My Daily Pause

Tag: Wisdom

  • The Fruit of Wisdom

    The Fruit of Wisdom

    Paul tells us that the scriptures were given to us by inspired writers (literally, God-breathed into them.) It has everything we need to carry out the great commission. (2 Timothy 3:16) With the scriptures we can:

    • Teach others how to find salvation (Teach)
    • Challenge our fellow Christians to improve (Reprove)
    • Show ourselves and others where we see sin (Correct)
    • Make progress toward righteousness (Train)

    Solomon knew this too. In Proverbs 2 he lists the five fruits of Wisdom. Through listening and trying to understand (Proverbs 2:2) God’s words, these things begin to happen:

    • We find God (Proverbs 2:1-8)
    • We are rewarded with the love of knowledge (Proverbs 2:9-11)
    • We are delivered from evil (Proverbs 2:12-15)
    • We have safety from harlotry (Proverbs 2:16-19)
    • We will receive a special inheritance (Proverbs 2:20-22)

    The next step beyond a daily devotional reading, once it is a well rooted habit, is taking time to really try to understand what God has told us. A momentum begins to build and we become a reflection of his wisdom.

    Daily Bible reading for June 4

    Proverbs 2
    Deuteronomy 5
    Hosea 1:1-2:1
    2 Timothy 3:10-4:8

  • Wisdom Calls for God’s Followers

    Wisdom Calls for God’s Followers

    God has laid out his complete plan. He made sure it was sufficient to make us people of God. It equips us for good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). He then sent out his people to teach and prepare others so they can have salvation too.

    He pleads. He persuades. He promises. (Proverbs 1:20-33)

    We see Paul customarily going to Scripture to reason with those he taught (Acts 17:2-3). No opinion. No feelings. Just God’s word.

    Still, there are some that ignore parts of it. Some teach opinions based on their feelings. Some leave out parts that are “inconvenient.” Some justify their sins with flawed reasoning. These sinners are in the same danger as the five virgins – at some point the door will close on the ones who are not ready. (Matthew 25:10).

    For the complete parable of the ten virgins, read Matthew 25:1-13

    Daily Bible reading for May 3

    Proverbs 1:20-33
    Deuteronomy 4
    Jonah 4
    2 Timothy 3:1-9

  • Clean Living with Proverbs

    Clean Living with Proverbs

    I learned of an old technique for better living, better business and better relationships that I have been trying to develop into a habit. Begin a daily reading plan by selecting the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month.

    For the rest of the day, reflect on one or more of the principles in that day’s chapter. You might even try to take action based on something in that reading. Just as the Proverb writer says in Proverbs 1:2-7, these ageless bits of wisdom can be used to make one a more godly person. From long thoughtful passages to short pithy zingers, even the wise have something to gain from the inspired words of Solomon.

    Some things you will get from applying Proverbs to your life:

    • Wisdom
    • Instruction
    • Prudence
    • Beneficial Knowledge
    • Discretion
    • The ability to apply information
    • Sound Counsel
    • Understanding
    • The fear of God

    Truly the ultimate self-help book!

     Daily Bible reading for June 1

    Proverbs 1:1-7
    Deuteronomy 2
    Jonah 2
    2 Timothy 1:8-18

  • The Gospel Stands Alone

    The Gospel Stands Alone

    The current trend in the world is for educated people to look down at those who teach the gospel. However, Paul was a student in Tarsus, a widely respected university, and even spent time “at the feet” of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).

    In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, we see Paul snub the “excellency of speech or wisdom” in favor of the pure and simple Gospel. In fact even though he quotes a number of learned men in his letters (Aratus in Acts 17:28, Epimenides in Titus 1:12, Menander in 1 Corinthians 15:33), He considered that rubbish compared to the gospel.

    If we are to follow the Apostles example (Philippians 4:9), we cannot be discouraged by “educated” folks, but depend on the testimony of God. Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 1:1 insinuates that the gospel didn’t depend on the conformity to the philosophy of the Greeks nor on the eloquence of its preachers. It depends only on God and he confirmed it with miracles.

  • Book Review: Wisdom Meets Passion

    Book Review: Wisdom Meets Passion

    The job that gets you the gold watch and a pension after devoting your life to the company is becoming a rare bird. The time is now to develop a craft, a trade or a skill that will help you earn. As long as you are going there, why not make it something you love and maybe even add a little service to others?

    If you have followed Dan Miller at all with his 48 Days to the Work You Love, No More Dreaded Mondays or his blogs and podcasts then nothing in this book will surprise you. Dan and his son Jarad do inspire in their tag team approach to explaining the goal of working and living well. I have been following Dan for a few years and knew I would enjoy this book, but I was not ready for it to stir up a strong desire to look more seriously at some ideas I have had.

    The fundamental question Dan asks in all his work is “Why would you choose to do a job you hate, when there is plenty of work available that you can love?” Why indeed? Pick up this book and let it guide you to transition to work you love!

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

  • Proverbs 4:10-19 – Hold On To Wisdom

    Proverbs 4:10-19 – Hold On To Wisdom

     10 My child, listen and accept what I say.
    Then you will have a long life.
    11 I am guiding you in the way of wisdom,
    and I am leading you on the right path.
    12 Nothing will hold you back;
    you will not be overwhelmed.
    13 Always remember what you have been taught,
    and don’t let go of it.
    Keep all that you have learned;
    it is the most important thing in life.
    14 Don’t follow the ways of the wicked;
    don’t do what evil people do.
    15 Avoid their ways, and don’t follow them.
    Stay away from them and keep on going,
    16 because they cannot sleep until they do evil.
    They cannot rest until they harm someone.
    17 They feast on wickedness and cruelty
    as if they were eating bread and drinking wine.

    18 The way of the good person is like the light of dawn,
    growing brighter and brighter until full daylight.
    19 But the wicked walk around in the dark;
    they can’t even see what makes them stumble.     – Proverbs 4:10-19 NCV

    Chapter 4 begins with the father’s advice to Seek Wisdom and he continues on to advise his son to be diligent to retain it.

    Staying on the good and righteous way is contrasted with the pitfalls of being caught out on the dark paths. If you have ever been caught in the trap of one of the “major” sins you will have firsthand knowledge of the difficulty of repenting and putting it out of your life.

    In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus shows us the difficulty God’s word (the seed) has growing in those who are not receptive (rocky, shallow and thorny ground), but how bountiful it grows in those who are (good soil).

    The object then, is to tend to the good soil in our heart and soul by seeking wisdom through study and practice.