“Give
instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he
will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And
the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:9-10 NKJ)
instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he
will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And
the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:9-10 NKJ)
In terms of
increasing your wisdom, have you ever thought about your associations and
friendships and relationships and their impact on you? C. S. Lewis said, “The
next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
We do become like the people with whom we hang out.
increasing your wisdom, have you ever thought about your associations and
friendships and relationships and their impact on you? C. S. Lewis said, “The
next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
We do become like the people with whom we hang out.
I serve on the
Leadership Development Board of our church in Alabama. In the course of our
discussions, we frequently turn our attention to the Bible and prayer for
direction and divine counsel. During one Board meeting, we were discussing how
to motivate pastoral leaders and new minister candidates to take advantage of
training opportunities. Several solutions were suggested and discussed without
a clear directive.
Leadership Development Board of our church in Alabama. In the course of our
discussions, we frequently turn our attention to the Bible and prayer for
direction and divine counsel. During one Board meeting, we were discussing how
to motivate pastoral leaders and new minister candidates to take advantage of
training opportunities. Several solutions were suggested and discussed without
a clear directive.
We paused in our
deliberations and an elder Board member cited Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man
will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise
counsel” and suggested we pray about the issues. We all agreed and fell to
our knees praying that God would enable pastors and candidates alike to see the
need for increasing their knowledge and learning.
deliberations and an elder Board member cited Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man
will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise
counsel” and suggested we pray about the issues. We all agreed and fell to
our knees praying that God would enable pastors and candidates alike to see the
need for increasing their knowledge and learning.
We are truly wise
when we increase our learning from the wisdom of our associates and
friends. This senior pastor knew that if
anyone lacks wisdom, he/she can request it from God “who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
His suggestion to our Board is an excellent example of what to do when you
don’t know what to do.
when we increase our learning from the wisdom of our associates and
friends. This senior pastor knew that if
anyone lacks wisdom, he/she can request it from God “who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
His suggestion to our Board is an excellent example of what to do when you
don’t know what to do.
The best assets we
can possess are friends whose minds and hearts are saturated with the Holy
Spirit and the Word of God. Their life and experience of walking with God
provide a greater value to us than silver or gold.
can possess are friends whose minds and hearts are saturated with the Holy
Spirit and the Word of God. Their life and experience of walking with God
provide a greater value to us than silver or gold.
Dear Father, thank
you for wise friends and associates who impact my life and increase my
learning. Empower me to pass it on through my friendships with others. This I
pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for wise friends and associates who impact my life and increase my
learning. Empower me to pass it on through my friendships with others. This I
pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today increasing your learning,
courageous today increasing your learning,