Real Knowledge

Friends,There is a knowledge that we cannot live without. It is beyond memorization and the ability to accurately quote the Scriptures.

Proverbs 23:23 (NKJV)
Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

The Lord commands you and me to pursue His truth, and to value it highly. He desires us to have a deep knowledge and understanding of ... more than His words, but His character.

Be encouraged, Jose

 

Search for wisdom, find wisdom, and don't ignore it

Friends,

The Lord seeks to reveal Himself to us everyday. This is one of the amazing gifts of salvation, for the Almighty God of all creation has no obligation to teach a mere mortal about Himself. But it is His desire that we know Him. Of course, there are those for whom this gift is meaningless. There are those who mock the very Word of God. We see them, and some even celebrate them. It is remarkable is that those who mock God's word claim to be the most sophisticated of men, for they have sought education and rationality...

Proverbs 14:6 [NKJV]
A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands.

Christ promised us His spirit of wisdom and discernment. And that is why faith and belief come easily. That is why when life's circumstances challenge our faith and belief, we cry out and He answers. We do not mock the wisdom that the LORD has revealed to us, for we know that it is the truth. We accept it and the joy that it brings.

Be encouraged, Jose

Never stop learning

Friends,

We know that no man, but for Jesus, is perfect. We know that all of us make mistakes, falling short of the glorious and perfect standard set forth for us by a Wise and Omniscient God. These are the facts of the fall. But they are no excuse. We are commanded to learn and grow in the knowledge of the LORD.

Proverbs 1:5
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel [NKJV]

In our world, it seems that the arrogant and conceited are gaining power and authority. But in their arrogance, the intellectual elites have decided that they have all the answers. That they no longer need to humble themselves before the LORD.

We who obey, and who continually seek a deeper intimacy with Christ, will ultimately prevail. We rely on Almighty God for our victory. And when He returns, we who have been humble shall be exalted. And we will throw our crowns at His feet in joyful adoration!

Be encouraged, Jose

The privilege of understanding

Friends,

Many ask why.

Why are you not enraged?
Why are you so peaceful and content?
Why do you help them?
Why do you forgive those that have wronged you?

Proverbs 28:5
Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all. [NKJV]

Those of us who have been adopted into the King's family have been called to seek the LORD. Through that pursuit, we gain understanding and wisdom. Not the wisdom of this world or of this age. But the wisdom that begins with the holy, reverential fear of the LORD.

Therefore we understand justice and are equipped to truly practice it. We are given that precious gift of understanding. And we are privileged to use it.

Be encouraged, Jose

How to be a target

Friends,

The strategies of the enemy are fairly predictable. He attacks when we are tired and weak. He distracts with busy-ness. He whispers (and shouts) lie after lie. But most insidiously, he separates believers from one another.

Proverbs 18:1
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment. [NKJV]

It is the same tactic used by predators on the hunt for their meal. Separate one from the herd and it cannot defend itself.

The enemy separates us from our fellowship, so that we are less accountable.
The enemy separates us from the Word, so that we struggle to know our Master's voice.

It is why we are commanded not forsake the fellowship of believers. It is not a suggestion. It is not a helpful hint. It is declared forcefully in God's word.

If you are under attack by the world, the flesh or the devil ... then examine your life. Are you in fellowship? Are you in corporate prayer? Are you seeking out the company of believers?

Be encouraged, Jose

Gaining Wisdom

Friends,

There is a source of wisdom that drives away confusion and timidity. But are you too proud to go on record as seeking that source?

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [NKJV]

God is offering all wisdom ... without reservation or shame. He knows that we our wisdom is flawed and finite. He does not answer such a request begrudgingly or with impatience. He answers it joyfully! He so wants to share Himself with His children.

We need only to ask.

Be encouraged, Jose

Things worth keeping

Friends,

We sure have a lot of stuff. Just two generations ago, it was uncommon for an American family to have more than one car. now it seems that just opposite is now true. And it isn't surprising to find that people hang on to the stuff they no longer use for some reason or another.

But what should we be keeping? What should we be throwing away?

Keep my commands and live,
And my law as the apple of your eye.
Proverbs 7:2 [NKJV]

Our Lord, the source of all wisdom and knowledge, tells us to keep His commands. He desires that we have a passion and an affection for His laws and perfect truths.

Brothers and sisters, nothing else is worth keeping. For these are the only things that have lasting, enduring, even eternal value.

Be encouraged, Jose

A joyful investment

Friends,

Each day, we owe it to ourselves to be reminded of just what we have in Christ Jesus. We defeat the enemy, little by little, when we recall the abundant blessing that has been purchased on our behalf.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,
Ephesians 1:7-8 [NKV]

In Christ, we have redemption. He gained it by the power of His blood. And this is no small thing. He has made this grace to be abundant towards us, His people. Its value is beyond measure and imagination. Its power is eternal and enduring. And finally, the Lord did not do this thoughtlessly or carelessly. He did it according to the wisdom of His perfect will.

Brothers and sisters, have you considered this blessing today? Have you really taken the time and energy to understand what it truly means? To do so is an investment in joy.

Be encouraged, Jose

What to get

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD; 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.
Proverb 8:34-36 (NKJV)

The words of scripture are life, power to the weak, strength to the feeble, direction to the clueless, and breadth to the lifeless. Do you feel tired and worn out so often? Do you wallow in a space of confusion or at the mercy of world media? Then change what your listen to, watch and wait on. The above scripture says it all.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;11 For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.
Proverb 8:10-11 (NKJV)

Therefore seek, pursue, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi

Wisdom's Proof

Friends,

Do you remember the famous line from Forrest Gump ... "Stupid is as stupid does." Have you ever encountered folks who simply cannot restrain themselves from telling you how smart and enlightened they are? Let's face it. If your actions do not demonstrate your brilliance, then your boasting will only betray your ignorance.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. [NKJV]

Of course, many modern men confuse meekness with weakness, and they therefore miss the blessings that flow from steadfast obedience to God's instruction.

But you and I do not need to be counted among them. We can let our words be few and our actions be bold. We can demonstrate our courage and our wisdom and our cunning merely by obeying the incomparable and infinite wisdom of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

Bold holiness

Friends,

Surely, you did not wake up this morning and fix your mind to do evil. Most likely, your plan today was to accomplish something worthwhile. To knock a few things off the to-do list. To be productive and valuable.

But what was your position towards evil?
Perhaps you didn't give it much thought.
Perhaps you decided that wanting to do the right thing was enough.

But why not be BOLD!

Psalm 101:3-4
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not know wickedness. - [NKJV]

King David makes a stunning proclamation in these verses. You and I both know that he was far from perfect, as he surely knew as well. Yet, here he is. Boldly declaring that he will have nothing wicked in his presence!

This is a terrific example for you and for me. Why not make a strong and courageous statement? Why not stand up and stand out? Today, I say to you that I will set nothing wicked before my eyes. I say that I shall not know wickedness in my heart.

You can say the same!

Be encouraged, Jose

To greater wisdom

Friends,

Wisdom is a most precious thing. Only with real wisdom can a man truly understand and appreciate the peace of grace and repentance. Only the wisdom given from the Lord will open up the scriptures to reveal the true character of Christ.

Proverbs 9:9
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. [NKJV]

A man might have great worldly wisdom, but that will not give him the ability to discern Jesus' voice. When someone lacks real wisdom, then the teachings of Christ will have no lasting impact, except to make them all the more accountable for their disobedience.

However, when they possess true, godly wisdom, then when Christ reveals Himself, it leads to even greater understanding. The teachings of our Lord then have lasting, edifying impact. The scriptures yield insight upon insight into the heart of Almighty God.

Be encouraged, Jose

The gathering reason

Friends,

What is your purpose for joining together in fellowship? Is it because you can't wait to tell your friends of the latest events in your life? Is it because you are excited to give some gift ... and receive the praise and approval from your friends?

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
Do not be rash with your mouth,
And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.
For God is in heaven, and you on earth;
Therefore let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 [NKJV]

The house of God is where the LORD makes His dwelling place. It is not a physical building, but it is in the hearts and praise of His people. And so, when you gather with His people, the LORD admonishes you and me to be sober-minded and ready to hear from God ... to be prepared to be still and quiet before Him.

To listen rather than to speak. This is the way of the wise, and the true reason to come before God.

Be encouraged, Jose

The Commandments shall overcome

Friends,

We are blessed that the Body of Christ is bound by the love of our Lord Christ Jesus. The non-believers have a great emptiness where this blessing might reside. And even though were are surrounded by a multitude of brothers and sisters in the Lord, there are enemies lurking. And those enemies want to shame you and me, make us feel foolish for following a God who would humble Himself to live among us and endure a death on a cross.

But we are wiser than those enemies ...

Psalm 119:98
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me. [NKJV]

Our enemies are always with us. They live in our neighborhoods. Their children sit beside our children at school. Our Lord makes the rain to fall upon them just as He provides it for you and me.

But we have something more.

We have His word. And His spirit abides in us to reveal His mysteries to us. And in that privilege is held more wisdom than all of the scholars, and all of the doubters, and all of the cynics, and all of the well-intentioned.

Seek His wisdom in His word.

Be encouraged, Jose

Wisdom for good success

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 (NKJV)

When things go your way and success surrounds your undertaking, rejoice for it delights the Lord that you succeed in your doings. While you bask in the fruit of your labor, be cautious of the numerous attractions of success. Not all praise singers or even toys we have the resources to acquire with the fruits of labor is beneficial or are in line with our interest. We must sift the chaff from the wheat. When your running-over blessings manifest and God's glory exposes you, the hangers-on will come, the praise singers will triple, the stomach-driven folks will create a new friendship or followership in you.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Ecclesiastes 7:11 (NKJV)

Wisdom gives life to them that have it. We can manage all the seasons of life with wisdom from above. Do you have it? Ask the one who gives wisdom and understanding.

Be encouraged,

Afolabi