It’s 2024 and as we start a new year, many people will reset their mindset and even make a list of resolutions. Some people will pause, take some time to think about the previous year, and see what can change in their life in the upcoming year. On Sunday, Pastor Adam started a new sermon series titled “Firm Foundation,” and this Sunday we learned about Pursuing Wisdom. We are reminded how big things in our life all start off small, just was we were once small and have continued to grow. Just like the large giant red wood trees, they start off as a small seed and can grow up to 300 to 350 feet tall.
On Sunday, Pastor Adam shared an image of a red wood tree and showed the enormity of their size. As I stared at the beautiful tree, I think about my multiple attempts to plant and grow a tree in my own yard. I have tried to grow about four different types of trees and unfortunately, they have never lived more than a year. I keep asking myself; why did my trees fail to grow? Was it the soil/environment they were in? Did they not have enough support (buried deep enough)? Did I need to put stakes to support it? Did I water it enough?
As we start small, we will continue to grow, but most importantly we need to grow with God’s guidance and direction. As we grow, most importantly, we need God’s wisdom in our life.
Pastor Adam shared three Truths about Wisdom:
Wisdom begins with humility
Wisdom grows little by little
Wisdom blooms with maturity
This week we will spend time visiting verses in Proverbs that focus on wisdom and growth.
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Monday:
During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Adam shared how God wants wisdom to be something that is highly sought after in our lives. As we begin the week, lets focus on how Wisdom begins with humility.
As we think about humility, I looked at what the Bible says about humility. I went to Colossians 3:12 which tells us that we need to clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I read that “Humility is presented as the practice of meekness, obedience to God, respect of self and others, submissiveness and modesty.”
Reflection/ Action: Read Proverbs 4:1-3. My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
As a parent, I know that to my children, I sound like the teacher from the Peanuts cartoon (for youngsters, if you don’t know what I’m referring to, please google it). The Peanuts gang (and my children) don’t really hear what the teacher/parent was saying, being either inaudible or just choosing not to listen. Sometimes, we may feel the same way when God is trying to talk to us or trying to lead us where we don’t want to go.
Spend time in prayer today and ask yourself these questions.
Have you acknowledged that you need God’s wisdom in your life?
Do you listen when God corrects you or tries to lead in his direction for your life?
Are you paying attention to God, or do you shy away from his guidance?
Have you humbled yourself to listen and take in what he is saying to you or where he is leading you?
Pray about your responses and pray about allowing God to guide you.
Tuesday:
Pastor Adam reminded us on Sunday that “the wise listen to advice.” It has been said that “a wise man learns by the experience of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experience. A fool learns by nobody's experience” (Unknown author).
Think about growing up from a child to a teenager to a young adult. You didn’t want to listen to anyone, especially your parents. Then you may have listened to the wrong person, given the wrong advice, and traveled down the wrong path. Now, as an adult we look back and realize how much we have learned throughout our life. We have simply grown wiser.
If we take that same principle into account now with our relationship with God; are you avoiding him and his word? Are you listening to someone or something else that may be guiding you in the wrong direction? Is there an idol in your life that comes before God or replaces Him?
Reflection/ Action: Read Proverbs 9:10. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Read Proverbs 12:15. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice
Again, wisdom begins with humility. We must fear the Lord and seek His truth; seek His direction. Spend time in prayer today asking Him for guidance. Recall the wise guidance he has given you and thank Him for His wisdom and guidance.
Wednesday:
The second truth on wisdom that Pastor Adam shared with us is, “Wisdom grows little by little.”
As we grow and age, we learn to develop better judgement as we grow in wisdom. We take a step closer to understanding God. It’s taking those baby steps to listen to God to grow and learn, as our wisdom grows more and more.
One of my favorite authors is Chaim Potok, who happens to also be a Rabbi. One of his books, “The Chosen,” shares about wisdom. Potok wrote:
A man is born into this world with only a tiny spark of goodness in him. The spark is God, it is the soul; the rest is ugliness and evil, a shell. The spark must be guarded like a treasure, it must be nurtured, it must be fanned into flame. It must learn to seek out other sparks, it must dominate the shell.
We need to allow God to lead us to take steps of faith to grow our spark. That spark must be nurtured in order to grow.
Reflection/ Action: Read Proverbs 4:4-7. My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
As the year is just starting up, pray about starting new practices this year to bring you closer to God. Read scripture, spend more time in prayer, serve others more, show gratitude, and simply, do more to be like Jesus. Remember “wisdom grows little by little.”
Thursday:
The third truth on wisdom that Pastor Adam shared with us on Sunday was, “Wisdom blooms with maturity.”
During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Adam mentioned how wisdom is referred to as a woman. I went on an internet search for more meaning of the personification of wisdom as a female. Although I found very lengthy, scholarly responses, this one below was easier to understand. Ostrander stated,
The woman in Proverbs personifies God’s creative counsel and purpose, as well as God’s presence and active involvement in the world. She personifies the gift of wisdom given to humanity by God for guidance, enabling us to obey God’s commands and respond to God’s calling. She also personifies the order and meaning which God has implanted in creation, God’s general revelation. Lady-Wisdom, then, represents wisdom itself, in all its forms and manifestations.
Reflection/ Action: Read Proverbs 4:8-9. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.”
Pray about wisdom that you have gained over the years; thank God for this wisdom. Have you embraced this wisdom? As you have grown in God’s wisdom, do you feel that you wear your wisdom like a crown on your head, or do you tend to hide or conceal your wisdom?
Spend time in prayer as you have been honored by His wisdom.
Friday:
As our week begins to close, let’s focus on your life of pursuing God’s wisdom and how valuable His wisdom is. Just as a baby takes their first step to learn how to walk, we too must take one small step of faithfulness, after another.
Dr. Charlie Wallace stated, “True wisdom, however, can only be found in Jesus Christ. Experiencing Him, growing in the knowledge of Him and making choices in obedience to Him; biblically speaking, that is what makes one wise.”
Reflection/ Action: Read 1 Corinthians 1:24. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Take time today to pray to our Heavenly Father for your heart to be encouraged; ask God to change your heart as you grow in His wisdom. Pray about your thoughts. “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Cor. 2:3). He is our source for wisdom and knowledge. Finally, spend time praying about life change. “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (Cor. 2:6-7).
Pastor Adam reminds us that, “God is calling us all to live in such a way, that his principles and purposes may be demonstrated through our lives.” Remind yourself that God is pursing you.
Saturday:
Let’s go back to day one; recall how I shared how I have never successfully grown a tree. After four attempts, you would think I would get it right. Maybe I just need to pay for arborist to come over and plant a tree for me. But even if I hire an arborist, I still have to do my part to keep my tree alive. I don’t want to overwater my tree, or let it go dry. It needs nourishment and stability to continue to grow. I don’t want it to lose all its leaves or bear no fruit.
Staying connected to Jesus will allow us to gain His wisdom; the wisdom he wants to give to us. Staying connected to Jesus reminds me that we are the branches, and He is the vine.
Reflection/ Action: Read Matthew 15: 1-2, 4-5,8. “1I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
Spend time in prayer. Pray about staying connected to Jesus. Thank our heavenly Father for his continued wisdom as we stay connected to him to bear fruit for His Glory!