Getting Wisdom

Solomon was considered to be the wisest person in the world.  He was the son of King David who began his ministry as a little shepherd boy out in the fields before being promoted by Almighty and All-powerful God (See 1 Samuel 16 and 17).

David's son, Solomon, later became King of Israel.  Solomon also wrote books in the Bible including the book of Proverbs.  He wrote much about getting wisdom, knowledge, and understanding throughout this particular book in the Bible.  He actually began this specific book by introducing himself.  Then, he goes into a breakdown of the beginning of knowledge.  

Solomon encourages people to know wisdom and instruction as well as perceiving words of understanding.  He says, "A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel...(Proverbs 1:5, NKJV)."  This specific wise man later tells us that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7, NKJV)."

There are some people within the body of Jesus Christ nowadays that do not know and understand the biblical principle of getting knowledge.  Every person must first get knowledge before they get understanding and wisdom.  However, it is not necessarily just any kind of knowledge.  We all must obtain the right kind of knowledge.  More specifically, we all need biblical knowledge.

When we all first get biblical knowledge, then we will all have much more understanding and wisdom in life.  The only kind of true understanding and wisdom that we need is the kind which comes from our heavenly Father.

"For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;
He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints (Proverbs 2:6-8, NKJV)."

How do we all go about obtaining wisdom?  What's the best way to get all of that kind of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding?

In the book of James, the writer who is the half brother of Jesus Himself shares his thoughts on getting wisdom.  "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 (James 1:5, NKJV)."

James later continues, " But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8, NKJV)."

Therefore, we all need to ask in faith for wisdom from God.  We also cannot doubt that He has heard and answered our request.  Otherwise, we will not receive what we have asked for from Him.

Solomon speaks about the beginning of wisdom.  He says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you (Proverbs 9:10-11, NKJV)."

Unfortunately, there is not much reverential fear of the Lord God these days in this world.  Part of that lack of fear is rooted in the lack of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding though.  When a person does not really know someone, they cannot truly revere that particular person.

As King Solomon states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...(Proverbs 9:10, NKJV)."  However, before people actually revere Almighty God, they must first seek Him.  How do people seek Him?  For one, they seek Him by spending time with Him.  One way to do that is by reading and studying His word---namely the Bible.  Only then will people obtain that specific wisdom which comes from Him.  Then, they will develop the reverential fear of the Lord.


Copyright 2016 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

Renewing Our Minds

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  (Romans 12:2, NIV) 

Renewing our minds is very important to the transformation process of all believers in Jesus Christ.  It helps us to not conform to the pattern (i.e. design, style, model, form) of this world but it also helps us to know God's good, pleasing and perfect will for us.  

'Renewing our minds' simply means restoring, recovering, or reviving our minds. 

The Apostle Paul spoke about the wise person with the Spirit who knows the mind of the Lord.

 "...But we have the mind of Christ."  (1 Corinthians 2:16, NIV)

He also talked about believers becoming the new creation in Christ. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"  (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV) 

It takes us continually renewing our minds to keep on becoming the new creation in Jesus Christ. 

How do we renew our minds? 

First, we purposefully read and study the Bible (God's word).  We schedule time on our daily calendar or set aside time amongst our daily activities. 

Perhaps, we also participate in other Biblically-based opportunities whether at home, church, or elsewhere.  It could be a small group Bible study.  Watch and listen to a strong, Biblical teaching on television.  Listen to a Biblical message on the radio.  Maybe, listen to the Bible on a CD. 

What are some other ways you can personally renew your mind? 


Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

By Faith...

Have you ever read and paid close attention to the faith chapter in the Bible?

Let's start in v3 of Hebrews 11. 

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." (Hebrews 11:3, NIV)

Now, let's look at v4.

"By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead."  (Hebrews 11:4, NIV)

Next, check out v5.

"By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God."  (Hebrews 11:5, NIV)

Let's skip down to v7.

"By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith."  (Hebrews 11:7, NIV)

Then, pick up with v8-10.

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."  (Hebrews 11:8-10, NIV)

Lastly, look at v11-12.

"And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.   And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."  (Hebrews 11:11-12, NIV)

Let's recap.  So far in this chapter---we understand that the universe was formed at God's command by faith; Abel brought God a better sacrifice and was commended for it by faith; Enoch was commended, didn't experience death, and was taken from this life by faith; Noah built an ark, saved his family, and condemned the world by faith; Abraham went to a strange land, lived in tents, and made his home in the promised land by faith; and Sarah was enabled to bear children past childbearing age by faith.

You can finish reading the rest of this chapter on your own---picking up in v17-31.

Did you notice...?  Everything in God's kingdom is accomplished 'by faith'.  What are you now doing by faith?

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."  (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

God's Way

You just listened to the song, My Way, originally made famous by the old crooner, Frank Sinatra.  In the above song, the artist sings about doing things his way and having regrets but still doing it his way.

The world would have you believe that it is best to do it our own way.  They would have you to think that you don't need anyone.  You don't need anyone's help.  You don't need anyone's advice or godly counsel.  You will be fine just doing it your way.

However, our Father God says differently in His word known as the Bible.  Our Father clearly says that when we do things His way we will have the abundant life.  We will have a rich and satisfying life.  (John 10:10b)  We will have blessings which overtake us.  (Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

God says, "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.  For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."  (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, NIV)

Our Father loves us.  He wants to help us.  He wants us to choose His way.  He encourages us to go His way. 

He tells us what we can expect if we do not go His way.  "But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,  I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess."  (Deuteronomy 30:17-18, NIV)

When we obey Him and go His way though, we can expect so much more from Him.  "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."  (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, NIV)

Whose way are you going today?  Are you going your own way?  Or...are you going God's way?  His way is the best.  However, He leaves the decision up to you.  If you want / need His help though, He is always willing and available.  Just go to Him!  Ask Him to help you to go His way!  You will be blessed abundantly.

Copyright 2013 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.