Increase Your Faith

Wisdom is like honey for your life— if you find it, your future is bright. Proverbs 24:14 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV)

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:13-16 NKJV)

Every good thing you’ve ever desired is found when you find Wisdom!

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Young people take pride in their strength, but the gray hairs of wisdom are even more beautiful. Proverbs 20:29 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom trumps strength every time. We live in a culture that is obsessed with youth, but God puts more emphasis on the Wisdom that comes with aging than He does the strength of youth.

Although Wisdom is available to all who ask God for it, there’s just some added advantage when the seeker of Wisdom is older. Now, I’m not suggesting that simply being old makes a person wise. Not at all! But, Wisdom acquired over many years is much more effective, better seasoned, and quite useful. That’s why the Lord wants us to live long and prosper.

Your best years are ahead of you, not behind you! So, strive to live a very long life and serve as a beacon of Wisdom to those who come behind you.

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By finding Me, you find life, and the Lord will be pleased with you. But if you don’t find Me, you hurt only yourself, and if you hate Me, you are in love with death. Proverbs 8:35-36 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom is speaking in Proverbs 8, assuring us that when we find Him, we find the finer things in life. Once Wisdom is sought after and obtained, all of the benefits thereof become our possessions. Long life, health, and favor all become ours when we seek for Wisdom with our whole heart.

Wisdom says, “I can make you rich and famous, important and successful. What you receive from me is more valuable than even the finest gold or the purest silver. (Proverbs 8:18-19 CEV) When we fail to embrace the Wisdom of God, we only hurt ourselves by separating ourselves from the best that God has to offer.

Selah…

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Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14 (ESV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom is the basis for Biblical hope. We know this true because Romans 15:4 tells us that the Word of God gives us hope. We also know that the Word of God is the Wisdom of God because Jesus Christ is referred to as both in Scripture; therefore, they are synonymous.

Today’s verse says that Wisdom, or the Word, is like honey to the soul and finding Him allows us to discover our future without experiencing any disappointments. Walking in Wisdom is paramount for those who wish to enjoy the marvelous plan Jesus has in store for them.

On the other hand, peoples who lack Wisdom are relegated to operating in foolishness, which as a form of evil ultimately produces death. That’s why those who embrace it lose all hope and dread the future. Such folks genuinely believe life is hard and a burden.

Thank God we are not those who lack hope! We are those who obey Proverbs 4:7 by making Wisdom the single most important pursuit in our lives. Consequently, we enjoy success in all that we do.

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Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 (ESV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom can be defined as the way God thinks. Therefore, anything described as wise would, by necessity, have to line up with God’s thoughts on a specific matter. According to the GOD’s Word Translation, Proverbs 6:6 says, “Consider the ant, you lazy bum. Watch its ways, and become WISE.” [emphasis added].

What’s wise about the ant’s ways? “In summertime it stores its food supply. At harvest time it gathers its food.” In other words, the ant stores up sustenance for an uncertain date in the future; it knows that a season is coming when harvesting opportunities will be few and far between.

Since the ant’s ways are described as “wise”, they MUST be consistent with the way God thinks. Saving money and other means of sustenance are wise for one reason and one reason only. Such measures are consistent with the Lord’s way of thinking. God knows this imperfect world has up-and-down economic cycles and His people should be prepared in any event.

It was God Who, through Joseph, gave ancient Egypt the strategy to prepare for the worst famine that region had known up to that point. It was a simple plan. During the economic “boom time” lasting seven years, they were to save a percentage of grain so that during the famine there would be plenty of food available.

God doesn’t change and this world is as unstable as ever. We must heed the Wisdom of God by having an effective financial savings plan in action. Look at the ant and be wise! Or, you’ll be sorry at some uncertain date in the future.

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…but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster. Proverbs 1:33 (ESV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom is a spiritual force that produces many physical and practical benefits. Wisdom can be defined as the way God thinks and reasons, and His thoughts, as with all speaking spirits created by Him, are expressed in words. In other words, the Wisdom of God is the Word of God.

Read carefully what God says of His Word in Isaiah 55:11 (GWT): “My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results, but it will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do.”

The Word or Wisdom of God always gets desired results. In today’s verse, Wisdom promises complete security and peace to all those who listen. He says, “whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Security is a basic human need. All people crave to be in environments where predictability is evident. In general, people don’t like surprises; we like to know what to expect.

When we embrace Wisdom and submit to Him wholeheartedly, we can predict the outcome of our lives. We can expect good even though evil and harm are all around us.

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Buy truth (and do not sell it), that is, buy wisdom, discipline, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23 (GWT)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom is supreme. Get Wisdom. Yes, though it costs you all your possessions, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 (WEB)

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. Proverbs 4:7 (NLT)

The acquisition of Wisdom is the single most important thing in life. Wisdom can be defined as the sum total of all of God’s thoughts, ideas, and moral positions. In short, Wisdom is what and how God, who is supreme, thinks.

When we acquire Wisdom and apply it to our lives, we are in complete lock step with the Creator of all things, Who knows all things. There is absolutely no downside to Wisdom; it gives us access to the best life possible.

It is incumbent upon us, however, to get Wisdom. Wisdom is NOT a free gift, like righteousness. Righteousness is given freely to every born-again believer, but Wisdom must be sought after, acquired, and pursued.

Make Wisdom your primary pursuit and you will receive all that God has in store for you!

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The rich person’s wealth is his strong city. Poverty ruins the poor. Proverbs 10:15 (GWT)

Wealth protects the rich; poverty destroys the poor. (GNT)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom protects us just as money protects us… Ecclesiastes 7:12 (GWT)

It is now and has always been the plan of God to provide wealth to His people. Why? Because wealth is a form of protection to those who live on the earth. Those who have money can protect themselves from preventible diseases; have security against most mishaps; and afford insurance in the event of accidents simply by having money.

When one takes a close look at every covenant the Lord has cut with humanity, it becomes clear that the first manifestation of each is great financial wealth. For example, right after God introduces Himself to Father Abraham in Genesis 12, notice what Genesis 13:2 says: “Abram [Abraham] was very rich because he had livestock, silver, and gold.”

Notice what happens to Isaac when God renews the Abrahamic covenant with him: “Isaac planted crops in that land. In that same year he harvested a hundred times as much as he had planted because the Lord had blessed him. He continued to be successful, becoming very rich.” Genesis 26:12-13 (GWT)

Now, let’s look at what the Word says of Jacob: “As a result, Jacob became very wealthy. He had large flocks, male and female slaves, camels, and donkeys.” Genesis 30:43 (GWT)

You may wonder what the significance of all of this is. When God reintroduced Himself to the Jewish people in Exodus, he referred to Himself as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” That’s because the Eternal God is a covenant keeping God Who never changes. What He did for Abraham and his biological seed, He wants to do for the whole world. Therefore, New Testament disciples are included in the same covenant. “Christ paid the price so that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to all the people of the world through Jesus Christ and we would receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:14 (GWT)

Faith begins where the will of God is known. This is the will of God: that you be both rich and wealthy. Embrace it. Believe it and develop your faith in it. You will not only provide protection for yourself and your family; you will provide it for others in the world around you!

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Stop being gullible and live. Start traveling the road to understanding. Proverbs 9:6 (GWT)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom brings life. But, the life He brings is never forced on anyone. Each one of us must make a conscious and deliberate decision to embrace Godly knowledge and understanding. Life is more than just maintaining homeostasis or biological functions. It’s living out one’s destiny and enjoying the richness of God’s love.

God through Christ has done everything He can and will do to distribute life to humanity. It’s up to us to stop being gullible (existing without Wisdom) and to start traveling the road to understanding in everything Godly. Then, and only then, can we truly live.

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Words of wisdom are a stream that flows from a deep fountain. Proverbs 18:4 (CEV)

Pastor’s Commentary:

Wisdom is a spiritual, not intellectual force. It is deeply rooted in the Spirit of God; therefore, once we’re born again, it is rooted deep within us. How do we tap into the deep Wisdom of the Creator? Well, there are several ways, but the most effect way for the New Testament believer is to pray in the spirit.

The Apostle Paul said, “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2 (NASB). The word “mysteries” can be translated as hidden things. Now, let’s examine two other verses in 1st Corinthians:

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.” 2:7 (NKJV)

“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” 2:10 (NKJV)

When we pray in the spirit, the Holy Spirit, Who searches all the deep things of God, reveals those deep and hidden things to us. In other words, He reveals the Wisdom of God to us. He makes clear the plans and purposes of God for our lives and the entire world, which were hidden for us, not from us before the ages. When we pray in the spirit, these words of wisdom become a stream that flows from a deep fountain: our born again spirits. We can always know what to do and when to do it.

Make time today to tap into the deep Wisdom of God. Pray in the spirit!

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