Godly wisdom – Me From the Inside Out

Bible study, Devotion, For Such A Time As This, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Esther’s Willing Heart

Posted on April 29, 2025April 29, 2025 by

Based on For Such A Time As This, A Love God Greatly Study – w2d3

Read: Esther 2:19-23 and SOAP: Proverbs 19:20

Listen to advice and receive discipline,
that you may become wise by the end of your life.

Proverbs 19:20

When we read today’s passage from Esther, we may be tempted to think that a lot of what happens is by coincidence. However, while we may not read God’s name on the page, rest assured, none of what we read happens by coincidence or accident. Everything, from the timing of the exile to Mordecai raising Esther, to Esther learning to listen to and follow his advice, to Esther becoming queen, and the fact that Mordecai was sitting in the king’s gate, where he learned of the assassination plot, happened with a purpose. Look at the list – marvel and count the ways that God worked to accomplish His purpose. Some reveal how God’s hand has already moved, while the full picture of others will be seen later in the story.

Esther and Mordecai had been taken into exile.
Esther had been orphaned and raised by Mordecai, her relative.
Mordecai had instructed Esther not to divulge her lineage, and she willingly obeyed.
Esther, a young Jewish woman, was now queen of Persia.
Mordecai could check on Esther daily.
Mordecai was sitting in the king’s court and overheard an assassination plot against the king.
Mordecai was able to tell Esther, and she was willing and able to tell the king.
When Esther told the king, she used Mordecai’s name.
The king’s life was spared, and he not only hanged the conspirators, but he also had everything recorded.

Just as none of these events happened by accident, our lives will not reflect Christ to those around us by accident or happenstance. As today’s journal entry points out, if we desire to run the race well, we must be purposeful in seeking out godly wisdom and walking close to God, so that when we finish the race, we will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

As for the SOAP passage from Proverbs 19:20, today’s journal entry points out that “it is a reminder that true wisdom often comes through listening to advice and accepting instruction. This can be challenging, especially when we think we’ve already figured things out. But a heart that’s willing to learn is a heart that grows. Like Esther, who listened to Mordecai’s counsel, we, too, are called to seek guidance from wise, godly people who can help us navigate life’s decisions.”
Excerpt from For Such A Time As This, p75

Prayer

Father, Your sovereignty inspires me and never ceases to amaze me. Thank You for the blessing of Your acts seen on the pages of Your Word, even where Your name does not appear. Thank you for the courage and the boldness of Mordecai and Esther, and for the teaching of this Proverb to seek and listen to Godly counsel so that we may become wise by the end of our lives. Help us to seek Your counsel above all others, but to heed the words of wisdom from those godly saints You have placed in our lives. I am also reminded by today’s events in the king’s gates that often You allow us to hear things so that we might be a help to others – make me a better listener, Father, not so distracted by self and the world, so that I might be a faithful servant in Your hands. – In the sweet and powerful name of Jesus – amen!

Note: Remember, the goal I mentioned earlier in our journey is to listen and watch for God. For while we do not see/read His name on the pages of the book of Esther, God was working all things together for the good of His people. Keep your eyes open and jot down glimpses you catch of Him throughout the journey. Training ourselves to do this can make such a difference in our own lives when we are struggling to see or sense His presence. – How have you seen Him working in your life? Do you see Him today?

Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Set Apart - Living a Life for God's Glor

Seek Wisdom

Posted on January 22, 2024January 22, 2024 by

based on the LGG Study, Set Apart, living a life for God’s glory / w3d2

Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-19 / SOAP verses 6-7

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will guard you. ⁷Wisdom is supreme— so acquire wisdom, and whatever you acquire acquire understanding!
Proverbs 4:6-7

When Solomon speaks of wisdom, he is referring to the precepts, or general rules, of God’s Word. It is seen throughout Scripture that the person who chooses to live according to the Word of God is spared from the destruction that comes to those who forsake or refuse His Word. Or, as BIbleref.com explains it, “Those who live by godly principles are far less likely to suffer the consequences faced by those who participate in sin and depravity.” Solomon was trained by his father to follow God’s word, and now he was teaching his son the same lesson. He wanted him to know that there is nothing more valuable than gaining the wisdom of God. Possessing godly wisdom is better than any amount of material possessions, wealth, or fame. However, we must not simply acquire wisdom but also seek to understand it, for without understanding, we will easily fall prey to the hindrances of this life that can quickly deter us from faithfully following God’s will.

Godly wisdom may look very different from worldly wisdom. Jesus highlighted these differences in His Sermon On the Mount For example, He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Godly wisdom often requires us to do that which is opposite our natural inclinations. Godly wisdom goes against the “conventional wisdom” of the day; it is not focused on self-preservation but on furthering the kingdom of God. We can only live in godly wisdom when we are committed to crucifying our flesh and living in the Spirit (see Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:16, 25).
gotquestions.org (read it all in today’s “The More We Know”)

Wisdom from the Journey

Seek to fill your mind with wisdom from God. For when we stay true to God’s wisdom our hearts will be guarded and we will be protected.

Reflection On the Journey

What practical steps can you take to seek God’s wisdom through His Word?

The More We Know

Christ wants His followers to be set apart from the world, making godly choices and living godly lives

Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Armor of God

Know the Enemy

Posted on October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by

based on the Love God Greatly Study, The Armor of God / w1d2

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12 / SOAP 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
Ephesians 6:12

Just as it is crucial for us to be prepared for the battles that are lurking around us, it is equally important to know who our enemy is and who he is not. Why? Because if we do not know him we will more easily fall prey to his lies and deceptions when he comes for us. Likewise, if we do not understand who he ‘is not’, ie “flesh and blood,” or as Bibleref.com explains, our enemies are “not people or objects. Instead, they are “part of the demonic armies”, or as Paul defines them: “rulers… powers… world rulers of darkness… and spiritual forces of evil.” They are dangerous and can only be overcome when we are standing ready in the strength and the power of our God.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

It isn’t enough to know what God has said, Eve knew what He said and she even repeated it to the serpent [the enemy] but she still succumbed and submitted to the enemy’s lie and to the desire of the flesh and eye that the lie had stirred within her. Make no mistake regardless of the form our enemy takes, his goal is to lead us away from God – which ultimately leads us to sin.

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:17

Sin, “our true opponent.”¹ has a name. Eve knew him as the serpent in Genesis chapter three. Here, in Ephesians chapter six, Paul refers to him as the devil – but he has a host of other names and demons that work to do his bidding. They have one purpose in mind and that is to steal, kill, and destroy all those who faithfully follow after God. Our only hope of survival is standing firm in the strength and power of God and implementing the full resources of His armor. This may, at times, seem impossible but consider the encouragement of Peter, who said, “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, [God] has given us great and promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4). Like Adam and Eve, we try to explain away our sin or cast blame onto the ‘enemy’, but the truth is – we, like them, are without excuse for our sinful choices. So, may we heed the wisdom and encouragement of Paul’s words – to prepare ourselves and know our enemy so that we might stand firm and begin to suit up in the weeks ahead as we learn to implement the “full armor of God.”

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
2 Peter 1:3a

¹Bibleref.com

To The Only Wise God

Posted on March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 by

Scripture Reading: Job 12:13-17 and 36:5; Psalm 147:5; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Daniel 2:20; Romans 11:33 and 16:25-27

According to the last chapter of “In His Image”, the last of the 10 attributes of God that we are to imitate is wisdom. As the author points out “wisdom is closely related to knowledge, but distinct from it.” They are so closely related that you may be wondering exactly what the difference is, my short take on it is this – Wisdom, is the application of knowledge, which is to “possess the facts”. Mrs. Wilkin goes on to point out the difference between human wisdom and God’s wisdom, saying – “The wisest human you know is capable of choosing wrongly, simply because he does not possess all the facts.” However, she explains, “Because God holds all knowledge, He is able to choose [the] perfect [outcome].” This means there is a difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom, which James, the brother of Jesus, explains in James 3:13-18. Wilkin states that “worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom are antithetical and adversarial” and summarizes the differences as such:

Worldly wisdom self-promotes. Godly wisdom elevates others.
Worldly wisdom seeks the highest place. Godly wisdom seeks the lowest place.
Worldly wisdom avoids the mirror of the Word. Godly wisdom submits to the mirror of the Word
Worldly wisdom trusts in earthly possessions. Godly wisdom trusts in treasures in heaven.
Worldly wisdom boasts. Godly wisdom is slow to speak.
Worldly wisdom says trials will crush you. Godly wisdom says trials will mature you.
Worldly wisdom says temptation is no big deal. Godly wisdom says temptation indulged leads to death.
Worldly wisdom says, “seeing is believing.” Godly wisdom says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”(John 20:29).
Worldly wisdom wields might. Godly wisdom works in meekness.

The bottom-line is this, “The worldly-wise place themselves in opposition to God, operating from their own perspective of what is best, a perspective that seeks only the best for them.”

If you find yourself wondering how to possess “Godly wisdom”, you’ll find the answer in James 1:5, where we are instructed to simply ask God, who will give it generously.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James 1:5

You see, God is the source of all wisdom. Job said, “With God are wisdom and might … [God] has counsel and understanding … With him are strength and sound wisdom.” (Job 12:13-17) This statement from Job introduces a third word into the mix of wisdom and knowledge, that being ‘understanding’, which has been defined by many to be the “comprehension of the facts”. I believe understanding is crucial to the mix – as it will, or should, help us better apply the facts in a more godly way – especially if we add prayer to the mix as well – which is a must for any reading of God’s Word. For how can we read and hope to comprehend the words of one whose thoughts and ways are so far above our own if we do not pray for understanding?

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

God has actually placed the source of understanding within every believer, through His gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that the Spirit was given to teach us all things and remind us of everything that Christ said. Being finite creatures who do not hold all knowledge nor retain everything we hear, see, or even understand, we will find ourselves constantly in need of a “sustaining supply of godly wisdom”, and we must not be afraid to ask, or slack in asking for it. In other words, don’t just read to be reading and checking off a list – read for knowledge, to know the facts, about Your Creator God and to become like Him (Colossians 3:10) … pray and read to understand …. and then ask Him for the wisdom to appropriately apply it to your life. He will hear and He will answer and we will be forever changed

Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions based on the knowledge available.
Jen Wilkin, In His Image -p 136

So, let’s ask the question that we started with two weeks ago, “Who should [we] be?” God’s Word instructs us in the way of wisdom so it is safe – and wise – to say that He wants us to be wise, not as the world is wise but as He is. So how can we be wise like God? – We open His Word – where pictures of His wisdom are sprinkled throughout the pages. Or as Wilkin writes, “We do so by declaring, as Solomon did, “Bring me a sword”. For, as the author of Hebrews wrote, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Wilkin goes on to write: “The Word of God gives us discernment into what is arguably the area we need it most: the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts. In seeing our own depravity, we develop a right reverence (fear) of the Lord. And wisdom begins to be formed in us. When God points out your sin, you are wise to turn from it. The most basic act of wisdom is repentance. Turning from sin trains us in how to hate it, in how to anticipate the temptation points, and in how to seek the Holy Spirit’s aid in finding the way of escape.”

One final quote in closing, “It is not coincidental that a lack of discernment and a neglected Bible are so often found in company. The Bible contains for us ancient worlds of wisdom, and it tells us also of the example of Christ, who became for us wisdom from God.” So, if we want to be wise – truly wise – we only have to turn our eyes upon Jesus – who became for us wisdom from God. In Him, what He did and said, are all of the perfect examples of who God wants us to be.

My Prayer Response:

Father, I give You praise for revealing wisdom to us in Your Word and in the example of Christ our Lord. show us if and where worldly wisdom control our thoughts, words, and actions. Show To the only wise God, my Father, be glory and majesty. Show us where we are are requesting knowledge instead of godly wisdom. Grant us wisdom and prod us to keep on asking for it – and help us to trust You to give it generously as You have promised, in Jesus’ name. Now, to the only wise God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen.