Tag: understanding

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

I AM THE PSALMIST…

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Scripture: Psalm 119:121-128

Guest post today: by Angela Perritt | Jul 20, 2015 | Week 6/Day 1 of the LGG Psalm 119 Study

I am the Psalmist.

I, too, have a history of crying out to God, reminding Him of all that I do for Him, and asking Him the “whens” and the “whys”…

When Lord? When will you avenge?

Why Lord? Why have you allowed this?

And I, too, have a history of telling Him when He needs to act…

“It is time for you to act, O Lord…” ~ Psalm 119:126

Because of my limited sight and understanding, I struggle to comprehend the ways of our Lord at times.

I don’t have His perspective.

I don’t have His knowledge.

I am not God.

And so I become the Psalmist and cry out to Him with questions that are beyond my understanding… and I realize I am just a child.

Age is funny, you know. The older I get the more I realize how much there is to learn in life, and how very patient God is with my growth.

God is good and patient (Psalm 136:1 & 2 Peter 3:9).

I like that God is good. But patient? That can be a little harder when I’m waiting on Jesus to act.

The Jews in Jesus’ day wanted a Savior who would concur and overthrow the Roman oppressors. They wanted action. They wanted revenge. They wanted all those who had hurt them to finally have their day.

And in many ways, I am no different. And neither is our buddy the Psalmist.

He has highs and lows as he pursues knowing God better and gaining greater wisdom… just like me.

I’m taking comfort that here is a man who is completely sold out to God – a man who treasures God’s Word more than gold or gems – and yet I see this man struggle with waiting on the Lord to move. I hear him remind God of the righteous life he has led, just in case God may have missed it. I see him plead with God as he continues to be oppressed.

And in a strange way, it encourages me. It strengthens me.

Maybe it’s the progression of moving from “baby food” to “solids” in terms of spiritual growth, but it comforts me to know that other people who are 100% sold out for God – those who desperately want to live their lives for Him – struggle in their understanding of why He chooses to act sometimes, and at other times remains patient and does not step in and fix the situation like we want Him to.

But I’m starting to notice that in the waiting…there is precious growth.

In the waiting there is purpose.

“Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”

The Psalmist does cry out to the Lord, but he also accompanies it with a sincere desire to know God and learn His ways:

“… teach me your decrees.”~ Psalm 119:124

“… give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”~ Psalm 119:125

His heart is humble and teachable. He wants God’s ways over his own.

And maybe that’s the purpose of the waiting: the precious growth it produces.

“God’s delays are not God’s denials.”- Warren W. Wiersbe

So, like the Psalmist, I cry out to God and say:

“It is time for you to act, O Lord; your law is being broken.” ~ Psalm 119:126

But in these days of waiting, I’m learning to dig a little bit deeper into God’s Word and pray a little more earnestly. And that’s always a good thing.

“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done…” ~ Matthew 6:10

“The day will come when the truth will be revealed and sin will be judged; meanwhile, instead of complaining about what we have paid or lost, let us rejoice in the wealth that we have in God’s Word; wealth that can never be taken from us.”- Warren W. Wiersbe

Let’s Talk:

Don’t doubt for a second that God doesn’t see what’s going on in our world. But in the waiting, how can we be more proactive in growing in our faith and reaching out to a hurting world… being the hands and feet of Jesus?

Love God Greatly!

– I’d love for you to leave your thoughts on this question in the comment section 🦋

Posted in Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time, Spirit, Wisdom

Wisdom & Understanding

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“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” Colossians 1:9

God is good. He has gifted us with prayer and His Spirit. Jesus taught His disciples that the Holy Spirit was an advocate whom the Father would send in His name, He would teach them all things and remind them of everything that Christ had told them. Here, Paul prays for the believers in Colossae to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will -through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. According to the writer of ourdailyverse.com, “filled with the knowledge of His will,” is a phrase that transcends mere understanding. It suggests a filling so complete that it overflows into every corner of our lives – guiding our actions, decisions, and interactions.

May the Spirit help us to not just know God’s will, but faithfully seek it – that we may “be so filled with His will that our lives become a testament to God’s wisdom and grace.” This daily walk of faith – this journey through life on earth is only possible with the Spirit – the One who empowers, guides, teaches, reminds, and makes known the will of God.

“Dear Lord, In the quiet of this morning, my heart seeks the depth of understanding that comes form You alone. Inspired by the wisdom of Colossians, I pray for an infusion of your spiritual insight into my life. May your will be the lens through which I view the world, guiding my steps in love and truth. — Teach me, Father, to navigate this day with a spirit attuned to Your voice. Help me to embody the grace and compassion that Jesus demonstrated, making each decision a reflection of Your love. In moments of uncertainty, grant me the clarity of Your wisdom, so that I may act with confidence in Your divine plan. — Strengthen my reslove to serve those around me to be a beacon of Your light in their lives. Let my words and actions today sow seeds of Your kingdom, cultivating a harvest of righteousness and peace. In the precious name of Jesus, I commit this day to You. – Amen.” (borrowed from Ourdailyverse.com / 2.12.24)

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Living In Community, Not Made to Be Alone, Quiet Time

Christ Our Example

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Today’s Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 / SOAP: Philippians 2:3-5

Understanding Humility

In any given dictionary you will find humility defined something like this … “a modest or low view of one’s own importance, humbleness, the state of being humble.” Most of these definitions are followed by a sentence structured around the word in the hope of making the definition clear. However, there is no clearer illustration of humility than what we are reading in Philippians today, specifically verses 3-8. What I love about Paul – is he doesn’t simply instruct the believers to let their actions be motivated by or in humility but he includes the perfect illustration in the person and actions of Christ.

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interest of others as well. you should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had., who though He existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature. He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:3-8

Christ-like Humility

To this day I still remember the first day that I read this passage with any real knowledge or understanding and it still makes the same aww-inspiring impact on me when I read it today. What a beautiful perspective it puts on the love and actions of Jesus Christ on our behalf. From the humble cradle in the animal stall to the garden prayer, and the nails, thorns, and cross Christ was the ‘poster-child’ for humility – and we are called to have that same attitude. His attitude was one that”

  • wasn’t motivated by selfish ambition or vanity but –
  • was – steeped in humility and therefore –
  • even though He was God in the flesh He didn’t demand to be treated like God – but instead
  • He emptied Himself of His rightful authority and took on the form of a servant
    • by looking like other men
    • by sharing in human nature and –
    • humbling Himself and becoming obedient to death on the cross

Putting Away

Thus – if we are going to have the same attitude as Christ, we must practice humility – namely, by putting away any selfish ambitions or vanity. We must treat one another better than we treat ourself. we must be truly concerned about others – for only then is there any hope for our attitude to mirror the servant heart of Christ.

Response to God’s Word

Father, I ask again today for an attitude like that of Christ – a servant’s heart, an obedient spirit that puts Your will above my own or anyone else’s. I know this is Your will for me and for all of Your children. In Jesus’ name and power – and in accordance with Your will – I pray, Amen!

Love God Greatly

Be sure and check-out Wednesday’s blog post from the Love God Greatly team –

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, In His Image, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time

To The Only Wise God

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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.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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For the Lord gives wisdom,
    and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright
    and is a shield to those who walk in integrity—

Proverbs 2:6-7

In the first 5 verses the listener is encouraged to listen for wisdom, to concentrate on understanding, and call out for understanding and then here in verse six Solomon reveals that wisdom comes from the Lord, as does knowledge and understanding. So the underlying instruction is to seek the Lord – listen to Him and call out to Him. Why? Because those who seek after Him and walk in His ways are those to whom He will give wisdom and for whom He will be a shield of defense.

May God grant us wisdom and understanding so that we may please Him and know His discernment and protection. In Jesus’ Name – Amen

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study
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Fear of the LORD

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 1:7

For the next two weeks we will journey through the first 4 chapters of Proverbs. The book was written by King Solomon, son of David. It is typically described as a book of wise sayings – rather than large passages of information or stories. It covers a wide range of topics but there are four key terms:

  • Learning- getting information for immediate use, such as a phone number
  • Knowledge – information kept for long term use
  • wisdom – being able to act on knowledge
  • and understanding – being able to, or even having the responsibility to pass on something learned, retained, and wisely used

Our SOAP verse today, verse 7, is actually said to have be the cornerstone for the entire book so let’s give it some special attention and set the stage for the study.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. The word fear here doesn’t mean to stand trembling before Him but rather to have a great reverence for God – who He is, what He expects and what He can do.

True knowledge, according to Solomon, cannot exist without a fear or deep healthy reverence for God. “The implication is not that knowledge can’t be obtained apart from God but that knowledge is out of place apart from a ‘fear’ of God.”

However, just because “the fear of the LORD” is to be top priority in my life does not mean it is ok to set aside “wise instruction or the discipline of the instruction”. Solomon says those who do so are fools.

Living like this requires studying God – spending time with Him, learning to know His power, love, and expectations – and then living by this knowledge.

Father, thank You for teaching me to have a healthy reverence for who You are and what You expect from Your children. Help us to live accordingly so that in all thing and at all time You will be glorified – In Jesus’ Name, Ame!n!!