'wisdom' Tagged Posts (Page 3)
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…
Daily Devotions: May 12, 2019
May 12, 2019 For full passage click: John 10:27-30 …“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” vss. 27-28 There is an unparalleled regard for mothers in our culture. It’s not that every mother is perfect, some are far from that. But in general, we appreciate our moms and will go out of our way to honor…
Daily Devotions: March 25, 2019
March 25, 2019 For full passage click: Joshua 5:9-12 …“The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.” vs. 12 According to one of their ancient narratives, God had sustained the Israelites with a special bread from heaven through their years in the wilderness. But when they crossed the Jordan River and entered the land of Canaan, that…
Daily Devotions: February 6, 2019
February 6, 2019 To read full passage click: Psalm 138:1-4 …“On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.” vs. 3 Even though countless books have been written about prayer and its efficacy, we still wonder from time to time if it really makes any difference. Often we pray for God’s intervention and nothing seems to happen. Answers are unsatisfying and we question whether God has even heard. Presumably, the psalmist had similar experiences; but…
Daily Devotions: January 26, 2019
January 26, 2019 To read full passage click: Luke 4:14-17a …“Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.” vs. 14 When the Spirit connected with Jesus in a divine epiphany on the day of his baptism, it wasn’t just a momentary experience. This dove had come to hang around! The power of the Spirit remained and continued to give support during the time in the…
Daily Devotions: November 27, 2018
November 27, 2018 To read full passage click: Psalm 25:1-5 …“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.” vs 4 Most people want to do good! No matter where we go around the globe, no matter what religion people espouse, there is a general desire to do what is right. Even people with no faith at all want to lead decent lives. That’s just the way God has wired us. But it’s not that easy. As all…
Daily Devotions: September 20, 2018
September 20, 2018 James 3:13-18 …“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.” vs. 17 The early Christian community embraced this definition of divine wisdom and made it the cornerstone of their life together. It remains for us a perfect description of our highest aspirations as followers of Jesus. Some might consider its sentiments as an ideal, a way of life…
Daily Devotions: August 27, 2018
August 27, 2018 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6…“You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!’” vs. 6 Even in its best years Israel was not a particularly imposing country. It lacked size and resources and wasn’t in a position to rule or conquer. Through most of its history it was subject to the whim of…