In a time when so many decisions are based on emotion and surface issues, we need to recall that one of God’s greatest gifts to us is wisdom, which He offers in abundance.

This month let’s honor wisdom and commit ourselves to seeking it and using it.

"Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.”

Ecclesiastes 7:11,12

Remaining messages:

Sept. 5 — Panama Canal

Sept. 12 — Jerusalem

Sept. 19 — Bethlehem (Judea & Ohio)

We rejoice with those who have recently confessed their faith in Jesus Christ and were baptized into Him.

Elijah Newman - Aug. 5, while on vacation with the Claibournes.

Bailey Joy & Colton Davis - Aug. 22 at Bethlehem.

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Colossians 1:9-10

• "Wisdom is given us by God's Spirit through God's Word. We cannot ask for the wisdom of God and bypass the inspired Scriptures. He speaks wisdom to us as we read the Bible." (Russel Blowers)
• "If you truly want to be street-smart, get acquainted with the Creator who built the street. If you really want to know how the world works, familiarize yourself with the One who made it." (David Faust)

Proverbs chapter two lays out some important principles concerning wisdom:

• 2:1-5 -- wisdom can be found
• 2:6-8 -- wisdom comes from God
• 2:9-15 -- wisdom protects us
• 2:20-22 -- wisdom gives us a better life

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

Proverbs 9:10

Wisdom is knowing, trusting, and following God. Wisdom is:

• reading the Bible every day.
• attending a Bible class.
• submitting to Jesus.
• following the Bible.
• repenting of our sins.
• trusting in the blood of Jesus.
• accepting God's grace.
• being buried with Christ in baptism.
• living for Jesus.

"Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."

Luke 2:52

• Man who runs in front of car gets tired; man who runs behind car gets exhausted.
• Man who leaps off cliff jumps to conclusion.
• Man who eats prunes gets good run for money.
• Man who stands on toilet is high on pot.
• Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement.

Be Discerning

One of the most incredible blessings of being human is the fact that we were created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-28)

That means that we, as spiritual persons, can have a conscious, personal relationship with our Creator God. It also means we are rational beings with the ability to think, reason, plan and discern.

We have the ability to understand the difference between good and evil, and to choose one or the other following careful consideration.

To discern is to mentally separate a thing from another by careful analysis. It implies critical thinking. Discernment is the opposite of simply believing or accepting everything we hear without really examining it.

Proverbs 14:15 warns, "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps."

In Joshua 9, the Israelites were deceived by another group of people because they accepted lies and did not inquire of the Lord. Their lack of discernment affected them for many years.

As a child I was far too trusting. I believed in people and assumed most of them consistently told the truth. I thought that any person with authority or influence was an honest person with integrity.

But as I grew up in the tumultuous 1960's and spent time in several communist nations in the 1970's I experienced a needed wake-up call. It became clear that many people, leaders, and nations are not only not committed to truth, but rather thrive on deception.

That should not surprise us since Satan is a deceiver and liar (Genesis 3 and John 8). He "masquerades as an angel of light" (II Cor. 11:14). He also readily uses as his tools people who are not committed to God and truth, or who have a certain agenda.

So the book of Proverbs calls us to use wisdom and discernment. God is the only totally reliable source, having perfect wisdom, love, and power. The rest of us can be mistaken, confused, or deliberately dishonest. That includes the media, people in power, and "experts."

Most of us were taught as a child that it is good to ask questions. That's still true. We need to ponder something I recently read:

"Questioning and doubting what's going on these days does not make you 'anti' anything. Nor does it make you a conspiracy theorist. Actually, questioning is and should be, the place of reason. The fact that questioning has become taboo, should in fact, send a chill up everyone's spine."

Truth matters. Not everyone is committed to truth. Let's be discerning. We are made in the image of God.

Scriptures is quite clear. We need each other:

• In large and small gatherings.
• In our joys.
• In our brokenness.
• For wholeness.
• For diversity.
• For support.
• For perspective.
• To stay on track.
• To reach our full potential.
• To accomplish more.