Understanding and wisdom

"Bestow upon me, O Lord my God, 

understanding to know thee,

diligence to seek thee, 

wisdom to find thee,
and a faithfulness that may finally embrace thee." - Thomas Aquinas

"For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding. “I, Wisdom, will make the hours of your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful.” Wisdom is its own reward, and if you scorn her, you hurt only yourself." - Proverbs 9

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When things don't work out as you hoped!

There are not many people who remember the name of the disciple who was chosen to replace Judas (see the scripture below to note his name). There are even fewer people who can recollect the name of the disciple who lost out on being chosen to replace Judas. 

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen 25 as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven. (Acts 1)

We hear very little about these two men after this incident, but what I want to focus on is the attitude of Joseph (Justus). It seems that he didn't take the decision too personally and he carried on serving the early Church. He was someone who had walked with Jesus, as much as the others, and had witnessed many miraculous things. Although he wasn't an official member of the 12, he didn't become bitter and sulk off into the wilderness.

How do we respond to set-backs and disappointments? Isn't it hard not to become bitter and cynical? When things don't work out as you hoped, how do you cope?

Jacob Tanner wrote: "One of the most important things for us to remember as Christians in our effort to avoid cynicism is that our understanding of the world is not dictated by the news but by the Scriptures."

Proverbs 14:6 - Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it; the open-minded find it right on their doorstep! (Eugene Peterson)

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Making plans

"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps" - Proverbs 16:9

I came across a lovely prayer, inviting God to guide our lives through honest prayer and submission.

"Lord, do you work in me so I may do your work in the world.
Help me to accept all results of prayer, including disappointments,
with trust and love for you.
Help me to live in your peace, in your Spirit. Amen."

“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle

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Two contrasting views on wisdom

The author of Proverbs tells us that: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). 

These words are replicated in Psalm 111:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding."

I fully agree with this sentiment - by having a healthy reverence (fear) for the Lord, we are showing a level of wisdom that is humble and healthy. 

However, I came across a quote from Theodore Isaac Rubin, who writes: "Kindness is more important that wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom."

What do you make of these thoughts? Is it more important to be kind, than wise? Is this even something to compare? What do you think?

Living in Grace

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Speak up for the rights of the destitute

 

As we remember Human Rights Day (in South Africa) on the 21st of March, it is good to remember a few important things: 

Proverbs 31:8 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Proverbs 31:9 - Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

“When we struggle for human rights, for freedom, for dignity, when we feel that it is a ministry of the church to concern itself for those who are hungry, for those who have no schools, for those who are deprived, we are not departing from God’s promise. He comes to free us from sin, and the church knows that sin’s consequences are all such injustices and abuses. The church knows it is saving the world when it undertakes to speak also of such things.” - Oscar A. Romero, The Violence Of Love

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What are you leaning on as you begin 2024?

The New Year is already a few days in and many of us are starting to grasp the reality of the challenges that lie ahead. As we grapple with the difficulties of life, I have been asking myself, what am I leaning on, as I face these inevitable hurdles? Or perhaps the question should be phased: Who are we leaning on? 

I pray that we would make the firm choice to lean on the mercy and grace of Jesus, as we begin each day. 

He is all that we need to face the year ahead.

Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

Song of Songs 8:5 - "Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?

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Why wait until tomorrow?

 

As November picks up pace and we suddenly start to realize that Christmas is next month, we can become a little flustered. Some of us are motivated to get done, as much as possible, while others of us may be tempted to procrastinate. 

This quote from Charles Spurgeon may give us all something to think about.

"Alas, tomorrow never comes! It is in no calendar except in the almanac of fools!" 

Jesus said, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." (Matthew 6:34 - The Message)

Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

The challenge for all of us is to not leave these things for tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come!

What do you think?

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Kindness

I am flabbergasted at how unkind the world seems to be becoming. Maybe it has always been this way, but our modern society has certainly picked up the baton and is carrying it on. Of course, social media and technology has played a huge part in giving unkind people greater opportunities to vent their rage at the world, but it really saddens me. 

Have you been on the receiving end of unkindness lately? It really hurts, doesn't? I pray that as we experience this pain, that we can remember our call to be kind to one another. May the Spirit of Christ fill our hearts and lives, so that we can truly love each other.  

Proverbs 3:3 - Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

2 Corinthians 6:6 - We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

Ephesians 1:7 - He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

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Trust in the Lord

The words in the following Proverb are so simple, yet so hard to live out. However, if we manage to truly honour these words, then I believe that we will begin to see God's hand at work in our lives.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Question: Has there ever been a time when you have felt that your 'way' was the best way forward, but it hasn't worked out according to your plan? How did the situation end up and did God show you which path to take in the end?

John 12:44 - Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.

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Single-Minded

Isaiah 38:3 - “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.”

Remaining Single-minded is hard in this day and age. There are so many distractions, opinions, noises and voices out there that keeping focused is certainly a tough ask. So, how do we do this? How do we remain single-minded on the things of God. How do we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus? 

I guess there are a myriad of opinions on this, but I have found that keeping a daily time with God is the most helpful in this regard. Another helpful habit is to check in with other believers, in regular worship, prayer and fellowship. 

Question: What is preventing you from keeping focused on Jesus at the moment? How can we change this, even if it is just one small change? 

Proverbs 4:25 - Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

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Lots of friends versus Real friends

"As we go through life, we start to understand that it's not important to have lots of friends, what truly matters is that we have real friends." - Unknown

Cultivating friendship is a long-term commitment. 

It is quick and easy to click "add friend" or "unfriend" on our social media platforms, but it is a beautiful joy to invest time and energy in fostering genuine friendships. These are the friendships that stand through the storms of life.

I am grateful for the real friends I have in my life. What about you? 

Proverbs 12:26 - "The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."

John 15:15 - I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

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A treasure of common sense

"For the Lord grants wisdom! 

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him." - Proverbs 2:6-8

As I begin the New Year, I often look for inspiration to motivate me in my faith. I find it hard to beat the words of wisdom contained in the chapters of Proverbs. Today's reading speaks very plainly about the wisdom that is given to us by the Lord. 

I hope and pray that I have enough common sense to trust in the Lord this year and to keep my eyes firming fixed on him.

What words of wisdom will you be turning too in 2023?

It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense. -Robert Green Ingersoll

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Old habits die hard

The phrase 'Old Habits Die Hard' is an expression that has remained in common use for many centuries. There is a lot of debate as to who initially coined the phrase, with some people giving Benjamin Franklin the honour, as he wrote the words in a published article in 1758. Others claim that it may have been in use as early as the fifteenth century, but there is no concrete proof of this.

Anyway, regardless of its origins, we all understand it's meaning: Any established habits are hard to break. 

It is interesting that if I asked us if this phrase was used in a positive or negative context, most of us would lean towards the negative. I certainly relate this expression to the bad habits that I have a tendency to keep repeating - these old habits are hard to shake off and change. 

However, what if we took the expression solely in a positive perspective? The good habits that we have created over time (that are now viewed as old or established) are equally hard to break. They will not easily die off, if we keep nurturing them.

As we start 2023, I feel it is good practise to reflect on all our habits - both healthy and destructive - and to ask God to help us with each of these. The healthy habits need to be maintained, but the destructive ones need courage to quit or to change. 

Proverbs 18:9 - "Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism." (The Message)

Questions:

1. What healthy habits do you need to feed and grow this year?
2. What destructive habits must you stop?
3. What new habits can you create, that will become 'old' and resilient habits for future years?

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Change ... slowly

 

"Change. But start slowly, because direction is more important than speed." - Paulo Coelho

Sometimes the changes we need to make must be taken quickly, or else we place our lives in jeopardy. For example, getting off a sinking ship - there is no time to debate whether changing vessel is a good idea or not :)

However, there are some changes we are called to make, that can begin slowly and then gather momentum. I think about the desire to practise Spiritual disciplines - it may seem unnatural or hard to spend 5 minutes in prayer, but the more we practise the discipline, the easier it becomes. Slowly, 5 minutes becomes 10, and soon, 20 and 30 minutes. The important issue is that change needs to be made and this is in the right direction. 

Thought: Are you being asked to make a change in your spiritual life? Can you start with a small change and then gather momentum?

Proverbs 8:10 - "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold."

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"Trust and start walking. We are not alone in the dark, our path will unfold as we move." - Paulo Coelho

Who is in charge?

I was getting rather stressed about today - how was I going to fit everything into the hours that I had? I felt flustered and a little out of control. My groans and prayers were on my lips as I went to sleep last night, and before I could even open my eyes this morning, I realised that God had undertaken to answer them. 

As I turned on my phone this morning, a message came through asking to postpone one of my appointments - and another message offered some help during the recording of my sermon - and one of my appointments went way better than I have thought, freeing up time for unexpected surprises and delays. While, all of this was happening, I was reminded of this ONE IMPORTANT fact:

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, by God directs our steps" - Proverbs 19:21

This left me with the humble reminder that I am not in charge - God is! Hopefully I am able to remember this lesson the next time I feel as if the edges of life are falling apart.

Can you relate to this at all?

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

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The dangerous dandelion

“Pride is the dandelion of the soul. Its root goes deep; only a little left behind sprouts again. Its seeds lodge in the tiniest encouraging cracks. And it flourishes in good soil: The danger of pride is that it feeds on goodness.” - David Rhodes.

What do you make of this quote? Is there some truth in the fact that Pride grows well in the soil of good soil - or at least soil that is encourages growth?

I know that for many people, moments of pride can come during times of great triumph and when one feels invincible. When are you most susceptible to feelings of pride? 

Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

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Struggling with discontentment?

There are so many of us struggling with discontentment at the moment. I joked with a friend the other day, suggesting that if I could manufacture a pill that could offer people 'contentment' I would be a very rich man. 

The reality is that there is no such quick fix solution. I am discovering that contentment is a life-long process in which we have to actively decide to become more content. It sounds a little strange, but the more we wrestle with our discontent, the closer we can move towards peaceful content. 

So, what robs us of deep contentment? What stumbling blocks trip us up on the journey towards becoming content?

Here are some helpful words from the Bible, which I pray will guide us towards this illusive gift.

Job 36:11 - If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Philippians 4:11 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Once you have learnt the secret of contentment please share it with others.

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Looking for answers

It is interesting that we often assume we are the only generation to be facing unique difficulties. When you read this next quote, note how these words could apply to us in 2022, yet they were written 350 years ago.

"The reason why the Christians in this day are at such a loss as to some things is that they are contented with what comes from man's mouth, without searching and kneeling before God to know of Him the truth of things." - John Bunyan

Of course, what comes out of "man's mouth" today is spread far and wide via the internet as well. The great challenge for each one of us is to kneel before God, especially when we are troubled about certain things.

1 Chronicles 16:11 - Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Proverbs 28:5 - Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

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Don't let them out of your sight

"My child, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;

they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." - Proverbs 3:21-24

What things of value do you try and keen within your sight? 

Is wisdom and understanding on that list?

I find it interesting that Proverbs teaches us that we will sleep soundly when we start by keeping wisdom and understanding close at hand. There is a lot of truth in this.

"A man only becomes wise when he begins to calculate the approximate depth of his ignorance." - Gian Carlo Manotti

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The donkey in the Lion's skin

Aesop, the ancient storyteller, told this remarkable fable: 

"Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion's skin. He tried it on, strutted around, and frightened many animals with his new appearance. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too. But the fox, hearing the donkey's voice, said, "If you want to terrify me, you'll have to disguise your bray." 

Aesop's moral: Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.

This fable still finds value in today's context. How many times do our politicians try to disguise themselves with titles, propaganda and staged photoshoots, but in the end, their words still give them away?

"Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." - Proverbs 18: 2

"The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives." - Proverbs 18:7

This challenge is not just for the politicians of this world, it is also for ourselves. We may think that by putting on airs of respectability we may win a few supporters, but it is our words that give prudence to our true characters. 

Living in Grace

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