Wisdom is Found by Those Who Seek Her

Where do you go when you seek wisdom? Do you have a Spiritual Advisor, pastor, close friend, book or author that you depend on? Besides prayer, I seek and find wisdom from scripture and inspired writing. The Aprocrypha is composed of books that are inspired writings, but were not accepted for inclusion in the Bible. One of the books, Wisdom of Solomon, includes much of the same discussion of wisdom that we discover in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes..
"Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.
One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate.
To fix one's thoughts on her is perfect understanding and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought." 6:12-16.
It is so comforting to know that when we seek wisdom, it will find us on our path and in our thoughts. Lord, make me worthy of our wisdom and guide my search and understanding through you and your Holy Spirit. Protect me from thoughts that enter through other paths and help me to disregard what the enemy throws in my way.
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Hidden Gifts

Recently I was on a committee to select a property for a confernce. As we met with the various convention planners, they each offered "favors" to gain our business. The oldest property was the one that gave us the most. We really liked the planner and felt we coud work well with her, but in reviewing the property, it seriously lacked options the group had decided were important to them.

When being tempted by generosity intended to sway a decision, we have to rely heavily on the purpose and goals we want to accomplish. It's very hard not to be swayed by gifts and "sweet talk". Have you ever let gifts make decisions that you later regretted? So many temptations can be hidden in generosity.

"Many seek the favor of a generous man,
and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. jAll a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them." Prov. 19:6-8 ESV

What is a Prostitute?

When we think of prostitution, what immediately comes to mind? Evil woman? Impurity or immorality? Homes wrecked? Gentlemen's clubs. Drugs and money? How many people and careers have been destroyed because of prostitution? It's in the national news as well as the tabloids every day. And not all of it becomes public.

The Bible says a lot on the subject. It's been around a long time. Some refer to it as the oldest profession. Yet, there is meaning beyond what we usually consider prostitution. What about the references that take us from one person to the whole church? The Old Testament speaks about prostituting ourselves to other gods? Think about it. Are you ever guilty of prostituting yourself to the gods you serve like having more money, a bigger house, political support, a hobby, a big promotion, a chic wardrobe, social status, risk taking, excitement, financial success, etc. Can we say that lack of discipline is the primary causes of prostitution? Can you relate the following from Proverbs 5 to prostitution other than adultery?

" Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly." Proverbs 5:8-14

Why Listen to Wisdom?

My senior year in college, a friend and I decided to drive home for the Christmas holidays from Texas to Illinois. Weather reports were not favorable with ice and snow predicted from Little Rock north. My mother begged me to take the train or plane home, but I had no fear. We were both good drivers.

We slid on solid ice from Little Rock north. Then about 20 miles from home a semi clipped us. We spun around and headed the wrong way, The front end of my car lying inpieces on the highway.  Everyone was creeping along and fortunately no one was seriously injured. My car was totaled and when I returned to my public health rotation at Baylor College of Nursing, I found myself either walking or bumming rides from classmates.  My assigned area to make home visits was  in the Fair Park area, not considered safe for walking alone. I learned a lesson about respecting the advice of someone wiser than I. When have we not listened to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and ended up walking in unsafe places?

"Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:30-31

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Why Wisdom?

Proverbs is so beautifully written and is so filled with wisdom. Every time I read a passage, I learn something new...most of which I wish I'd read and began practicing many years ago. Chapter 3 is one of my favoites because it connects self-confidence with knowing the Lord and praciticing his precepts. Those who find wisdom are truly blessed. But practicing what we know can sometimes be very difficult because of the pull society and peers can put on us to do the opposite. So how do we find wisdom and what are the results? Is it worth more than popularity and going the other way? Is it a road less travelled?

"Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who dlay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed." Proverbs 3:13-18

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Who to Follow

We got thru the "terrible twos" then moved into the quiet early childhood years. With the entrance into school, temptations loom. As the hormones begin to rage, announcing the beginning of the teen years, peer pressure begins to take over. Who will be the winner when parents, society and friends begin the struggle for who has the most influence? Even God fearing youth struggle with which way to go. The Book of Proverbs has some answers.

" Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.  My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." Proverbs 1:8-10

"These men lie in wait for their own blood, they ambush only themselves. Such are the paths of all who go after ill begotten gain. It takes away the life of those who go after it." Proverbs 1:18-19

How have you shared this message? By being a living example or just preaching it? Temptations lie in wait for them and are usually introduced subtlely.

Parenting

I love to watch toddlers explore their environment.  The " terrible two's" is probably their major learning time. It is also a very tryng time for parents and those who care for them. Many books are written to help parents in child rearing. It's a time to exercise loving discipline. It's not to stop their inquisitivty, but a time to teach them safety, what is acceptable behavior and what is not. This is only the beginning and it takes a lot of understanding and patience, but pays off when they become self disciplined adults who are discovering where their beliefs, accomplishments and goals lead them. The wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs is our best guide to child rearing.

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:  for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;  for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;  for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young--  let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance--  for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:1-7