Tag: wisdom

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Wisdom Prayer

Work the Land!

Work the Land!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who work the land. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In rural America, young people can get involved in Future Farmers of America (FFA). Others take part in 4H Clubs (Head-Heart-Hands-Health). These programs prepare young people for future study and careers in agribusiness.

Farming practices are so different than they were in ancient times, but what King Solomon says in Proverbs 28:19 (ESV) about one who takes seriously working his land also applies today.

“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.”

Don’t waste time. Avoid being distracted by get-rich-quick schemes.
For those who work the land, don’t neglect the day-to-day responsibility associated with getting the work done.

Work the land and have plenty of bread instead of ending up poor.

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Wisdom Prayer

Don’t Harden Your Heart!

Don’t Harden Your Heart!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who will not allow their hearts to be hardened. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Those who stand against God, like Pharaoh, can find their heart hardened.

Opposition to God becomes a force of its own.

Proverbs 28:14 (ESV) shows the difference between those who fear God and a hardened heart.

“Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”

The choice is clear: be blessed or face calamity.

Yet, those with hardened hearts will keep acting and believing they are right to their own detriment.

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Wisdom Prayer

Confess and Forsake Sin!

Confess and Forsake Sin!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who confess their sins and turn from their evil ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Some people live life while their sins go unconfessed. Trying to hide transgressions can become all-consuming.

Why not consider the alternative as it is outlined in Proverbs 28:13 (ESV).

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

Why not chose confession., for it says in 1 John 1:9 (ESV),

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

You can be free through faith. It says in John 8:31-32 (ESV),

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

Free yourself from the slavery of unconfessed sin.

Abide in Jesus, and the truth will set you free.

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Wisdom Prayer

Seek Understanding!

Seek Understanding!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who have understanding, so they can be even more discerning. In Jesus’ name, amen.

There is an interesting juxtaposition in Proverbs 28:11 (ESV).

One man is rich and claims to be wise. Another man is poor and has understanding. Who has the advantage between these two?

Logic would seem to say the rich man who claims to be wise would have the upper hand. But King Solomon puts things into perspective.

“A rich man is wise in his own eyes,
but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.”

It seems the man with money who claims to be wise is no match for the poor person with understanding.

Don’t be deceived by what might seem obvious. Do you seek true wisdom, or are you wise in your own eyes? Believers can develop true wisdom and understanding by reading Scripture and listening to the Holy Spirit.

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Wisdom Prayer

Examine the Heart!

Examine the Heart!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who examine their own heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

King David wrote in Psalm 51:10 (ESV),

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Imagine taking a drink from a small pool of water and seeing your own reflection. The likeness in the water should look like you.

Solomon in his wisdom, in Proverbs 27:19 (ESV) compares the face looking at the face in the water to the heart of a man.

“As in water face reflects face,
so the heart of man reflects the man.”

Do you have a clean heart, or do you have a deep, dark secret?

Be like David. Ask God to give you forgiveness.

Have a clean heart, so you can reflect a clean heart.

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Wisdom Prayer

Iron Sharpens Iron!

Iron Sharpens Iron!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know that iron sharpens iron and the importance of support from like-minded brothers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Decades ago, when the Promise Keepers Movement was first beginning, I went to an event at Dodger Stadium. The first night, I could not locate any of my friends from church. The next day, I did connect with my friends.

The night I was alone, I took time to reflect on all Christ was doing with the men in the stadium. It was dynamic to think there were that many active believers from all over southern California in one place.

The next day, I had a greater feeling of personal accountability when I was among friends.

Fellowship with other men was a key ingredient of what made Promise Keepers so dynamic.

Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) was quoted often during that era.

“Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.”

Are you in fellowship with other believers?

If not, seek out a few faithful men. Ask them to join with you as accountability partners. Sharpen each other with God’s holy and inspired word.

Keep the faith.

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