Wisdom Cries Aloud

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:20‭, ‬23 ESV

It may appear that at times making the right choices is difficult.  Nevertheless, wisdom is crying out to those that will listen.  She speaks from the streets of everyday life and from the spirit within the heart.  You will find her in the Word of God.  She will be found by those that diligently seek her.

Dig Deeper: The Quest for Today.

Power Quotes:

"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom." --Charles Spurgeon

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. -James 1:5

"Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk." --Doug Larson

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." --Stephen R. Covey

Illustration:

There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge."

Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" 

"Knowledge, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile. 

Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again. 

"Wisdom," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise Socrates." 

Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?" 

Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Knowledge, O wise and wonderful..." 

Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?" 

"Air!" the young man screeched. "I need air!"

 "When you want knowledge as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge." 

Source: M. Littleton, Moody Monthly, June 1989, p. 29. as found on Sermon Illustrations.

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Eight Time Thieves

Eight Time Thieves

One commodity of which we have a limit supply is time.  There are a number of Bible verses admonishing us to use our time wisely; but most of us let what time we have here on earth slip away from us.  We allow time thieves to steal our time away. We have identified eight of those time-thieves below with the hope that we can help you guard again these bandits. 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15 NKJV

Time Thieves

1. Trying to change the past

Trying to undo what is already done is a bandit that eats lots of our time and can rob us of our future.  You cannot change the past.  If you have wronged someone or sinned against God, then seek forgiveness and move on. 

Philippians 3:13-15 (NKJV)
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

2. Trying to escape the present

Trying to escape the present

Sometimes the affairs of the present day and/or the future are so overwhelming that we seek to just blank-out.  We fill our day with unproductive activities like watching television or reading novels so that we do not need to face the daily obligations of responsibilities.  Therefore, we waste time.  For some this can be one of the signs of serious depression; but for most of us, it is a sign of a need to refocus on the hope and blessings that are awaiting us in the adventure of life. Don’t let the thief of the present steal your valuable time.

 Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

3. Dreaming away the future

Everyone knows a dreamer that is always dreaming big dreams but never acts on them.  Perhaps, we all have a little bit of that dreamer in ourselves.  Of course, there is always an excuse for never initiating the dream. Hours or even days are lost in dreaming.   A person can dream their future away; and time lost in fantasizing can never be found.

Proverbs 22:13 (NKJV)
The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”

4. Worrying 

Worry is perhaps the greatest cat burglar of all time.  Anxiety sneaks into the mind and causes us to spend needless time worrying about things that never come to pass.  Some say that ninety percent of what we worry over never amounts to anything.  

Matthew 6:25-36 (NKJV)
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

5. Procrastination

Generally speaking, we tend to put those things off that we do not like doing or are fearful of doing.  Here is where procrastination becomes a time thief.  First, we spend more time finding excuses for not doing it than if we had just done it!   Plus! What is often the case; the job we have put off becomes more difficult and takes more of our time and money to remedy. 

Ecclesiastes 11:-4 (NKJV)
He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

6. Punishing Yourself

Have you noticed how much time people spend on beating themselves up for a mistake?  It’s often more time than it takes to correct the mistake.  Take this example: John installed a storm door only to discover he had it swinging the wrong directions.  John was so upset over his error that he spent the next three hours sulking in angry.  Three hours of wasted time and energy. 

This time crook (Punishing Yourself) delights in stealing time from Christians.  Many Christians have wasted a ton of time by being reluctant to serve God because of past sins.  Don’t lose another moment of time.  If you have sought forgiveness, then you have found forgiveness.  Move on!

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

7. Pleasing Others and/or Seeking Approval/Praise from Others

Living your life for others can be very exhausting and time consuming.  While it is natural to want to do nice things for people you love, pleasing others can become compulsive.  If you self-worth is based on the approval of others, there is a good chance most of your time will be spent unproductively.

Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

8. Never Leaving the Starting Gate

A race horse will never win a race if it doesn’t leave the gate.  The best way to make the best of the time the Lord has given you is to live it!  

2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)
So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Everyone you meet today...

Take the good and leave the bad. 

Everyone you meet today will have something to share with you -- something they will teach you either by words or actions. Only absorb those things that are good and shun those that are bad. Model only the good and choose to leave the bad.


Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1Timothy 4:12)

May we suggest For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom!

Inspiration at its finest!

Take a peek inside!

Know Your Bible!

Know your Bible! There is no better instruction book on the market. It will address the issues of the heart and therefore the issues of life. It will guide you in the right way and will always give you the truth. It tells the most important story every recorded in history and shares the deepest love ever shared. Read it often. Follow @pastorbarr

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Psalm 119:9 

Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

If you enjoy Daily Wisdom  Tidbits, you will love Pastor Jim's book: For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom.  

For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom is a collection of meaningful and powerful reflections from real life experiences coupled with practical biblical wisdom. Going beyond the normal inspirational book, For His Glory unveils a kaleidoscope of commonsense precepts that challenges the reader to discover the wonders of living for God's glory. Eye-opening, life changing and easy to understand, For His Glory will enrich your life.

Seek Counsel

To believe one does not need counsel is great pride. —Basil the Great

No one has a handle on everything! Before making major decisions in any area of life seek the counsel of those that have knowledge in that area.  Don’t seek counsel from a brain surgeon to fix your car or from a mechanic about a brain tumor. Likewise do not seek spiritual guidance from someone that is not walking with the Lord. And! Always remember that the true expert in every area of your life is the Lord. Always seek his counsel!

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors. (Proverbs 24:6)

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. (Proverbs 21:30)

Rules for a Successful Day!

The first rule of the day: Greet each day with prayer. 
The second rule of the day: Greet each day with prayer.

Check Out Today's Prayer

"The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." -E. M. Bounds


Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. -Jeremiah 33:3

Why Should I Read the Bible Through?

By now many of you know that I have really been pushing people to read through the Bible. There is some reason to this madness! I cannot, in good faith, publish a blog titled Daily Wisdom Tidbit without acknowledging who is the true wisdom, Jesus Christ; and where you can find him.

The real blogger of wisdom is Jesus and the name of his blog is the Bible.

The little poem below sums up why you should read through the Bible J.B.

When I Read the Bible Through
by Amos R. Wells

I supposed I knew my Bible
    Reading piecemeal, hit and miss,
Now a bit of John or Matthew,
    Now a snatch of Genesis,
Certain chapters of Isaiah
    Certain Psalms (the twenty-third);
Twelfth of Romans, First of Proverbs
    Yes, I thought I knew the Word;
But I found that thorough reading
    Was a different thing to do,
And the way was unfamiliar
    When I read the Bible through.

Oh, the massive, mighty volume!
    Oh, the treasures manifold!
Oh, the beauty of the wisdom
    And the grace it proved to hold!
As the story of the Hebrews
    Swept in majesty along,
As it leaped in waves prophetic,
    As it burst to sacred song,
As it gleamed with Christly omens,
    The Old Testament was new,
Strong with cumulative power,
    When I read the Bible through.

Ah! Imperial Jeremiah,
    With his keen, coruscant mind;
And the blunt old Nehemiah,
    And Ezekiel refined!
Newly came the song idyllic,
    And the tragedy of Job;
Deuteronomy, the regal,
    To a towering mountain grew,
With its comrade peaks around it
    When I read the Bible through.

What a radiant procession
    As the pages rise and fall,
James the sturdy, John the tender
    Oh, the myriad-minded Paul!
Vast apocalyptic glories
    Wheel and thunder, flash and flame,
While the church triumphant raises
    One incomparable name.
Ah, the story of the Saviour
    Never glows supremely true
Till you read it whole and swiftly,
    Till you read the Bible through.

You who like to play at Bible,
    Dip and dabble, here and there,
Just before you kneel, aweary,
    And yawn thro' a hurried prayer;
You who treat the Crown of Writings
    As you treat no other book
Just a paragraph disjointed,
    Just a crude, impatient look
Try a worthier procedure,
    Try a broad and steady view;
You will kneel in very rapture
    When you read the Bible through.

Give yourself a gift of encouragement and inspiration or give a friend a gift of encouragement and wisdom. Check out For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom and take a peek inside. Also available for Kindle! 

The Quest Today!

Today’s mission is to seek wisdom. 

Wisdom is more than just knowledge. Wisdom – godly wisdom is finding the truth and using that knowledge to making right choices. 

Wisdom begins with an awe of God that turns into trust and worship. True worship results in obedience and obedience results in right choices. 

Some say wisdom cannot be found. However the Bible says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). The quest of today and everyday is to seek wisdom.


Want to grow in the knowledge and truth of the Lord? May we suggest our eBook, For His Glory: 31 Daily Meditation. Designed to draw you closer to the Lord, this eBook is affordable ($1.49) and can be downloaded to your tablet or PC with the free Kindle App. Take a moment and check it out or download a sample by Clicking Here. 

No Backseat Driver Needed!

Jesus Needs No Backseat Drivers!

The wisest decision you can make is to invite Jesus into your life. Wiser yet is to allow him to take the driver sit and guide you down life’s road. If you choose to hand the controls over to Jesus, then know he doesn't need a backseat driver. This is especial true when he takes you down rough roads or in directions you especially do not like. When you go on high smooth roads, enjoy the ride. When you travel the low rough routes hang on tight, he will guide you through. Remember, Jesus does not need a backseat driver. He really is an excellent driver!

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Find a wealth of wisdom presented in an easy to understand style in Pastor Jim's book For His Glory: A Kaleidoscope of Wisdom. 

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Your Gut Is Not Inspired.

Your gut is not inspired. Feelings can be and often are deceiving.  It is much better to listen to God the Holy Spirit as He speaks and directs you from scripture. Solomon sought wisdom and God granted him his wish. It wasn't until he turned from God and listened to feelings and others that he found himself in trouble. 

Wisdom, true wisdom, is found in His Word and not in your gut. Let let the Holy Spirit guide you from the word of God and not a gut feeling. Follow @pastorbarr

Rushing Feet Make Mistakes*

Look before you leap. Many a rash choice has caused many to fall. Get as many facts as you can and weight you choices with biblical values before making a choice. 

Nevertheless, take care because indecision becomes decision with time and every risk is a leap of faith.

Ignorant desire isn’t good; rushing feet make mistakes. Proverbs 19:2 CEB

Let the wisdom of Saints of old help you draw close to the Lord with For His Glory: 31 Daily Meditations. This affordable eBook (Only $1.49) will enlighten your devotional time. Check it out and take a peek inside!

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Twain Wisdom

"It's not the hard-to-understand things in Scripture that make me tremble. Rather, it's those things I do understand." -Mark Twain