by David Brenneman
Proverbs 8 begins to tell us of God's wisdom. Of seeking it out. We read in James 1:5-8 NASB "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that person ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
In everything from breathing to eating, from rest to work, the Bible has all that anyone needs concerning the wisdom of God to live a life of glorifying Jesus Christ.
The world's programs, products, business models, plethora of books on how to live, how to eat, how to rest and relax, how to get the most out of your life will only lead you away from the truth of God’s wisdom.
We often think we've mastered something in this world and in reality it's never that at all. We just possibly got good at something and possibly convinced ourselves we were the best at it.
We also often take what the world offers in our moments of weakness and its apparent effects make us believe that if it worked for us it will work for anyone.
Our enemy in this world is Satan. It's also our own sin nature. It may not entirely look like it but both are incredibly patient at waiting out things. He loves it when we cave in at a low point in our lives and aren't coherent enough to understand that we aren't on the path God intended for us.
I have lived through some interesting times. Many significant highs and lows.
Knowledge is only good if it's got a practical use. Wisdom has to work with knowledge for knowledge to be applied correctly. Godly wisdom in the life of Believers, coupled with knowledge of God has but one divine purpose-to make us more like Christ Jesus.
People fixated on programs and problems aren't thinking clearly. They literally miss the forest for the trees.
When Mary say at the feet of Jesus, she only wanted one thing, to hear from Jesus. Whatever He had to say she knew would be beneficial to life in Godliness.
When we read of taking up our own cross and following Jesus it means to be focused on the same. To seek what is beneficial towards life in Godliness.
Self-help books, self-help videos or DVD's, this program or that program are useless in light of eternity. We have what we need in Christ Jesus for a life in Godliness, from breathing to eating. Nobody needs to spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on programs or books to succeed at what God brings them to that He says needs addressed in their lives. Faith in products, books, programs will lead to failure. Faith in God leads to success. Read it for yourself in Proverbs 8-9.
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39.
Nowhere is it in the Bible are we taught that we ought to seek God AND this or that.
If any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God.
There's indeed a potential use for some books or videos etc. But in all things God must come first. Those things should never be your central focus. When they do they become your god.
When we consider HALT and Q-Tip.
Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
Quit thinking it's about me.
God provides what we need in His Word to live a life in Godliness, a life in Christ Jesus. We are His workmanship. Meaning keep your fingers out of it. We often think we know where God is going in our lives and run ahead of God. Psalm 23 says He leads.
We also often find ourselves in that valley of the shadow of death and make decisions based on what we see and not on what God wants to do in us through that. We get hurt at a low point and life is unpleasant. We take whatever anyone has to offer to make it stop rather that staying the course with Jesus. This is our trusting in our wisdom and not God's.
Pray for God's wisdom to lead to knowledge of God. To become more like Christ. To live with purpose for His purpose in you being alive in this here this now of human history.
The Prodigal Son's journey began with him thinking his wisdom and knowledge of life was better than what His Father was trying to teach him. It ended with him returning to his Father to learn what his Father would teach him.
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