How tough is this? Arguments and wisdom

OK, I don't mean it to happen. I know you don't either. Who really likes to argue. OK, some people do but I think it is rare. So what is the root cause? Pride. Plan and simple.

What is the solution to being wise! Be willing to take advice.

"Are you being willfully stupid?" ~~Jesus

Jesus explains so many things to us. He challenges us to hear, really hear, what He is saying. He is blunt. He is straightforward. He really want us "to get it". He has given us the Holy Spirit to help.

May we listen and understand. It is important.

"Are you being willfully stupid?" ~~Jesus (Mark 7:18 The Message)

"The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty." ~~Oswald Chambers

We live in a world where the conventional wisdom is that we must have goals and will only be successful if we achieve them. Really?? Is that all there is to life.

Jesus demands we don't see it that way. He knows we only have today and that is devoted to doing what our heavenly Father wants us to. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

. . . it has not yet been revealed what we shall be . . . —1 John 3:2

via My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

Do I need wisdom?

There are times that I seem to know what I am doing. There are other times I don't. I need wisdom. When I need it, I can simply ask my heavenly Father. He loves to help me. AND, I can count on His help. I won't be condescended to when I ask for it. I need to ask boldly. I need to believe he will give it to me. I can't have any second thoughts.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Can I get out of my coffin?

 

I need to wake up from my sleep. I need to get up out of my coffin. Jesus is showing me the way. He is shining His light on me. I need to watch my step. I need to use my head. I need to think and not live carelessly. I need to understand what Jesus wants me to do.

May I understand what Jesus wants me to do. May I know it deep in my heart. May I not only know but also do it, demonstrating my obedience.

This is why it is said: Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. –Ephesians 5: 14-20

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. ~~King Solomon

We all need direction. Our vision is always limited. Having trusted advisors makes a difference.

Who am I listening to? Are they wise?

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances. ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:14)

"The Message that points to Messiah on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction." ~~Apostle Paul

The way God works seems silly to those who don't know Him. For many, "Why" is the big barrier to a true relationship with God. "Why did this happen?" "Why would God work that way?"

Of course, this is the way children think as well. "I don't get it" they say. "Why can't I do X?" they ask. "I don't understand why you want let me" they protest after we have explained it 10 times. Our decisons seem silly to them.

That what God is doing makes sense to me is a sign that I am on the way to salvation. I am on the road. I must stay focused on what He is doing and not get diverted by what He isn't. If I stay focused on His wisdom, I will be more than happy.

The Message that points to Messiah on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It's written, I'll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I'll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn't God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—proclaiming the Message, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

God offered Solomon anything he wanted. All he asked for was wisdom. God gave it to him. Here is his suggestion so I think I should pay attention to it. Simple advise.

Start with God.

That's it.

Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. Proverbs 1:7

I should pause

Easier said than done some days. Someone says something and off I go. I react. I speak. I regret it.

God's wisdom teaches me to pause. I should forgive what they say. I should forget what they say.

His wisdom teaches me to pause.

Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget. Proverbs 19:11