And what does it look like?  

Good behavior.  When wisdom from above has its way it results in good behavior. That’s the kind of wisdom I want! How sweet it is when God’s wisdom is experienced by all because one of His children live it out. 

Gentle.  Wisdom is not seeking to be seen as the one who is wise, but instead desires goodness for all its recipients

Reflection

Get by yourself and ask God to help you examine your intentions. 

Are you desiring true wisdom that is expressed as good to others?

Or are you seeking to be seen as wise?

Are you gentle in wisdom or Do you lord it over others?

Prayers

Father, humble our hearts and teach us Your wisdom.   Help us to soak it in to the depths of our souls, that it may be the fuel of our good deeds.   May the glory be Yours now and forever more, in Christ, Amen!

The war against pride that takes place in our minds is one of the greatest battles we will face.  For wisdom is not only comprised of knowledge and experience, but also requires humility.  No one is born wise.  We must humble ourselves to gain wisdom because it doesn’t come from within. For when we think we know, we are unable to receive anything new. 

Where does true wisdom come from?  The one who knows all things and holds all things together, God, Himself.  He was here before the world began and spoke all things into being. For who knows more than Him?

In addition to humility, we must ask in faith.  It is by that faith, that our eyes are open to truth, wisdom, and the secret of joy in this life. When we doubt, we are no longer moving in a direction of truth and wisdom, but instead are randomly shifting back and forth with no course or destination.  

How great is our God that He generously gives us wisdom when we ask in faith!!!

Reflection

Are you depending on God for wisdom or on yourself?

Are you doubting the LORD’s provision or trusting in faith without doubting. 

Confess if needed and pray that God would magnify your belief, squash your doubt and pride, and fill you with His wisdom!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are wisdom as much as You are love.  You are all knowing, everpresent, and all powerful. Even the wind and waves obey You. Would you please help our unbelief, get rid of any of our doubts and the pride that entangled us, and fill us with Your wisdom? We ask all this that we may glorify You in all we think, say, and do.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

We must choose carefully, who we allow access to shape our minds and hearts.  We are either progressing toward wisdom and maturity or foolishness and harm.  

For those of you with wise counsel, send a them a quick text or message of thanks today.  For those seemingly lacking in wise counsel. Seek out a solid Bible-believing and grace-filled church.  Get to know the elders and pastors and begin to walk surrounded with good counsel from God’s word. 

One of my favorite past times at night is walking outside and stargazing at the handiwork of our Creator. There seems to be an infinite arrangement of beauty. Over forty years, every time I look I see something new. 

Our Creator Himself is like this. He has depth beyond depth of knowledge and wisdom.  We couldn’t possibly explore it all even in all the time we have been given on the planet. Yet I desire to try. 

Have you ever stopped to consider the magnitude of God’s providence and the level of knowledge and details required.  It blows my mind to think of all of what God created, sustains, and reconciles to Himself!

Personal Reflection

Take some time today to think about as many experiences as possible that led you to faith as well as grown your faith. All the others lives intertwined with yours at just the right time to feed and nourish you. What a huge blessing!

Prayer Focus

Father, thank you for your majesty and infinite knowledge and wisdom.  For when we ask for wisdom you give it liberally and faithfully to no end.  Let us seek You with our whole hearts that we may walk in your wisdom, truth and Spirit in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

The Wisdom’s of God is certainly different from worldly wisdom.  Godly wisdom is, “…first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” (‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NASB‬‬). Godly wisdom has a gentle strength and confidence that cannot be broken nor matched by the world. 

Wisdom tells us that we need not lash out at others when things get tough. Instead wisdom leads us to a place of gentleness and trust that is unwavering.  I love the phrase full of mercy and good fruits. Who doesn’t want to be like that?

Personal Reflection

Examine yourself to see whether you are making decisions according to God’s wisdom or man’s wisdom.  If it be man’s wisdom you are operating under confess, repent, and get back to seeking God’s wisdom.  If you are operating in Godly wisdom, praise him for his great faithfulness and gift!

Prayer Focus

LORD in heaven, please help us to be real with ourselves to see the true source of our wisdom. Let our hearts praise only you and not men.  May your wisdom dwell with your Word in our hearts forever. In the Name of Jesus, Amen!  

@brianfriedl

#matchlesswisdom #gentlewisdom #truthtalk4life

We must open to a larger portion of scripture to understand these verses. Read James 1:1-8  This passage of scripture isn’t suggesting wisdom as just one more thing to add to the prayer list.  If we look closely at the context, we notice that these verses are sandwiched between encouragement and instruction for those enduring trials.  The overall theme is faith in the midst of those trials, the testing of that faith, asking for wisdom to endure, and the final result.

So what is wisdom? The word used in the text is sophia and it specifically refers to knowledge and deep understanding of divine things and the practical application of that knowledge. So taken in context, the wisdom asked for in the text is for knowing how to live and endure in the midst of great trials.  Wisdom could be described as understanding how to live God’s truth whether that be under trial or comfort.

Acquiring Godly wisdom is a process that requires faith. Even asking for wisdom, requires faith that God will hear us and that He will answer according to His lovingkindness.  During times of trial it can be even harder for us to see that God is developing our faith and increasing our wisdom. We know this is the case, however.  If we back up to verse 3, we see that the testing of our faith produces endurance .  Verse 4 goes on to say, “let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  Growing faith and wisdom is part of God’s plan for you.

What are you struggling with today? Could it be that God has allowed this struggle in your life so that you would cry out to Him asking for wisdom and that your faith in Him would  increase?  Not only do I believe that it is possible, I believe it is probable.  He wants you to KNOW, LIVE, and SPEAK the Truth….all by faith in Him.

My kids have been praying daily for over 3yrs for the release of Pastor Saeed. When I heard the news that he was freed I was overcome with joy for Saeed, Naghmeh, Jacob and Rebekka.  I was even more overjoyed knowing that thousands who persevered in faith praying(including my children), can now see that God is faithful. What did this struggle do to their faith?

May your faith be strengthened today as you ask in faith for wisdom to endure the trials that you are facing. Know that God is faithful and will answer in His timing and according to His will.  

Blessings to you in Christ…

#klstruth #truthtalk4life #godlywisdom