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    • Where do you turn for wisdom?

      Posted at 9:00 am by sneuhofer, on August 9, 2018

      1 Corinthians 2: 6 – 9 (MSG) “We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God’s wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don’t find it lying around on the surface. It’s not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven’t a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn’t have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you.”

      Godly wisdom is so much different from the wisdom of this world. At the beginning of our walk with Christ, we approach Him all battered and bruised by consequences of the sin that has entangled us for years. We learn about Christ and His Word and begin building a solid foundation on which to stand. As we continue to grow in our walk, God begins to chip off pieces of us that are not like Him because He wants us to be more like Him and less like the world around us.

      As we grow in Christ, we begin to turn more to the Word than the world for answers to tough questions. Have you ever noticed that God’s wisdom is not the most popular and often completely ignored by the world around us? Have you ever scratching your head and wondered why current circumstances have to be like they are? Worldly wisdom says: “Why God? Don’t you care about what I’m going through or how I feel? You don’t really want me to live like this do you?”

      The answer is YES – God does care about us more than we even realize. He has a plan and a purpose for our lives and He will bring good out of the bad circumstances if we let him. (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11)

      God’s word is clear. Sometimes we are placed in situations that make us downright uncomfortable. Instead of pulling away from Him, we need to draw closer and rely on His guidance. When we live obediently to His word, our lives bring Him glory. I can’t help but think of the lyrics to the Casting Crowns song The Voice of Truth.

      “But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
      the Voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
      and the Voice of truth says “this is for My glory”
      Out of all the voices calling out to me
      I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth”
      When God calls us to something, we don’t have to be afraid or question why. We just have to listen closely and believe His voice. Current circumstances could be God’s way of revealing His glory.
      How do I hear His voice in the middle of all the chaos? One way is to be in consistent communication with Him. Set aside time daily to pray and read His word. Jot down what you believe He is saying to you and then pray and ask for His guiding hand. Speaking of guiding hands, another Casting Crowns song comes to mind:
      “Can’t live by what I feel
      But by the Truth your work reveals,
      I’m not holding on to you
      But you’re holding on to me,
      You’re holding on to me.”
      We can’t live by what we feel is the best direction for us – that is worldly wisdom and will surely lead us down the wrong path. As Christians we are called to live according to the standard of His Word. Remember, He is holding on to you and will not let go no matter what.

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      Posted in God cares for us, wisdom | 0 Comments
    • My search for Wisdom

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on June 27, 2018

      Reading through the words of Proverbs 7 this morning and in the first few verses I was reminded of how important it is to memorize God’s word. In this particular chapter, Solomon writes about wisdom guarding us from immorality but it was the very first verse that I was reminded of how many times I had read “keep my word” and “keep my commandments and live” throughout the Bible.

      I quickly asked myself a question “Why are doing these things so important?” My immediate response had a 3-part answer.

      1.    So that I may know the truth of God’s word.
      2.    So that I can be strong and trust in the Lord during times of temptation.
      3.    So that I may know the very characteristics of God and grow in wisdom.

      By reading the Bible, I have learned that God is the true source of all wisdom. There have been so many times in my life where I’ve completely stepped off of the path God has for me and taken roads I know shouldn’t have gone down. Those roads always left me completely empty. My lack of wisdom led me to follow the ways of the world. I didn’t have the word of God living inside me to guide me at all.

      This world looks to other sources such as philosophers, gurus, fortune tellers, political leaders, the stars – both celebrities and the ones in the sky, even tea leaves to give them direction for living. This way doesn’t lead to life or wisdom. It the end, it only leads to ruin and brings eternal death.

      Wisdom is found only in God. Through the reading of his word, the Bible, and learning to obey the commands found there. Furthermore, it gives us examples of what we should and shouldn’t do. I’ve heard many people say that the Bible is an out dated rule book and isn’t relevant to today at all. I would strongly disagree. It’s our personal road map pointing out safe routes and obstacles to avoid on the journey to our eternal destination. It provides encouragement, hope, security, and is the ultimate reminder of how valuable we are to God. God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us so much that he sent his one and only son to die a brutal death so that we could spend eternity with him. To me, the Bible is a love letter not a set of rules to follow.

      The rewards of finding wisdom are great. I like the way the Message paraphrases Proverbs 2:1-6. This passage encourages me to understand that the more I search for wisdom, the more I will know God and know his plans for my life.

      Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding. That’s right—if you make Insight your priority, and won’t take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God. Only the Lord gives wisdom; he gives knowledge and understanding.

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      Posted in Proverbs 7, The Bible, wisdom | 1 Comment
    • Are your eyes glued on wisdom?

      Posted at 7:00 am by sneuhofer, on January 17, 2018

      When you have tough questions where do you turn for advice? Proverbs 17:24 says “Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.” (NLT) This verse tells me that when I have a tough question or need advice on something, I should look for wisdom. Looking for wisdom can be found by reading God’s word, prayer and by seeking the advice of a trusted advisor (a more mature Christian) or a trusted friend.

      There were times in my life when I went seeking for answers but instead of praying first and asking God to place someone in my life, I sought advice from various friends (Christians and non-Christians). Depending on the subject, you can probably imagine some of the counsel I received. What I’ve learned over time is to seek out the advice of a trusted friend. Trusted friends are the people in your life who have been where you are and can help you better than anyone else.

      I think God uses our experiences for two reasons. First, He desires to draw us into a deeper more intimate relationship with Him by relying on Him when the going gets tough. Secondly, He uses our experiences to help others who may be going through similar circumstances.

      Want to grow in your faith? Ask a more mature Christian for suggestions on how to draw closer to Christ.

      Want to overcome an addiction? Ask someone who has been there and has begun an entirely new life for themselves.

      God places people in our life for a reason. Allow those people God has placed in your to help you gain wisdom and understanding.

      Related reading: Proverbs 27:17, 1 Samuel 23:16, Ecclesiastes 4:10, Proverbs 13:20

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      Posted in Christian community, Godly friends, trusted advisors, wisdom | 0 Comments
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