THIS IS WISDOM

 

Monday, April 13, 2026

 

THIS IS WISDOM

 

Ps 119:99

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

 

Deut 4:5-6

5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

 

Isa 30:21

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

 

The world is full of experts and there is no lack of advisors. There seems to be, however, a lack of wisdom. The dictionary definition of a quandary is to be in a state of perplexity or doubt. I’ve been in a quandary many times surrounded by a multitude of counselors. Is there a sure reservoir of wisdom? Is there a safe haven for decision making? The Psalmist recommends the Word of God.

 

The art of meditation is lost, I think, to technology. There is no quietness or solitude because every question, no matter how deep or puzzling, has an immediate answer waiting at the tip of our thumbs. I enjoy a cup of coffee on the front porch swing with the mist still on the roses and the birds praising God for their daily food. Too often there is no time for it.

 

The Hebrew word for meditation indicates not only reflection but devotion. The word means to muse, contemplate, ponder and even to plan. The Bible gives us an advantage over our enemies, our teachers and the sages. Because the Bible is a living book empowered by a living Spirit, it speaks to me personally. It affects me mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The Psalmist gives us the best commentary in the following Psalm.

 

Ps 119:103-105

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

Dear Lord, as I make time to meditate upon your Word and your ways, make me wise in a confusing world. AMEN

 

WHILE THEY BEHELD!

 

Sunday, April 12, 2026

 

WHILE THEY BEHELD!

 

Acts 1:7-11

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 

           The message of the angels was like that at the garden tomb. The angels seem almost amused by our reaction to things which are common among the spirits. “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) Now we hear “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” What they had seen was now gone. What they were looking at was sky. It is hard to fathom the emotions of the moment, and one wonders, had the angels not intervened, if the disciples would not still be standing there.

 

           They nearly forgot their mission and that power, dunamis or dynamite power, would soon be given to them. This power would be both the desire and the ability to do the will and work of God! What would it be like to do the will of God without reluctance? What would it be like to do the work of God without weakness? 

 

           The angels announced that He would return “in like manner.” While we are watching and seeing nothing He will come. That day can’t be long in tarrying if His coming is conditioned on the wickedness and weariness of this world. The time between the ascension and the advent of the Holy Spirit was filled with fellowship and eager anticipation. So, it should be now while we wait for His return. Let us fellowship together in eager anticipation.

 

Dear Lord, there is a longing in our heart that is hard to define. We look for you with eager anticipation. Come quickly. AMEN

 

TAKING UP OUR CROSS!

 

Saturday, April 11, 2026

 

TAKING UP OUR CROSS!

 

Matt 16:24-26

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

          All three of the synoptic gospels records Jesus saying: “If any man will come after (or follow) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross.” Luke adds the word “daily.” Following Jesus is not for wimps but risk takers.

 

1.      The Cross is PERSONAL!

 

It is YOUR cross. The cross of discipleship and service is not some naturally occurring inconvenience. It is more than a rainy day that spoils a picnic. My cross is so personal that nobody else can carry it.

 

2.      The Cross is REDEMPTIVE!

 

I believe that ministry does not happen unless the minister suffers some kind of loss so that the recipient can enjoy some kind of gain. Jesus’ cross redeemed the sinner, but Jesus was without sin. The one hanging on the cross suffered loss so that we might gain.

 

2 Cor 8:9

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

3.      The Cross is an INVESTMENT!

 

Mark 8:35-36

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

 

Those who are overly protective of this earthly life will ultimately lose it anyway. Those who recklessly invest their earthly life to do ministry will not lack life. Those who hoard earthly stuff will ultimately lose it but those who lay up treasure in heaven will never lose their investment.

 

Matt 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Dear Lord, I don’t have much but it all belongs to you. Use both me and my stuff to make gains for your kingdom. AMEN