Quotation
Rejection hurts! Right! During my seventy-year journey here on Earth, I have experienced the pain of rejection more times than I want to remember. Worldly wisdom tells us the pain of rejection and physical pain have the same effect on the brain, setting up a cascade of events to thwart it, or as Barney would say on The Andy Griffith Show, “Nip it, Nip it in the bud”.
Barry Denzil Haney, MD
Scripture
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9
Reflection
Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. Wisdom is learning to use the facts you have accumulated. We accumulate facts by what we see! Unfortunately, many in today’s world accumulate false facts through the chaos they see on social media sites, twenty-four-hour news cycles, and in their neighborhoods. King David laments: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.” (Psalm 101:3) Unfortunately, in today’s secular world, where we are bombarded by Satan’s lies and deceptions. If we are not careful, we will become like the world instead of a child of God.
As a Christian, we should ask, “What would Jesus do?” We need to watch, read, and listen to what Jesus would do. The only way to know what Jesus would do is to read the Bible and to get to know Him better through daily prayer.
We need to ask God for wisdom before we ask for anything else.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5
Perry Stone says this about lack of wisdom, “you can speak without thinking, hear without listening, and listen without doing.” We need to seek wisdom. Wisdom will help us to know when to speak and when to be silent, how to listen, and what to do to further the kingdom of God.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Proverbs 15:1-2
Through my study of the Word the Holy Spirit has provided me with Wisdom and revealed to me there is only one Ladder or Stairway to Heaven! God tells us in John 14:6, the following:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
Although this exclusivity is offensive to many, it is the absolute truth. Today’s world needs a Savior who satisfies justice more than ever. Jesus is that Savior, who alone has the power to forgive sin! He did so when He died on the cross at Calvary, meeting God’s demand for eternal justice for our sin. To God be the glory! Amen!
Illustration
A man approached a speaker and said, “You Christians are all brainwashed.” The speaker replied, “I think we are all brainwashed to a degree. The important thing is that we Christians choose what we want to wash our brains with.”[1](Green)
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us Your wisdom!
Help us to be stable and steadfast,
and know when to speak and when to be silent!
How to listen and how to act!
We know Jesus is the only way to the father!
This exclusivity does not deny anyone access
to the Father. All they need to do is receive
the gift of grace through faith in Jesus!
In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,
Amen!
Worship
Wisdom Song – Laura Woodley Osman
God Bless You,
Barry
Green, Michael P. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print.
[1] Michael P. Green. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print.
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