Tonia Jenkins - Wisdom of the Bible: Inspiration for Everyday Living

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Wisdom of the Bible
Text copyright 2013 Tonia Jenkins

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
eISBN: 978-1-57826-455-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Cover and Interior Design by Carolyn Kasper and Dede Cummings/ DCDESIGN

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W HILE IN THE company of others, it is common to affect an appearance of intelligence and wisdom. It is in our nature to want to make people think that we are smart and wise. And we are often judged by our ability to complete challenges or successfully demonstrate an accomplishment. For this, and other reasons, most people feel that success can be judged by the things we ownthe types of clothes we wear, the car we drive, or the house we live in. But none of these, of themselves, prove success. True success must be determined by the always-present underlying circumstances of a persons life. For, in this materialistic view, a question remains: if a person does not possess anything beyond the bare essentials needed to live, does that make that person unwise?

The truth of wisdom is that it is a gift from God. The God we serve is an all-wise, all-knowing God. Everything that comes from God is pure, and is intended to bring life, joy, peace, and prosperity to all who believe. There are no underlying circumstances here; the only requirement for gaining wisdom is that we desire it. The desire for wisdom, the sense of need, lets us recognize its lack in ourselves. The Scriptures tell us that if we lack wisdom, we need only ask for it and God will give to us liberally. Isnt it amazing; the things that we desire and crave are the very things we seem to search for most diligently and relentlessly? It is no different than our drive to fulfill the desires of our flesh. Whether that desire is for anything from food, to a new pair of shoes, we will search to the ends of the earth to satisfy our hunger.

Sometimes our passions direct us to satisfy the insatiable desiresthe things that can only fulfill us for a moment, the thrill of a single day. Material things will only comfort us temporarily, while causing an increase in our desire for something else, something more satisfying. A life of applied wisdom involves continually affecting ourselves and those around us. The decisions we make in our lives bind our hearts to one another, and to Gods purpose. Not only will it gratify, it will edify; again, both for us, and those around us. The gift of wisdom, as with all God-given gifts, is one best used for the betterment of others. It produces and reproduces everlasting joy. Its purpose is to build, guide, and expand.

Wisdom is like a shelter, a covering, a protective shield, a sanctuary. The gift of wisdom is infinite; it conceals within itself the gifts of peace and truth, and is a refuge from storms and evil. And these are only some ways of understanding wisdom that I have gathered in my life.

The gifts of God are too often misunderstood or mislabeled, while limited examples and false presumptions lead many astray. Each step on my lifes path has led me to face challenge after challenge. It was at these times that looking to God was my hope and inspiration. My devotion to life increased with every challenge. God in Heaven, who is ever only-wise, would not have us be ignorant in life. Look to the Scriptures, and see how willing is God to grant wisdom to those who ask. Just as King Solomon was positioned to rule over nations, God spoke to him and told him to ask for anything he wanted. Can you imagine God speaking to you, saying, Ask what you desire and it shall be given unto you? Wow! It seems only natural that we would ask for all the riches in the land. This desire comes from our imperfect thinking. But Solomon had enough wisdom to seek for more; he desired the gift that only God could grant, that of the true satisfaction of wisdom. To understand, in order that he might lead and guide people, Gods people. To do this one must have the wisdom of God.

So it is with us as parents, teachers, counselors, and so on. We need wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We must seek the wisdom of God, and not the wisdom of man. For we are all building a community, a city, a nation; we are instructing it by our decisions and our actions. The future will pattern itself according to the foundation we make. We must build on the foundation that God has already laid. For there is nothing that is beyond Gods power to give unto us, according to His will. Let us search for the gifts of God that will produce life! For there can be no true happiness from substitution; temporal satisfactions and purposeless gain can never last. Rather, search to increase and preserve the integrity of God.

As you read further, you will learn how to experience the wisdom of God in various aspects of your life. I pray you will allow the scriptures and the prayers written here to rest, rule, and abide in your hearts. Apply the Scriptures to your lifes path and live by its principles.

A PRAYER FOR WISDOM

Lord, we thank You for Your wisdom. We thank You that You have not left us without understanding. In times past, we have expressed disobedience by denying Your ways. We pray that each person reading this book and its passages will receive the truth in Your word and allow their hearts to be comforted in Your words. Guide us and lead us all to truth. Help us to never lean on our own understanding. Help us to trust in You, that You will direct our paths. Allow this book to be a companion to Your scriptures. May Your blessings be upon all who read this book. Amen.

Chapter 1

T HE W ISDOM OF G OD

O NE MUST UNDERSTAND that the wisdom of God is based on the Biblical principles. These principles were taught by Christ. Gods wisdom tells that those who follow His word are given the tools necessary to recognize His teachings and live their lives based on Gods truth. By living wisely and righteously, we act as an example to others, in order to justify and exemplify that this is the right and reasonable way to live.

In following the wisdom of God, we see revealed the true dishonesty of false accusations. As it says in Scripture, when we lead a life according to Christ, the falsehoods of life, and of its empty pleasures, cannot affect us. Avoiding evil and selfish gain is the way to live ones life according to Gods wisdom. The unwisethose who do not follow the word of Godtend toward gluttony and other temporary satisfactions. It is important to understand that seeking to live a life of prosperity and gain is not inherently wrong. It is what we choose to