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Wednesday, June 05, 2024

Wisdom Illustrations

Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Wisdom


Devotional Thoughts


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Proverbs 1:2, 7, 20 NLT - 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. ... 7 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. ... 20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.
Proverbs 2:2, 6, 10, 12, 16 NLT - 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. ... 6 For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. ... 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. ... 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. ... 16 Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
Proverbs 3:7, 13-15, 18-19 NLT - 7 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. ... 13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. ... 18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. 19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.
Proverbs 4:5-8 NLT - 5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don't forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.
Proverbs 5:1 NLT - 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.
Proverbs 7:4 NLT - 4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
Proverbs 8:1, 11-12 NLT - 1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! ... 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. 12 "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
Proverbs 9:1, 10-12 NLT - 1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. ... 10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Proverbs 11:2 NLT - 2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 14:6, 33 NLT - 6 A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding. ... 33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
Proverbs 15:33 NLT - 33 Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
Proverbs 16:10, 16 NLT - 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. ... 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
Proverbs 17:24 NLT - 24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 18:4 NLT - 4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
Proverbs 19:8 NLT - 8 To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.
Proverbs 21:30 NLT - 30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.
Proverbs 23:23 NLT - 23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
Proverbs 24:3, 7, 14 NLT - 3 A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. ... 7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools. Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say. ... 14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
Proverbs 28:26 NLT - 26 Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Proverbs 29:3, 15 NLT - 3 The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. ... 15 To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
Proverbs 30:3 NLT - 3 I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.


Wisdom
    The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7)
    To find wisdom, first, find God (Proverbs 2:6–12)
    Wise people accept advice (Proverbs 13:10)
    Wise people boast not in their wisdom but in knowing God (Jeremiah 9:23–24)
    The wise understand God’s ways and follow his guidance (Hosea 14:9)
    Wise people build on the solid foundation of God and his Word (Matthew 7:24–27)
    God’s wisdom is different from the world’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1–16)
    God will give us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5)

Logos Dictionary Themes
God, wisdom of

Scripture declares that God alone is wise and discerning, and that human wisdom is often unable or unwilling to understand his ways. God’s wisdom is expressed in both creation and redemption.

  • God’s wisdom described. Isa 28:29 See also 1Sa 2:3; Ro 16:27
  • God’s wisdom is beyond measure. Ps 147:5 See also Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7; Ro 11:33
  • God’s wisdom is profound. Isa 40:28 See also Job 9:4; 28:12-24; Ps 92:5; Ecc 8:17
  • God’s wisdom is superior to human wisdom. Isa 55:9 See also Job 21:22
  • God’s wisdom exhibited. God’s wisdom in creation Jer 10:12 See also Job 28:25-27; 37:14-16; Ps 104:24; 136:5; Pr 3:19-20; Isa 40:12-14
  • God’s wisdom as an agent in creation. Pr 8:22-31 Wisdom here is given personality, and may refer to the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.
  • God’s wisdom in historical events. Isa 31:2 See also Job 12:13-25; Da 2:20-22
  • God’s wisdom in knowing the human mind. 1Ch 28:9 See also Ps 139:2,4,6
  • Jesus Christ the wisdom of God. 1Co 1:30 See also Isa 9:6; 11:2; 1Co 1:24; Col 2:2-3
  • God’s wisdom in the gospel. 1Co 1:25 See also 1Co 1:18-21; Eph 3:10
  • God gives his wisdom to human beings. Eph 1:17 See also 2Ch 1:11-12; Ezr 7:25; Pr 2:6; Ecc 12:11; Da 2:23; 1Co 2:6-16; Jas 1:5
  • Examples of God’s wisdom. 
  • 1Sa 16:7; 1Ki 3:28; Isa 28:24-29; Lk 11:49

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. Martin Manser.


You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner


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Saturday, December 03, 2022

Promise Illustrations

Teaching Illustrations About Promise

Promises From God
Our Daily Bread, January 1, 1985

A promise from God is a statement we can depend on with absolute confidence. Here are 12 promises for the Christian to claim.
  • God’s presence— “I will never leave thee” (Heb. 13:5)
  • God’s protection—”I am thy shield” (Gen. 15:1)
  • God’s power—”I will strengthen thee” (Isa. 41:10)
  • God’s provision—”I will help thee” (Isa. 41:10)
  • God’s leading—”And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them” (John 10:4)
  • God’s purposes— “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil” (Jer. 29:11)
  • God’s rest—”Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28)
  • God’s cleansing— “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
  • God’s goodness— “No good thing will He withhold from them that work uprightly” (Psalm 84:11)
  • God’s faithfulness—”The Lord will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake” (1 Sam. 12:22)
  • God’s guidance—”The meek will He guide” (Psalm 25:9)
  • God’s wise plan—”All things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28)

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#Scripture
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and [secretly] keep back for yourself some of the proceeds [from the sale] of the land?
Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
James 1:12 Happy the man who doth endure temptation, because, becoming approved, he shall receive the crown of the life, which the Lord did promise to those loving Him.
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Promise/sort/popular
2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Galatians 3:18 (NIV) For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Psalms 106:12 (NIV) Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.
Joshua 21:45 (NIV) Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

You Think About it!
Kevin Rayner




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Saturday, July 28, 2018

THE MONKEY WITH THE WOODEN APPLES

Let Go And Be Happy

If you keep on thinking of all the ways in which Others cheated you, fought with you, degraded you or angered you; Your heart will forever be full of hatred.

Learn to let go. And be happy.

 

The Monkey With The Wooden Apples


 There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.
 He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.
 He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He became so attached to them, that he didn’t even notice his hunger at first.
 A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands. He couldn’t bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he couldn’t relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn’t climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?
 Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it’s fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.
Letting Go Of Wooden Apples
 Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A person carries an image of themselves as “productive” carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, their busyness leaves them tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy. Even their worries are sacred apples – they prove s/he’s “doing everything s/he can.” S/He holds onto them compulsively.
This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even, feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully will God identify us with our Faith and God’s commandments?? Have you obeyed them? but we have always searched after vain pleasures to make us happy , Yet they don’t always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.
How else could the story end?
 The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples.
I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we receive anything. Ask God & He will give you more greater riches.



God Doesn't Want You to Be Happy

There is a story of a young boy who sat down and poured out his heart to God about what he wanted for his future. The boy asked God if he could live in a mansion when he grew up. He also wanted to marry a tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl and have three boys. He was even specific about what he wanted his boys to do when they grew up. He wanted one of them to be a politician, another to be a business man, and one to be a quarterback. He only had one more request, and that was that one day he would climb great mountains and be a great adventurer.

Well, the boy grew up. He ended up hurting his knee in football and could not even climb a tree — let alone a great mountain. He had to live in the city in an apartment for his job. He ended up falling in love and marrying a short, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. He had three lovely daughters. One grew up to be a teacher, one a nurse and one a writer. He lived a good and happy life. It was not until he was an older man that he remembered the prayer he made as child. Looking back on all the things he wanted and did not get, the man became depressed. In his sadness he cried out to God and asked why he didn’t get what he wanted. God simply replied, "Because I wanted you to be happy."

God has promised us that He will give us good gifts (Matthew 7:11). Are you seeing the blessings God has for you? He knows what we need better than we do. Let us put our faith and trust in him.

Kevin



Happy Moments

I took my sons out for a walk at a nearby lake the other day. The weather was perfect for it. The sky was clear, the temperature was warm, the sun was dancing off the waves, and flowers were blooming along the walk path surrounding the water. Couples both young and old were walking along the path enjoying all of this God given beauty. Dozens of people were fishing peacefully along the banks and in boats. Children were running and playing with their dogs. Families were setting up picnic dinners for later. Some people were just sitting in the grass looking blissfully out on the water. I even saw one young woman praying with a joyful smile on her face as she sat under a tree. Never had I seen so many people spending their time so well.

The day after the great teacher and writer Leo Buscaglia died a note was found in his typewriter. It simply said, "Every moment spent in unhappiness is a moment of happiness lost." I for one don’t want to lose any more moments of happiness that I have left in this world. I want to use and enjoy every single one of them. It doesn’t matter if they are spent working, playing, eating, reading, singing, praying, or just walking in the sunshine. I want to spend my time well and fill my life with happy moments. I want to choose love, share joy, and be one with God all day long every single day of my life.

Happiness isn’t something you find. Happiness is something you choose. Happiness is something you live. Life here is both precious and brief. Spend it well. Live it joyously. Don’t waste a second of it on unhappiness. Go to work with a smile on your face. Greet others with love in your heart. Exercise with pleasure. Play with delight. Pray with both peace and joy. Learn from your pain. Grow from your troubles. And always use every moment you are given to choose more love, joy, peace, happiness, and oneness with God.

~~Joseph J. Mazzella

 ===

Am I Happy?

If there is any sadness I make a strong effort to be free of it quickly, otherwise it grows like a vine in the rainy season: by midday I will be confused; by evening a whole jungle of weak, wasteful and negative attitudes will have taken deep roots in my mind. The result equals chaos. Sometimes I reach a stage where the attitude is: "So what if I feel the blues today? It is my life; no one else will be affected".

Firstly, the more I allow myself to experience sorrow, the less time I have available to be happy and contented. It sounds ridiculously obvious, but am I aware of the value of happiness? It is an extremely rare commodity, and the cost goes sky high.

Secondly, is it my life? Yes, I am living it, but am I not a member of a family or a co-worker with others, and am I not part of society? If so, then every movement affects and is affected by those around me.

~~unknown

 

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Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Scars of His Love

"SCARS OF HIS LOVE"

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house was looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.

It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.

The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.

His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs.

And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mommy wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.

But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.

In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. If you have Christ in your life, you have become a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-o-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful.

He did not - and will not - let you go. Time is a very precious gift of God; so precious that it's only given to us moment by moment.

Think about it warmly,
Kevin Rayner
2/14/2001
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