Monday, May 13 – “When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:46) For what are you willing to sell everything, in order to possess? For generations we’ve told stories of people going down to the crossroads, to make a deal with Legba. Deals to be rich and famous, in exchange for their souls. In the Bible we read of a man who found a great treasure in a field. He buried the treasure and then sold everything in order to buy the land, so that he could have the treasure. So, again I’ll ask: For what are you willing to sell everything, in order to possess? Can I give you a suggestion? Consider wisdom.
Tuesday, May 14 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14) What is wisdom? It’s the ability to use the knowledge that you already possess. It has nothing to do with IQ or intelligence. It has everything to do with the application of the knowledge that you possess, in your everyday life. There are many uneducated, simple humans, who are extremely wise. On the other hand, there are many highly educated humans, who aren’t wise. Wisdom isn’t about the quantity of your knowledge. Its about actually using what you already know.
Wednesday, May 15 – “Buy the truth and do not sell it – wisdom, instruction and insight as well.” (Proverbs 23:23) Nothing in this life is free. There’s always a cost. Sometimes the cost is monetary. Sometimes the cost is time. Sometimes the cost is relational. Wisdom will always cost something in your life. But it’s worth it! And, as a follower of Jesus, the principal thing is wisdom. The ability to use that which you know, in your everyday life. For being a follower of Jesus isn’t simply something that you do. It’s who you are. And any decision, regarding who you are, will have some cost in your life.
Thursday, May 16 – “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion.” (Proverbs 3:21) Let’s take a moment and review who’s writing these words. King Solomon is the author. He was the son of Kind David and Bathsheba. Their second born son. Their first son died, because of David’s sin. For Bathsheba was someone else’s wife. And David murdered her husband, when he found out that she was pregnant. Thus, by the time that Solomon was born, his dad had a much different perspective on life. He had gained wisdom, because of what he had learned in his life. Wisdom that he passed on to Solomon. Wisdom that Solomon later disregarded and learned his very own lessons. Now, in his older years, here’s Solomon teaching all of us to not let wisdom and understanding out of our sight.
Friday, May 17 – “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16) So, how do I get wisdom? This is the question that we all ask. The answer is simple, it just ain’t easy: Put into practice that which you already know, in your everyday life. What do you already know? You already know what you don’t want other people to do to you – steal from you, hurt you, ignore you, lie to you, etc. Why don’t you just start there? When you get good at all that, you’ll learn more and then you’ll be able to put that knowledge into practice. Wash, rinse and repeat.
Saturday, May 18 – “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) This is wisdom. The apostle Paul learned the vital importance of Jesus. For Paul had once been Saul, the chief persecutor of all followers of Jesus. He was responsible for the death of Stephen, the first disciple who was killed for his faith in Jesus. Paul was wise, not because he was smart, which he was. He was wise because he was able to put into practice that which he knew. There’s a big difference between knowledge, knowing something and wisdom, putting that knowledge into practice in your daily life. Your goal is to be wise!
Tuesday, May 14 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.” (Proverbs 3:13-14) What is wisdom? It’s the ability to use the knowledge that you already possess. It has nothing to do with IQ or intelligence. It has everything to do with the application of the knowledge that you possess, in your everyday life. There are many uneducated, simple humans, who are extremely wise. On the other hand, there are many highly educated humans, who aren’t wise. Wisdom isn’t about the quantity of your knowledge. Its about actually using what you already know.
Wednesday, May 15 – “Buy the truth and do not sell it – wisdom, instruction and insight as well.” (Proverbs 23:23) Nothing in this life is free. There’s always a cost. Sometimes the cost is monetary. Sometimes the cost is time. Sometimes the cost is relational. Wisdom will always cost something in your life. But it’s worth it! And, as a follower of Jesus, the principal thing is wisdom. The ability to use that which you know, in your everyday life. For being a follower of Jesus isn’t simply something that you do. It’s who you are. And any decision, regarding who you are, will have some cost in your life.
Thursday, May 16 – “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion.” (Proverbs 3:21) Let’s take a moment and review who’s writing these words. King Solomon is the author. He was the son of Kind David and Bathsheba. Their second born son. Their first son died, because of David’s sin. For Bathsheba was someone else’s wife. And David murdered her husband, when he found out that she was pregnant. Thus, by the time that Solomon was born, his dad had a much different perspective on life. He had gained wisdom, because of what he had learned in his life. Wisdom that he passed on to Solomon. Wisdom that Solomon later disregarded and learned his very own lessons. Now, in his older years, here’s Solomon teaching all of us to not let wisdom and understanding out of our sight.
Friday, May 17 – “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16) So, how do I get wisdom? This is the question that we all ask. The answer is simple, it just ain’t easy: Put into practice that which you already know, in your everyday life. What do you already know? You already know what you don’t want other people to do to you – steal from you, hurt you, ignore you, lie to you, etc. Why don’t you just start there? When you get good at all that, you’ll learn more and then you’ll be able to put that knowledge into practice. Wash, rinse and repeat.
Saturday, May 18 – “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) This is wisdom. The apostle Paul learned the vital importance of Jesus. For Paul had once been Saul, the chief persecutor of all followers of Jesus. He was responsible for the death of Stephen, the first disciple who was killed for his faith in Jesus. Paul was wise, not because he was smart, which he was. He was wise because he was able to put into practice that which he knew. There’s a big difference between knowledge, knowing something and wisdom, putting that knowledge into practice in your daily life. Your goal is to be wise!
You try to eat right. You drink plenty of water. you exercise. don't forget your spirit - feed it!
daily devotions
