Tag Archives: wisdom

January 24
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“For those who find me find life, and receive favor from the Lord.”  (Proverbs 8: 35, NIV)

These words from the book of Proverbs are inscribed on the museum building of the University of Kansas (my alma mater).

I don’t know why Wisdom’s promise is posted on the museum and not, instead, on one of the other prominent buildings on the campus.  Yet, a museum is appropriate in that it is a repository of the tangible history of a people, or of an era.

Is Wisdom evident in our tangible history: The bank account, the appointment calendar, the contact list?  Have you and I chosen wisely the investments we’ve made of our treasure, our time, and in our relationships.

The litmus test in these things is whether our choices would find favor in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  – Luther

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December 26
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“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”  (Luke 2:52, NASB)

Bethlehem, the manger, the heavenly host, the visit of the wise men, and all of the other wondrous features of our Lord’s arrival were a great beginning; but it didn’t end there.  The baby Jesus became the boy Jesus, who became the adolescent Jesus, who became the fully-grown man.

In our lives, there are many wondrous beginnings: The birth of a child; a wedding; a new lease on life after a serious illness; a new day.  It is only the first step.  Advancing through each step that follows is as expected as night following day.

We grow in stature because we take nourishment over time.  We grow in wisdom by the same principle, but instead of food, it is obedience to the word of God that increases wisdom and divine favor.  – Luther

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November 30
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“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”  (James 3:17, New Living Translation)

In today’s scripture selection, James contrasts earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom.

Earthly wisdom’s perspective is 70 or 80 years — enough only to cover our time on this earth.  If you think you can outrun to the grave the scales of human justice, what is to prevent you from being contentious, rude, and unyielding in your dealings with others?

On the other hand, heavenly wisdom has an eternal perspective.  It recognizes the reality of spiritual things, and of God’s reckoning.

Resist earth’s Siren call to its ways and to its wisdom.  Other people may scoff at your “naivete,” but only for the short span of their lives.  The approval of God is forever!  – Luther

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