'wisdom' Tagged Posts (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” vs. 15-16 Ephesians 5:15-17 We regularly see and hear television and radio pundits talking about our dangerous times and implying that profound evil is at hand. Paul had the same perspective about the city of Ephesus over 2000 years ago. He advised that followers of Jesus should live with care, not as unwise people but as…
Daily Devotions
“You that are simple, turn in here!’ To those without sense she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.’” vss. 4-5 Proverbs 9:1-6 A large section of the book of Proverbs is devoted to pointing out the differences between wisdom and folly. Here Wisdom (always portrayed as a woman) is throwing a party and she sends out a special invitation to those who are simple and without sense. It’s not that she seeks…
Daily Devotions
Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” vss. 8-9 Hebrews 5:5-10 For pious Jews who became followers of Jesus after his resurrection it was natural to connect him with cherished temple practices, and many began to think of him in high priestly terms. The writer of Hebrews picks up on those themes and shows how it was that…
Daily Devotions
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” vs. 10 Psalm 111 Over the last decades there has been a steady movement away from religion in our country. Denominations report large membership losses, and while independent churches have picked up many of those folks, reputable polling groups report that in general the number of unaffiliated people is increasing. Many of us can see those trends…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 25:1-7 “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.” vss. 2-4 At the beginning of his ministry Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount with a story about a wise man who built his house on a rock, and a foolish man who built his house on sand. The winds blew and the floods rose; one…
Daily Devotions: July 20, 2020
July 20, 2020 1 Kings 3:1-12 … “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” vs. 9 Solomon’s biographer described him as the wealthiest king on earth. His armies were undefeated, his building projects unmatched, and he spared no expense in providing for himself and his wives. Even the Queen of Sheba came to see him and he lavished her with gifts.…
Daily Devotions: January 3, 2020
January 3, 2020 For full passage click: Ephesians 1:8b-14 … “With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” vss. 8b-10 According to Scripture, all things in the universe have their beginning and their ending in Christ, the one and…
Daily Devotions: November 18, 2019
November 18, 2019 For full passage click: Jeremiah 23:1-6 …”Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” vs. 1 Judah was in a tough spot and Jeremiah was convinced that it was the fault of the kings. Speaking for the Lord, in a biting and forceful sermon, he blames Judah’s shepherds, i.e. kings, for destroying and scattering the people, and he looks forward to a day when a new righteous king will establish…
Daily Devotions: November 1, 2019
November 1, 2019 For full passage click: Ephesians 1:15-23 … “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you” vss.17-18 When Paul was called to faith by the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he had no idea what God was up…
Daily Devotions: October 9, 2019
October 9, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 111:6-10 … “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” vs. 10 Wisdom has been prized through all generations and many continue to pursue it. Some confuse it with knowledge and believe that if they go to school, study, and graduate with honors they’ll have it. For them, it’s connected to having all the answers. The Psalmist…
Daily Devotions: July 4, 2019
July 4, 2019 – Independence Day For full passage click: Galatians 6:7-10 …“If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” vs. 8 Most world religions subscribe to a principle similar to that laid out by Paul in his letter to the Galatians. Human beings reap whatever they sow! Whether as nations or as individuals, there are always consequences for…
Daily Devotions: June 10, 2019
June 10, 2019 For full passage click: Proverbs 8:1-4 …“Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;” vss. 1-2 It’s possible to accumulate massive amounts of knowledge in the course of a lifetime and yet run a huge deficit when it comes to wisdom. Many of us have acquaintances who are a perfect match for that description. They can have multiple degrees but not…