Wisdom In All Things

“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.” – George Bernard Shaw

Shaw's comment on wisdom is important because it rightly integrates the past and the future. In fact, it can't truly be wisdom unless we apply to the future what we have learned by experience to be true. For as it has been said, if we don't learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. 

Having gathered a consensus from professors who have taught at seminaries like Trinity, Dallas, and Moody Bible Institute, we'll see that the path to wisdom involves the essential aspects of studying Scripture, prayer and meditation, seeking wise counsel, character development, community, and practical application.

Read the transcript for The Essentials for Becoming Wise

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Kindness penetrates.

Similar to the way water can find its way into the most hidden, protected places. However, when it comes to kindness, it is not so much that it breaches as it is being absorbed.

Kindness is wanted. Needed. Life-giving.

Nice on the other hand, is temporary and superficial.

Nice is the sizzle. Kindness is the steak.

The Bible doesn’t teach, call, or direct us to be nice. We’re to love one another, be kind to one another–treat others as we would like to be treated.

Read the transcript for No More Mister Nice Guy

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“People have learned to escape Reality very well but too often lose their way back.” — Eugene J. Martin, visual artist

Harry Houdini's escapes were just an illusion, much like our attempt to try and escape reality.

Fortunately for us, as Jon Bloom reminds us, “Jesus has come to set us free from fantasy’s impoverishing enchantment.” Rather than look for the ‘escape button’, we can respond properly when we’re tempted by the lure of the illusion of escaping by remaining grounded in reality.

Read the transcript for Escaping Reality is an Impossible Reality

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No doubt you are familiar with the hymn. Sung the world over, it has ministered to millions. And probably why it resonates so deeply, is that for Horatio Spafford, the author, these lyrics are autobiographical.

Despite the years of tragedy he and his wife had endured, these lyrics are a testament to his faith and trust in God. It is this idea that even in the midst of great loss and sorrow, we can find peace and comfort knowing that God is sovereign and that He cares deeply for His children.

Read the transcript for It is Well with My Soul: Can You Say That?

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Once we get our thoughts right about God, ourselves, and our circumstances, that right thinking leads to right living.

This was something that Peter, in 1 Peter 1:13, was trying to stress by calling a group of Christ followers being persecuted for their faith to do three things: gird their minds, keep sober, and hope–completely–on the grace of God.

Read the transcript for A Mind Ready for Action

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Eleanor Roosevelt said that we should "do one thing every day that scares you."

Sure, I get it. The status quo is not very exciting, and, for different reasons, could possibly even be unhealthy. Life requires (some) risk. After all, "nothing ventured, nothing gained".

Here's something I think we can work with. Risk-taking is a willingness, to take a justifiable risk, given the preferred outcome. There is wisdom in that.   But isn't the point of pursuing wisdom to avoid risk?

Avoid risk? No. Take calculated risks? Yes.

Read the transcript for Does risk-taking need to be risky?

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"We need to orient our lives on the clear statements of Scripture regarding God's will. And here is one: "For freedom Christ has set us free. (from Gal. 5:1)" Christ's will for you is that you enjoy freedom. Where you go to school, what job you do, where you live, etc., are not nearly so crucial as whether you stand fast in freedom." - John Piper

Most crucial, and foundational, is finding freedom in Christ. Piper points us to Galatians 5:1 and the fact that Christ has set us free unlike anyone or anything ever could.  We'll look at what it looks like to be truly free and stay that way.

Read the transcript for Be Free Stay Free

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“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

Are you loving enough, or in a way, that it is even noticeable? Or, at best, is it at a level and consistency that it is what people think of first when they think of you? Not just your friends and family, but total strangers?

That is what John 13:35 is essentially saying. We will be known–as a disciple of Jesus–by our love.

Read the transcript for Are You Known by Your Love?

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We can't become so 'wise' that we are able to avoid all the scary parts of life. Wisdom is the means by which we navigate what God decides to allow--and intends to use--in our lives for our good and His glory.

That includes fear.

Read the transcript for Choosing Faith Over Fear

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Heaven is not just a destination, but a mindset. Of Colossians 3:2 (“set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth”), J. B. Lightfoot, English theologian and Bishop of Durham (1800’s), states that we “must not only seek heaven; [we] must also think heaven.”  As we set our minds on ‘things above’ we are able to put ‘things below’ into the right perspective.

Read the transcript for Keeping Your Mind on Things Above

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