Wisdom In All Things

It is well with my soul: can you say that?

No doubt you are familiar with the hymn. Sung the world over, it has ministered to millions. And probably why it resonates so deeply, is that for Horatio Spafford, the author, these lyrics are autobiographical.

Despite the years of tragedy he and his wife had endured, these lyrics are a testament to his faith and trust in God. It is this idea that even in the midst of great loss and sorrow, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God is sovereign and that He cares deeply for His children.

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A Mind Ready for Action

Once we get our thoughts right about God, ourselves, and our circumstances, that right thinking leads to right living.

This was something that Peter, in 1 Peter 1:13, was trying to stress by calling a group of Christ followers being persecuted for their faith to do three things: gird their minds, keep sober, and hope–completely–on the grace of God.

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Does risk-taking need to be risky?

Eleanor Roosevelt said that we should "do one thing every day that scares you."

Sure, I get it. The status quo is not very exciting, and, for different reasons, could possibly even be unhealthy. Life requires (some) risk. After all, "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

Here's something I think we can work with. Risk-taking is a willingness, to take a justifiable risk, given the preferred outcome. There is wisdom in that.   But isn't the point of pursuing wisdom to avoid risk?

Avoid risk? No. Take calculated risks? Yes.

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Be Free Stay Free

"We need to orient our lives on the clear statements of Scripture regarding God's will. And here is one: "For freedom Christ has set us free. (from Gal. 5:1)" Christ's will for you is that you enjoy freedom. Where you go to school, what job you do, where you live, etc., are not nearly so crucial as whether you stand fast in freedom." - John Piper

Most crucial, and foundational, is finding freedom in Christ. Piper points us to Galatians 5:1 and the fact that Christ has set us free unlike anyone or anything ever could.  We'll look at what it looks like to be truly free and stay that way.

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Are You Known by Your Love?

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

Are you loving enough, or in a way, that it is even noticeable? Or, at best, is it at a level and consistency that it is what people think of first when they think of you? Not just your friends and family, but total strangers?

That is what John 13:35 is essentially saying. We will be known–as a disciple of Jesus–by our love.

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Choosing Faith Over Fear

We can't become so 'wise' that we are able to avoid all the scary parts of life. Wisdom is the means by which we navigate what God decides to allow--and intends to use--in our lives for our good and His glory.

That includes fear.

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Keeping Your Mind on Things Above

Heaven is not just a destination, but a mindset. Of Colossians 3:2 (“set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth”), J. B. Lightfoot, English theologian and Bishop of Durham (1800’s), states that we “must not only seek heaven; [we] must also think heaven.”  As we set our minds on ‘things above’ we are able to put ‘things below’ into the right perspective.

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Becoming a Proverbs 31 Man

Becoming a "Proverbs 31 Man" is an intriguing perspective to have on this chapter in Proverbs. You, like me, may have been more familiar with Proverbs 31 largely referring to the characteristics of a godly woman. 

In order to be a “Proverbs 31 Man”, we must become a “Proverbs Man”, which is something we all are to be, married or not.

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Pressure, Pressing Down on You

"No pressure, no diamonds.” – Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher

Equal to the pressure we face is the strength and wisdom God provides to walk in conjunction with His purpose to yield the intended outcome. While it is unavoidable–and it shouldn’t be avoided entirely, given its potential benefits–we can ‘get a grip’ on how to maintain the ability to remain steadfast under pressure.

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Discernment: The Commitment to Choosing Well

It is God’s leading that makes 1 Thess. 5:21-22 (NASB) possible: “examine everything carefully, hold fast to what is good, abstain from every evil.” This “biblical sleuthing” is what John MacArthur points out as the “responsibility of every Christian… discernment is not optional for the believer–it is required.”

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