Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Effective prayer”
Our Bible verse for today: “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 8:10-11 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “Pray for wisdom.”
If you pray for something God wants you to have, you’re guaranteed of getting it. So if you want to pray effectively, pray for things you know God wants you to have. You can know what some of those things are by checking the Bible. Two of the things God has very clearly told us in the Bible that He wants us to have are wisdom and godly character. So we’ll end this month of devotions about effective prayer by thinking about those two virtues – wisdom today, and character tomorrow.
Wisdom is much different from knowledge. Knowledge is simply a matter of acquiring information about a subject. There are plenty of people who have lots of knowledge about all sorts of things and yet their lives are a train wreck.
Wisdom on the other hand, is the ability to apply Biblical truth in practical ways that makes a meaningful difference in everyday life. People with Biblical wisdom have a deep understanding of Biblical principles and a mature ability to apply those Biblical principles to everyday life. Such people are wise in the ways of God.
When a person has Biblical wisdom they’re able to live a life that is noticeably different from that of most other people. They may not have a lot of formal education, or a high position in a big name company, or even lots of worldly wealth and possessions, but they are known to be men and women of exceptional character, sound judgment, common sense, and they’re admired and respected by everyone.
God wants us to have biblical wisdom. In Proverbs 8:10-11 Solomon tells us that such wisdom is more precious than rubies or gold. James, the brother of Jesus, told us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
Biblical wisdom is a character trait that develops over time if it is carefully cultivated. You have to want it, you have to seek it, and you have to pray for it. In other words, you must have a deep desire to be wise in the ways of God and therefore you apply yourself by diligently studying the Bible, faithfully participating in small groups and worship services, serving in Christian ministry, and consistently placing yourself in a position before God whereby He can help you to learn and grow.
God wants you to be Biblically wise. So as James said, ask Him for that wisdom. He wants you to have it and so it’s a prayer He will be happy to answer.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 