God: Possessor and Giver of Wisdom

I stood amazed this past Sunday. The heart of God was touching people for sure. The ones who raised their hands in affirming their commitment to Jesus – saying “Yes” to Him for the first time, the many who re-committed their lives to the Lord and the 21 people baptized during our Baptism service – amazing! If you were with us, I need not share all the things that took place this past Sunday Night, but if you missed it, let me share a few things (space does not permit for many) and then I will insert my thoughts concerning today’s bible reading and the nuggets I took from God’s word today.

As we prepared to baptize each person I gave a moment for them to share:
One person stated that this was the answer to five years of prayer. That her and her husband were both being baptized and they were committing themselves to God.
Another person shared that they had recently said, “Yes” to Jesus and they were so grateful for God’s presence in their life and all that Lompoc Foursquare Church had meant to them, introducing them to Jesus and now assisting them in their growth.

There were tears of joy and how God never gives up on us and also tears of joy in how God is greater than anything we face.

A few young people commented that their families were great examples to them of the Lord’s love and redeeming power. This brought many tears to the crowd that gathered.
We baptized a wide variety of ages from 10 to 80! Each one was prayed over, blessed and served by our great baptism team and God was touching lives with His love and grace. It was truly a very special time and a glorious day.

These testimonies were given and the public demonstration of baptism, making a huge statement to those guests who gathered – I know lives were impacted. I even saw some first time guests singing and clapping as our worship team led them in worship – a glorious time of worship. God is so good.

His goodness is not just displayed but given to us in so many practical ways. One of those ways is in how He shares His wisdom with us.

SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 13:1,13,14,18; Proverbs 14:12,,23 & 33; Romans 11:33 & 36
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded. The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

Romans 11:33 & 36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

OBSERVATIONS: God is all wise and we are most like Him when we listen to His instructions. When we were small, someone had to teach us that the street was a dangerous place to go, that stoves were hot and that some things were never meant to be eaten. As we learned those lessons, we were “heeding to our father’s (or mother’s) instructions. We were simply saying: “Someone knows more than I do.” When we obey the commands of God, we are saying: “Lord, you know more than I do and I respect that about you.” As we obey there is a reward that comes and we can achieve that no other way. Now some would ignore lessons, teachings, opportunities to change but this only brings them to a spiritual and often even a physical poverty. Much is lost when God is not followed and when lessons are not learned. If you want to be honored – follow wisdom and do the hard work necessary that brings a profit.
Many talk much and do little, but this section in Proverbs reminds us to do much and that talk is cheap. It is wisdom that brings rest and repose to the heart of those who are discerning and if we listen carefully wisdom is speaking – even when we have been foolish.

APPLICATION: May I always be open to God’s wisdom and favor….may I realize the riches of His wisdom and acknowledge God in all I do. By acknowledging God I am making room for Him in every decision and circumstance of my life. Since (as Romans 11 states), “All things come through Him (His design and creation) then we do best to follow our Creators wisdom, heart and purpose.

Where do you need to listen to Him today?

What decisions are you making without His guidance and wisdom?

Where are you not acknowledging God?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you that you are with us and that your wisdom is available – it makes itself known to us. May we have the courage to heed to what you say, what you know and who you are. Bless each one of us with your power, our families and our church, Lompoc Foursquare as we strive to serve you in all things and grow in the grace and knowledge of you and your wisdom.

IN Jesus’ Name, Amen