Wisdom

06
Dec
2024
Where True Wisdom Begins – Proverbs 1:7

Where True Wisdom Begins – Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction

Proverbs 1:7

Understanding Godly Fear

When you hear “fear of the Lord,” what comes to mind?

It’s not about being scared of God.

Think of it more like having deep respect and awe for someone you greatly admire – like how you might feel in the presence of someone truly remarkable.

Foundation of Knowledge

Just like you need a solid foundation to build a house, you need the right foundation to build wisdom in your life.

This verse tells us where to start – with a humble recognition of who God is and who we are in relation to Him.

Why It Matters Today

In a world where everyone claims to be an expert, how do you know where to find real wisdom?

Hint: It’s NOT Google!

This verse provides the answer.

True knowledge starts with acknowledging God as the source of all wisdom.

The Choice We Face

Notice the contrast in this verse – between those who embrace wisdom and those who reject it.

It’s like having access to the world’s best teacher but choosing to skip class.

The choice is yours every day.

Your Next Step

Today, try approaching your decisions with this mindset:

“I deeply respect God’s wisdom; what would He have me do in this situation?”

Start with something small, and watch how this perspective changes your choices.

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Wisdom
07
Nov
2024
Finding Peace in God’s Perfect Wisdom

Finding Peace in God’s Perfect Wisdom

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.

Job 12:13

When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Have you ever faced a situation that left you completely puzzled?

Maybe you’re there right now – trying to understand why things are happening the way they are.

Job knew exactly how that felt, and his words offer us something powerful to hold onto.

The Context of Comfort

Remember, these words came from Job during his darkest moments. He had lost everything – family, wealth, health – yet in the middle of his pain, he recognized an important truth: God holds all wisdom and power.

Beyond Human Understanding

Think about this for a moment:

  • We struggle to understand tomorrow
  • We can’t predict next week’s challenges
  • We often misread situations
  • Our best plans sometimes fail

Yet God’s wisdom never falters.

Understanding True Wisdom

More Than Knowledge

When Job talks about God’s wisdom, he’s describing something deeper than:

  • Internet searches
  • Expert opinions
  • Personal experience
  • Human reasoning

He’s pointing to perfect understanding that sees:

  • The beginning and the end
  • Every possible outcome
  • All hidden factors
  • The bigger picture

Power With Purpose

Notice how Job pairs wisdom with power. This isn’t just about knowing what’s best – it’s about having the ability to make it happen. God doesn’t just:

  • See the solution
  • Know the way forward
  • Understand the problem
  • Have the perfect plan

He has the power to bring it all together.

Making It Personal

In Your Daily Life

What does this mean for you today? When you face decisions or difficulties, remember:

  1. You don’t need all the answers
  2. Perfect wisdom is available
  3. God’s power backs His plans
  4. Understanding will come in His time

Practical Application

Start viewing your challenges through this lens:

  • Instead of trying to figure everything out
  • Rather than relying solely on your wisdom
  • Beyond just gathering more information
  • Past your limited understanding

Turn to the source of true wisdom.

Finding Peace in His Wisdom

Releasing Control

There’s something freeing about admitting we don’t have all the answers. It allows us to:

  • Rest in God’s understanding
  • Trust His perfect timing
  • Accept His guidance
  • Find peace in uncertainty

Growing in Trust

Building trust in God’s wisdom happens when you:

  1. Acknowledge your limitations
  2. Seek His counsel first
  3. Wait for His guidance
  4. Accept His timing

Moving Forward

Your Daily Choice

Each day brings opportunities to either:

  • Rely on your own understanding
  • Trust in God’s perfect wisdom

The choice might seem obvious, but it’s not always easy.

Practical Steps

Here’s how you can start embracing God’s wisdom:

  1. Begin each day acknowledging His wisdom
  2. Pray before making decisions
  3. Search Scripture for guidance
  4. Wait patiently for His direction

The Promise of Peace

When you truly accept that wisdom and power belong to God, you’ll find:

  • Peace in uncertainty
  • Rest in confusion
  • Hope in difficulty
  • Strength in weakness

Your Journey Forward

Today, you might be facing situations that don’t make sense. Remember Job’s words – not just as a nice saying, but as a rock-solid truth to stand on.

God’s wisdom hasn’t failed, and His power hasn’t diminished.

Your Response

Take a moment right now to:

  • Release your need to understand everything
  • Trust that God sees the full picture
  • Rest in His perfect wisdom
  • Rely on His unlimited power

Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers.

You just need to know the One who does.

In your confusion, rest in His understanding. In your weakness, lean on His power. That’s where you’ll find the peace you’re looking for.

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Wisdom
30
Oct
2024
Wisdom’s Wake-Up Call: Time to Choose

Wisdom’s Wake-Up Call: Time to Choose

“How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?”

Proverbs 1:22

Urgent Question

Have you ever had a friend ask you, “How long are you going to keep doing this to yourself?”

That’s exactly what wisdom is asking here. It’s like a caring friend who sees you making choices that hurt you and wants better for your life.

Understanding the Three Groups

The Simple

These aren’t unintelligent people – they’re those who:

  • Float through life without direction
  • Make choices without thinking them through
  • Follow whatever seems easy at the moment

The Mockers

Think of these as the cynics who:

  • Laugh at good advice
  • Make fun of wise choices
  • Pride themselves on rejecting wisdom

The Fools

These actively push away knowledge by:

  • Refusing to learn from mistakes
  • Rejecting good counsel
  • Choosing ignorance over understanding

The Wake-Up Call

This verse isn’t meant to condemn – it’s meant to shake us awake.

It’s like an alarm clock saying, “Hey, it’s time to get up and make some changes!”

Signs You Might Need This Wake-Up Call

  • Repeating the same mistakes
  • Ignoring good advice
  • Taking the easy way out
  • Avoiding responsibility

The Path Forward

Moving from Simple to Wise

  1. Start questioning your choices
  2. Look for deeper understanding
  3. Think about long-term consequences
  4. Seek wisdom actively

Making Changes That Last

Practical Steps

  • Ask yourself tough questions
  • Listen to wise counsel
  • Learn from past mistakes
  • Make decisions with purpose

Today’s Prayer

Lord, show me where I’ve been simple-minded or foolish. Give me courage to face the truth and wisdom to make better choices. Help me value knowledge and understanding more than easy answers. Amen.

Your Challenge Today

Take an honest look at your life. Are there areas where you’ve been:

  • Taking the easy way out?
  • Laughing off serious matters?
  • Avoiding important knowledge?
  • Making choices without thinking?

Breaking Free

Remember, being simple-minded isn’t a permanent condition – it’s a choice you can change today. The first step is recognizing it.

Steps to Growth

  1. Acknowledge where you are
  2. Choose to change
  3. Seek wisdom actively
  4. Apply what you learn

The Good News

Wisdom is still calling! That means it’s not too late to:

  • Change your perspective
  • Make better choices
  • Grow in understanding
  • Build a wiser future

Remember, wisdom asks these questions not to shame you, but to help you grow. It’s like a teacher who knows you can do better and cares enough to challenge you.

Think about it: Every mistake you’ve made from simple-mindedness, every consequence you’ve faced from foolish choices – they can all become stepping stones to wisdom if you let them.

Isn’t it time to answer wisdom’s call? Today could be the day you stop drifting and start growing, stop mocking and start learning, stop avoiding knowledge and start embracing it.

Your future self will thank you for choosing wisdom today. After all, the best time to start making wise choices isn’t tomorrow – it’s right now.

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Wisdom
29
Oct
2024
Shield of Wisdom: Your Personal Guardian

Shield of Wisdom: Your Personal Guardian

“Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.”

Proverbs 4:6

A Personal Bodyguard

Imagine having a personal bodyguard who’s always with you, helping you make the right choices and keeping you safe from harm.

That’s what wisdom offers! But here’s the catch – you need to stick close to this guardian and value the protection it provides.

Two Key Actions

1. Don’t Forsake Wisdom

Think about this like keeping your phone charged.

You wouldn’t let your phone die when you know you’ll need it, right? The same goes for wisdom – keep it close and ready.

2. Love Wisdom

This isn’t just about tolerating good advice. It’s about actively embracing it, like you would cherish a precious gift from someone special.

The Promise of Protection

When you cherish wisdom, you get protection in two ways:

  • Active guidance for daily decisions
  • A shield against life’s hardest challenges

What Does This Look Like?

In Everyday Life

  • Making better choices about relationships
  • Handling money wisely
  • Knowing when to speak and when to be quiet
  • Recognizing dangerous situations before they develop

How to Cherish Wisdom

Think of wisdom like a valuable friendship. How do you maintain it?

  1. Spend time with it daily
  2. Listen when it speaks
  3. Follow its guidance
  4. Share it with others

The Watchful Guardian

When you love wisdom, it becomes like a faithful friend who:

  • Warns you of danger
  • Guides your steps
  • Protects your heart
  • Guards your future

Making it Work

Practical Steps

  • Start your day seeking wisdom through prayer
  • Read Proverbs regularly (31 Chapters – Read one Chapter a Day each Month)
  • Learn from others’ experiences
  • Apply what you learn immediately

Today’s Prayer

Lord, help me to cherish wisdom like a precious friend. Thank you for the protection it offers. Give me the desire to seek wisdom daily from Your Word, and the courage to follow its guidance. Amen.

Your Challenge Today

Think about a decision you need to make. Instead of rushing ahead:

  • Pause and pray
  • Seek godly counsel
  • Consider past lessons
  • Look for wisdom’s guidance

A Comforting Truth

You don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. When you make wisdom your close companion, you gain a protector that never sleeps and never fails.

The Partnership Principal

This verse shows us that wisdom works like a partnership:

  • Your part: Don’t forsake it; love it
  • Wisdom’s part: Protect you; watch over you

Remember, wisdom isn’t just a collection of good ideas – it’s your personal guardian in life’s journey. When you cherish wisdom, you’re investing in your own protection and future success.

The beauty of this relationship with wisdom is that it grows stronger over time. The more you cherish it, the more protection and guidance you receive. It’s a relationship that never disappoints and always pays dividends.

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Wisdom
27
Oct
2024
Life-Giving Power of Wise Teaching

Life-Giving Power of Wise Teaching

“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 13:14

Life-Giving Waters

Have you ever been really thirsty – I mean, really thirsty?

Maybe after a long run or working in the summer heat? Remember how refreshing that first drink of cool water felt?

That’s the picture Solomon paints here about wisdom’s teaching. It’s not just good advice – it’s as essential as water to a thirsty soul.

Understanding the Fountain

Think of wisdom like a natural spring that never runs dry.

Unlike a pond that can become stagnant, this fountain continuously provides fresh, life-giving guidance for every situation you face.

The Two-Part Promise

  1. A Source of Life
  • Fresh perspectives
  • Growing understanding
  • Renewed hope
  • Clear direction
  1. Protection from Danger
  • Warning signs
  • Clear boundaries
  • Safe paths
  • Wise choices

Real-Life Application

How This Works in Your Daily Life

Think about some common situations:

  • Making financial decisions
  • Choosing friends
  • Handling conflict
  • Setting priorities

Wisdom’s teaching helps you navigate each of these with clarity and purpose.

Finding the Fountain

You might be wondering, “Where do I find this wisdom?” Here are some practical sources:

  • Reading God’s Word
  • Learning from experienced believers
  • Listening to sound teaching
  • Applying what you learn

Avoiding the Snares

The verse mentions “snares of death” – these are the pitfalls that can trap us in harmful patterns.

Wisdom helps us spot and avoid these traps before we fall into them.

Common Snares to Watch For:

  • Hasty decisions
  • Harmful relationships
  • Poor financial choices
  • Destructive habits

Making it Work for You

Practical Steps to Tap into Wisdom:

  1. Start your day with God’s Word
  2. Find a wise mentor
  3. Listen more than you speak
  4. Learn from others’ experiences

Today’s Prayer

Lord, thank you for providing wisdom that brings life. Help me recognize and avoid life’s snares through your teaching. Make me thirsty for your wisdom and help me apply it daily. Amen.

Your Next Step

Think about one decision you’re facing right now.

Instead of rushing to conclusions, take time today to seek wisdom’s guidance through:

  • Prayer
  • Scripture
  • Wise counsel
  • Careful reflection

A Refreshing Truth

Just like you wouldn’t try to go days without water, don’t try to navigate life without wisdom’s teaching. It’s your source of refreshment, guidance, and protection in a world full of challenges.

Remember, this fountain never runs dry. Every time you come to drink from wisdom’s teaching, you’ll find exactly what you need for that moment.

Isn’t it amazing how God’s wisdom stays fresh and relevant for every situation you face?

Upside Down: 15 Week Bible Study

 You Have Been Seated with Christ in the Heavenly Realms

God’s great hope for us is not simply the forgiveness of sins and a place in heaven when we die; but rather, He wants us totally restored, in heart, mind and soul . . . NOW!

As we enter into this amazing adventure with God, we soon recognize that we are a part of something tremendous, something that is beyond our earthy perspective, and we are transported into the heavens with Christ; we live, breathe, and find our being in Him!

This Bible study will help you rediscover how it all began, what happened in the Garden of Eden, who is the Devil really, and what is he up to today.

  • Head into the heavenly realms and discover profound truths concerning your relationship with God, and His incredible plan for you.
  • Search your heart, preparing for a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In this study, you will enter into God’s armory, suiting up with the whole armor of God.
  • Discover the Keys to the Kingdom given to you, and learn what they unlock; discovering your true nature in Christ, the authority given, the Sword of the Spirit, the covering armor, and the mission ahead, you will truly learn to pray . . . Upside Down!

Get your copy Today – Pray Upside Down

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Wisdom