Supreme Wisdom

Our culture places a heavy emphasis on obtaining knowledge; many say that obtaining knowledge is power and the key to success. I would disagree, to some extent. Instead of knowledge alone, seek the wisdom to apply that knowledge. In Proverbs 4:6-7, the Bible declares that we should "not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." Knowledge alone is indeed powerful, but wisdom allows you to apply that knowledge and get an understanding of what to do with that knowledge.

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy

The Body of Christ is one of the most diverse families in the world. We have so many different denominations and doctrines that at times, worshipping and fellow shipping can present social challenges. In Romans 14: 17-18, Paul urges his reader to put aside petty differences that cause division and act in love by the power of the Holy Spirit. He says "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." When we focus on the basics of Christianity, the basic beliefs that bind us together, instead of our differences, then we will achieve the unity and strength that pleases God and received by man.

Perfect Peace

It's easy to get distracted when we have so many things that are going on around us. We want to pray, we want to read the word, sometimes we just want to rest in God's presence, but there are so many distractions around us that we often lose our focus. In Isaiah 26: 3, the prophet declares that God "will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him; because he trusts in Him." When we keep our minds focused on the Lord, He will give us perfect peace, complete peace. When you get distracted, frustrated, angry, etc., focus on the Lord for His perfect peace.

Overcoming the World

An old song used to say "If it ain't one thing, it's another." When one issue in our lives seems to be resolved, another issue seems to sprout into full bloom. In John 16:33, Jesus says to his disciples" I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Troubles and trials are just a part of living in this world, but as Jesus comforts his disciples, He also comforts us today; He has overcome the world, so we can overcome as well.

Get Busy

People often ask "what are my gifts," or "what is my calling?" These are both profound questions that are difficult for another person to answer. The simple answer is to just get busy and start working wherever you see fit. In 2 Thessalonians 3:11-13, Paul warns against idleness. He says "We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right." It's easy to be a "busybody," just looking busy without actually being productive, but it takes determination and sincere willingness to work with a purpose.

Just Wait

Our culture mandates that we move at lightning-fast speed and demand everything immediately. The media calls this the "microwave generation," because technology has sped up delivery and changed the way that we eat, study, research, even socialize. But speed does not always mean quality. In Isaiah 40:31, God himself declares"they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." An old saying adage says that "good things come to those who wait." What are you willing to wait on the Lord for the quality blessing that He has in store for you?

Promises, Promises

We hear a lot of promises from people that they are really not able to keep. Friends promise that they will never betray us and couples often promise to love one another forever. Only God has the ability to keep a promise that concerns eternity. In Joshua 1:5, God promises "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." God's promises still apply to us even today. As God was with Moses, He will be with us, as he promises to be with us always.

Weeping to Joy

The children of Israel had been in bondage for many years, and Jerusalem had been destroyed; they had much to weep about. When the wall of Jerusalem were rebuilt, the people were still weeping. In Nehemiah 8:10, the prophet declared the people"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." There is a time to weep and a time to rejoice. Even now, we must recognize when that time for weeping is over and rejoice in the joy of the Lord, our strength.

Living Sacrifice

Each day presents a struggle between our will and the will of God, as we have our own desires and our own will. In Romans 12: 1, Paul urges his readers "to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." We will never be able to walk in God's will until we lay down our own will. When we submit our will, our minds, our bodies to the will of God, He accepts this submission as worship.

Awesome God

When we consider just how good that God has been to all of us, our vocabulary is too limited to truly describe God's love for us; simply put, God is indeed awesome. In Psalms 68:5-6, David tells a little about the goodness of God. He declares that God is "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. " The Psalms are full of praise for God's goodness and His mercy towards his people. Consider your own Psalm today; how would you describe his great love towards you?

Spirit of Excellence

In our corporate lives, we often hear about continuous improvement, intentionally working towards the next level of performance in our position. It's only natural to strive for the next level of excellence in our positions, particularly when we consider the benefits of excellence, such as a higher salary, greater influence, or a better position. The same holds true in the spirit as well as in the natural. In Colossians 3: 23-24, the Bible declares "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Whatever we do, whether natural or spiritual, we must do it to the best of our ability, not to please man, but our excellence pleases God.

Extreme Makeover

Reality TV shows have essentially taken over network television. Any day or night, we can peek into people's lives in almost every situation. We see extreme transformations to the point that family members have to take a second look at their loved ones after their makeover. In Jeremiah 18: 3-5, the prophet recalls God's kind of makeover, "So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. "As entertaining as these show are, they don't show the final outcome of the transformation. Only God, the master potter, can truly make you over; He doesn't just change the outward appearance, but transforms you to a new vessel, shaping you as He sees fit.

My Friend

Most people have hierarchies of friends on differing levels: work friends, church friends, social friends, college friends, etc. We have differing levels of fellowship and confidence with those friends; we can share our deepest secrets with one friend, but only share a meal with another. In Proverbs 18:24, the Bible declares that "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." A true friend is more than just someone you share a meal with; they share your trials and your triumphs, victories and defeats. Christ is the best friend that we can ever have! He will never betray your confidence, He is with you in everything that you go through, and He will intercede on your behalf to change your circumstance, or give you the strength to cope.

Stand Still

It seems as though every day brings a new challenge, a new battle, or a continuation of the battle from yesterday in an ongoing war. Oftentimes, the battle that wears us down daily is not even ours to fight, but it belongs to God. In 2 Chronicles 2:17, the Bible declares "You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and , see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!" After the prophet declared this word to king Jehoshaphat, he and all the people began to worship. Instead of preparing for a natural battle, arm yourself in the spirit. Worship God and let Him fight your battles.

God's Approval

Oftentimes, the will of God is in direct opposition with the will of man. God never changes, but people are fickle; one day, the people cried out "Hosanna!" when Jesus entered the city, a few days later, they cried "Crucify Him!" In 1 Thessalonians 2: 4-6, Paul declares that "we are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else." When you seek to please God, you will often displease others. Doing God's will may not make you popular, but you will have peace in knowing that you have pleased God in your obedience.

What Kind of Fruit?

People recognize a tree by the fruit that it produces; you will never find orange blossoms on an apple tree. In Matthew 7: 17-20, Jesus says "likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. " What kind of fruit are you producing? How do people recognize you?

What Are You Wearing Today?

While preparing for work, school, or your other plans for the day and this week, what are you wearing? I ask that because we spend so much time preparing for our outward appearance that we forget to cover ourselves in the spirit. In Ephesians 6: 11-13, Paul declares that we should "put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." A soldier would never go into battle in street clothes, or no clothes at all. Consider the battle that you may face today, then prepare yourself spiritually with the whole armor of God.

Encourage Yourself and Others

There is great strength in fellowship with other believers; it's encouraging to know that you are not alone in whatever you are going through. In 1 Thessalonians 5: 11-13, the Bible encourages us to "comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do." Our church family is more than people we worship with; they are a source of comfort and strength. When so many people and circumstances in the world intend to tear us down, isn't it comforting to know that we can depend on one another to build us up? What was a time when other believers encouraged you and prayed you through your time of trouble?

For Christ's Sake

Some may think that their troubles will all be resolved once they accept Christ; for many, their major troubles began when they became serious about their relationship with Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4:-11, Paul declares "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." When we suffer trials and persecution, and keep Christ in mind and for His sake, the struggle is well worth the trouble as He gives us the strength to keep going.

Cost of Independence

Popular culture tells us that we can do whatever we like, either without consequence, or with the understanding that consequence is worth the reward. In John 15: 5-6, Jesus says “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." Unfortunately, there is such an emphasis on independence, working in our own will, that we sometimes forget that God's will is best; only He knows how our stories end. Independence may be empowering, from the world's perspective, but it is also uncertain, as we never fully understand the consequences of "doing our own thing."

Little Children

Children are our most precious objects of our affection; the Bible calls them our reward (Psalm 127:3). In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus blessed the children; he said"let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Jesus showed us how to love our children, and how we should come to him as little children: trusting, loving, and depending on God. Just as our children depend on us, we should depend on our Heavenly Father.

Cast All your Cares

To often, we carry the burdens of this life and they weigh us down. We are hardly able to praise God because of carrying these burdens of hurt, worry, fear, lack of faith, etc. In 1 Peter 5:7, Peter encourages us to "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." God wants to carry our burdens because he loves us, but He will not forcibly take them from us. Instead of worrying about the cares of this life, cast all of your cares, your anxieties, your fears upon God. Just as a fishing lure is cast into the lake, God wants us to cast all of our cares on him without reeling them back.