Be Wise!

Need Wisdom? Ask God for It.

Since I’m often unsure which option to choose, I turn to this verse again and again:

One recent morning, I reread that verse and then wrote these words  in my journal: 

If I need wisdom--and I do!--I can ASK God for it. Just come right out and ask Him. He's always generous; and, as the Bible says in other passages,* He  gives good gifts to His children. In fact, I think we honor Him when we seek His counsel. Seeking His thoughts on a matter indicates that we believe He will help us by giving us counsel that is "spot on."

If we turn quickly and often to Him, we won't worry nearly as much. We can go confidently through life, facing each challenge that confronts us because we believe He will gladly and generously give us the wisdom we need. We simply ask in faith and then wait--all senses open--to receive His counsel and then set about doing what He tells us to do.

*Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; James 1:17

Never Give Up!

Dr. Jane Goodall, now 84, recalls the wise counsel her mother gave her many years ago when going to Africa and living with the animals and writing books about them was only a dream in young Jane's heart.

"If you really want to do this thing, you will have to work really hard, take advantage of all opportunities -- but never give up." (p.18, Renew magazine, Spring 2019)

Jane took her mother's advice and, consequently, has done far more than she ever imagined.

You and I will benefit from following Jane's mother's advice and that of the apostle Paul. 

Advice for Graduates

This is the time of year when words of wisdom are being shared with graduates during one-on-one conversations or in ceremonies or on cards sent to the graduates. Out of all the excellent advice that can be gathered from printed and online sources, as well as from life experiences of others, here’s one of the best pieces for the graduates--and everyone else:

My son, fear the LORD and the King, 

and do not join with those who do otherwise. 

Proverbs 24:21, ESV