive me, and for Him to help me change. To keep a tighter reign on my tongue. To look after orphans, widows, the hurting and needy, and for me to not be polluted by the world I live in. I want to be more like my Savior, Jesus!