Tag Archives: Wisdom

What we need most

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love.
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.”

Or so go the lyrics of Dionne Warwick’s famous oldie.

Who would argue that we need more love in a world filled with hatred, greed, malice, and selfishness? Indeed, Jesus summed up the whole teaching of the bible in just two “love commands”: Love God fully and love others as he loved you.

On the one hand it seems simple enough. Be loving in what you do. But it’s not so easy in application is it? It took me decades to realize you can’t make someone love you in the way you want to be loved. Someone confided in me that they’ve spent decades learning how to love someone.

We need more than love. We need understanding of how to love. We need understanding to know how to love and respect each other and to live with each other in peace and in an understanding way. We need understanding on how to love our children. A child says to their parent, “If you love me you will give me what I want.” The parent responds, “BECAUSE I love you so much, the answer is No.” (Have you ever considered that God answers us with the same parental love?)

We need understanding to know God’s will and how to avoid being fooled and taken captive by smooth-talkers and vain philosophies. In the second chapter of Colossians, Paul writes to people he loves saying,

“I want you to know how much I am struggling for you… and for all who have not met me. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, SO THAT they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you through fine-sounding arguments.” (Colossians 2:1-4)

Understanding, wisdom, knowledge…the world offers it’s version of these. Have you ever wondered how much these versions of “truth” have influenced your thoughts and ambitions? Complete understanding is only revealed by God. Jesus, who bears the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3), bears his full authority and power and wisdom in the lives of those fully devoted to him. Want wisdom? Turn to him. We can seek understanding and power in legalistic rules and rituals but they aren’t found there. We can search the philosophies of great thinkers but their wisdom is limited at best and powerless to transform us to live as we were meant to be. Smooth-sounding arguments, political promises, and advertisements may tickle our ears, but only God reveals to us the treasures of his wisdom.

Imagine a world needing not just love, but the understanding of God’s will and purpose. Not a world with more rules of “do’s and don’ts” – they will never free us from our slavery to selfish and destructive indulgences. What we need is an understanding of God’s wisdom in our lives. And he offers it for free to anyone who will ask him, “Lord help me to understand more of who you are, your will, and your purpose. Let me see myself and others through your eyes. Grant me wisdom, strength, and faith to love you and live with others in an understanding way.”

I should love…WHO?!

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We love those who’ve been kind, who’ve stuck with us through tough times, and forgiven our past wrongs. We love those who agree with us, who support a common cause, those we admire.

Jesus says that if we truly love Him we will do what He says. We will love our neighbors as ourselves. We will ‘feed His sheep.’ Okay, got that, right? Wait a minute. He’s saying something else. Let’s listen:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbors and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:43-45

What?!! Loving my enemies and praying for those who persecute me is a condition of being a child of God? You gotta be kidding, right? Pray for ISIS followers who are killing Christians? We’d rather plea with God to destroy our enemies! And let’s not get started about praying for someone with a different political preference. We don’t even want to pray for people in our path who are just a bit disagreeable or unlovable.

But Jesus who turned the tables of the temple ‘thieves’ seeks to turn the tables of our own selfish ambitions too. He wants to deepen our love for Him – and for others. Loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us is one of the deepest expressions of love. The bible says we were enemies with God and yet He so loved us that He gave His Son Jesus so we could be saved. How can we say we love Jesus, and not do as he says…love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?

But HOW should we pray for our enemies?

Pray for their salvation, for saving faith so they will receive Christ and trust only in Him. (Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, John 14:6, Acts 4:12) Pray they will embrace true wisdom revealed by Almighty God. (Ephesians 1:17) Impossible? Consider one of the world’s most ardent persecutors of Christians, the man we know as the apostle Paul whose life was completely transformed by the power of God. Consider Daniel Shayestah, who was a faithful member of Iran’s ruthless Red Guard, but responded immediately to follow Jesus after being warned in a dream. God is still in the transformation business.

Pray for evil to be restrained. Pray that the God-offending ways of our enemies will be thwarted and frustrated at every turn in their path. Pray for the protection of believers and testimonies that boldly confront the lies of their persecutors and actually advance the gospel. (Philippians 1:12)

Pray for God’s will to be done. We know what vengeance we would unleash on our enemies, but God warns: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) Military action may be needed to curtail the wrath of destruction of our enemies. But our role is to pray for God’s divine will be done – to save or destroy, according to His purpose.

We who were once enemies with God need to obey Jesus and pray for those who still remain His enemies. Pray for their salvation, for protection from evil, and for God’s will be done. If they are converted, that’s God’s choice. If they refuse to repent of evil ways, they will receive their just punishment. As for you and me, let’s pray.

Who have you written off as hopeless and beyond salvation? Who is it, that the very thought of them creates a bitterness in your soul? Who have you marginalized through your apathy to their views and existence? These are the enemies Jesus called us to love. If you’re thinking this is beyond your ability, you are absolutely right. So let Jesus-in-you do the loving, on His terms, not yours. And watch how your world changes as your spirit cooperates with His.

One dollar – Day Eight

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One dollar – Day eight: (The last day?)
If you have made it this far, you might be thinking, “I see my one dollar – and even see people – differently, but what can I do to help? The need is so great, and I am only one person!”

There is no one answer to this question. We all have heard about food rotting on docks, supplies stolen by corrupt governments, and money squandered. If big organizations cannot end the poverty problem can one individual really change the world for one other person?

You CAN greatly impact another person’s life…for one dollar a day. What is impossible for us is more than possible for God in us.

You see, I’ve watched a $200 loan from Go Light Our World help desperate moms to generate income for their families. I’ve seen a $50 GLOW gift pay for the school tuition and supplies for a twelve-year-old girl who was otherwise destined to the streets. I’ve seen $25 buy medicine so a mom could keep working. I’ve seen $12 buy a child’s first pair of new leather shoes that fit. I’ve seen $50 buy hot nutritious meals for FORTY children.

Don’t worry, this isn’t a pitch for you to donate money to Go Light Our World. I’m not going to ask you for a dime. Maybe it is enough for now for you to keep that one dollar posted where you can think about it each day for another week, or more. I’m keeping mine in place. Talk with God about your one dollar. Likely, you will come up with more questions and ideas to discuss with Him. Write them down. Pray about them!

Maybe God will nudge you to join the GLOW team as a monthly supporter of one dollar a day. Or maybe He will move your heart to sponsor a child through Compassion International, or to buy a water filtration system through Samaritan’s Purse. Maybe He will convince you that it’s worth the effort to become a Big Brother or Big Sister. Who knows how God will move your heart when you ask Him to see other people through His eyes?!

Share your experience with others. Ask them to join you on a one dollar journey. Discuss it with your children and grandchildren. See how many ways you can discover to generate one dollar a day that could change someone’s life.

People living on one dollar a day are not just fighting for a better life. They are fighting for their life. Imagine what happens when we “live more simply so others may simply live” and how that could change the world for one other person.

You CAN impact another life with one dollar. But really, it’s not just about one dollar. It’s about your legacy. It’s about how important it is to you to actually change the world – one person at a time. Ask God for wisdom, courage, and strength of heart to see others as He sees them and to respond in His name.

Today is the last day of this adventure …

– or is it just the beginning?

ASK for discernment and wisdom

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Imagine reading an intriguing mystery, a complex novel, or a detailed how-to book. Now imagine having the author of that book right at your side so you could ask questions any time you wanted! That’s probably the best way I can imagine to read the bible. Before you read and as you read, ASK GOD to reveal what He desires you to know.

Ask God? The thought might conjure up a vision of young Oliver in the movie of the same name, cringing as he walked to the front of the workhouse meal room and asking, “Please sir, could I have more?” “More?!” Screamed the foreman who proceeded to belittle and threaten young Oliver who had been put up to the task by his cruel fellow inmates. It makes for an exciting movie scene, but it is not an accurate of our great God who loves to reveal Himself and his plan to us.
While teaching his followers how they should best live, Jesus said,”Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:7-12
As you read the bible, ask God your Father in heaven. He desires to give good gifts to those who ask him. Ask and it will be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. I’ve never known this to be more true than when God’s children ask, seek and knock to find and receive understanding and discerning wisdom. God’s Word is about the revelation of who he is and what His plan is for us.

Look toward 2015 as a year of adventure as you let God’s Word unfold before your eyes. Ask him to reveal himself. Seek after the treasures of understanding and wisdom he offers. Knock at the door of mystery and have it opened before you!

Every good and perfect gift

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Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

Do you like to receive gifts? According to Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, authors of The 5 Love Languages, receiving gifts is one of the ways some people best express and receive love.

What comes to mind when you think of “the best gifts ever?” For some the answer might be jewelry. For others technological gadgets, new tools. It has been said that “the best things in life are free.” If you agree you might think of a quiet walk in the park, watching a beautiful sunset, spending time with someone you love, or watching a child in a moment of discovery.

Certainly, forgiveness and life itself would be included in your list of ‘best’ gifts. But how do we achieve these? Your world view will lead you to one of two conclusions: “best gifts” either result from our own efforts and deeds or they come as a gift of love from God. Sometimes we receive these gifts and sometimes it seems we are oblivious to them.

There is a fable of a man who died and went to heaven. Upon arrival he was given a welcome tour where he was shown many great mansions and wonders. Coming to one building with no windows, he asked to go in but was encouraged and his guide to not pay any attention to it. The man insisted on seeing it and once inside he discovered a huge trove of beautifully wrapped presents. Looking closer he saw that each one had a tag with his name on it. Asking why they were here, the man was told, “These are the blessings you were freely given in life, but never received; they are gifts you never opened and so never enjoyed.”

God describes His very best gifts in the love letter He wrote to us, the Bible. When we receive and open these we discover forgiveness, eternal life, love, peace, joy, and hope. We receive undeserved grace and mercy, compassion. We are filled with strength, wisdom, and courage. When we enjoy His gifts we are embodied with goodness, faith, perseverance, contentment, and the character of the living God. We don’t earn these by our own doing. They are free gifts from a loving God who knows the true desires of our heart and longs to graciously give them to us.

It’s true. The best things in life are free: good and perfect gifts from our Heavenly Father – love, life, laughter, friendship, forgiveness, freedom, and so much more. Receive and open the gifts He freely offers you today and every day. Live thankfully and share them with others and discover yet another great gift, the joy of living.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

Wisdom – Courage – Strength

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Since I accepted the Lord at age 15 I have consistently asked God for three things in my life, based on Joshua 1:6-9. . .
Wisdom (implied)
Courage
Strength.

I’ve always known that if I had riches or talent without these things they would be worthless, and if I had these three I needn’t be concerned with anything else. Now, believe me, there was a LOT of turning to the right and left (v7) in my life! You have no way of knowing how much I turned from God or ignored Him. Even as a “devoted follower” it seems I could not consistently ‘stay awake’ while He prayed in the garden for me. But nonetheless, God has been faithful and ever patient and gracious to grant me my three requests.

On the day of admission to the hospital, my nurse walked into the consultation room wearing a necklace with three words inscribed:
Wisdom
Courage
Strength

I was stunned by this gentle reminder that God has been, is, and will always be faithful no matter what life or cancer throws my way. One day since my diagnosis of Leukemia and I am already on my way to getting treatment!