Wisdom Matters

Denison Forum
  • 5.0 (5)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Welcome to Wisdom Matters, the chance to reflect on a Bible verse or two each day for the purpose of living and thinking biblically. Wisdom is a gift from God that enables us to know how to filter and use all we learn for God’s higher purpose. I hope you will join me for Wisdom Matters.

  1. 23H AGO

    Do you choose trends or truth?

    It has long been said that if we don’t believe in something, we will fall for anything. That thought has been credited to a lot of people over the years. The Apostle Paul would agree.  Paul often spoke against the philosophies of his day and those who wanted to preach such ideas in the churches. Greek philosophers were considered the eloquent and educated people of the first century. Many of Paul’s letters, as well as John’s, were written to help the early church guard their hearts and minds to remain focused on the truth of the gospel rather than filling their thoughts with popular philosophies.  Human beings have always wanted to believe what is “captivating” even when it isn't true. Sadly, wrong ideas can make people captives of their consequences. Paul told the Colossians to make certain they didn’t allow their lives to be influenced by the empty deceit the world was offering. Paul would write that same message to the church today.  There are some complicated passages in Scripture that have always been difficult to interpret. We have different denominations because intelligent, godly people have disagreed. There is a good measure for biblical truth and cultural trends. If the church has upheld a teaching for thousands of years, then we should continue to uphold that teaching as truth. If a subject isn’t “debated” in Scripture, we shouldn't debate that subject today.  It’s up to us to know God’s word and walk in the truth. Philosophies and empty deceit will always be a battle because they have always been a battle. What is clear is trusting that the word of Christ has always been truth.   Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and the empty words and “human traditions” of the world won't seem as captivating. Believe what the Colossians were taught to believe about Christ and you will live “according to Christ.”

    3 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Do you delight in God’s laws?

    Imagine living in a town where everyone was careful to respect each other and obey every law. A town like that would be a joyful place to live, work, and raise a family. Laws were intended and written for the good of the people. But, even Mayberry needed a sheriff.   The psalmist provided God’s people with the key to living under the law of the Lord. God gave laws for many of the same reasons we have laws today. God’s laws exist because they are for the good of the people. God made certain we would know how to live joyfully blessed lives.  When we understand God’s laws are for our greatest good, we will “delight” in them. When we know what God is able to bless, we can make choices that will be blessed. So, why then do we struggle with God’s laws at times? Why does the world want to disagree with God’s word and choose human ideas instead?  Meditating on God’s word requires a commitment of our time and our tendencies. Does God’s word delight you? Do you hunger for a knowledge of all that God has said? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). Jesus was teaching the same lesson the psalmist taught. A “satisfied” life is full of God’s word.   When we delight in the word of God we will consume it, meditate on its truth, and then be much more likely to obey God’s laws throughout the day. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and you will delight in his laws and be satisfied by his blessings.

    3 min

  3. 2D AGO

    Do you live daily with God’s voice?

    The word of God is his voice. When we worship God in spirit and truth we are ushered into his holy presence. When we want the presence of Christ to dwell in our hearts and minds we seek his word.  I love to have my sons and their families return home for the weekend. Even in the early morning quiet, while everyone is asleep, I am aware of their presence. I don’t have to see them to think about them. I know I can expect to see them come down the stairs and join me. That is the picture that comes to mind when I think of the word dwell. I enjoy the texts and phone calls, but it isn’t the same as those days when they “live” in my house.   Paul encouraged the early church to allow the word of Christ to dwell among them as their source of teaching, encouragement, instruction, correction, and joy-filled worship and praise.   Our Bibles are so much more than information. God’s word is our inspiration to live with thankfulness in our hearts to God. Joshua had a key role in the history of Israel. He would lead God’s people into the promised land. Joshua had been by Moses’ side assisting him. After Moses died, the Lord came to Joshua and told him to prepare to lead his people across the Jordan and into the land of their enemies.  Then the Lord told Joshua how to do the impossible task before him. He said, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.” Allowing the words of God to remain in his thoughts would enable Joshua to walk carefully in obedience to God. Filling his life with God’s word would fill his life with God’s voice.  And Joshua was “prosperous” and experienced “good success.” The Lord’s admonition to Joshua remains our direction today. Just as it was for Joshua, God’s word is our strength, our direction, and our comfort because his word is the Lord’s voice in our lives.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and it will make your way prosperous. Success is walking with his voice and his presence as you meditate on his word.

    4 min

  4. 3D AGO

    Do you choose to speak God’s truth to others?

    Evangelism is never a wrong priority, but it can sometimes be considered a wrong practice. It's difficult to share our faith when people think of it as imposing our ideas on others. Yet, their opinion imposes their ideas on us.  Paul had a good way of taking the complicated and making it clear. He taught Christians that the most important point is not whether an idea is considered popular or even appropriate. Instead, we should be asking, “Is it true?”  Paul said if we want to speak the truth with our neighbor, we first need to put away falsehood. We are all members of the fallen human race. There have always been different opinions of God, but those opinions about God have never altered his preeminence. He is above the thoughts and ideas of men.  We shouldn’t be surprised that evangelism is seen as an imposition by some. Evangelism assumes Christians have biblical truth that our neighbors need to hear. Evangelism assumes that our neighbor who doesn’t believe God’s word needs to believe. That is a confident, even arrogant, position to take in our culture. And the truth is, Jesus told his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, emphasis added).  Evangelism can be complicated in our culture today, which is all the more reason to understand that God’s truth is compelling. A lot of “falsehood” is taught as truth. It’s up to the disciples of Christ to “put away falsehood” and speak the truth.  The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He gives us the truth and love we need and calls us to give his gifts to others. We have neighbors who need the Lord. Let’s love our neighbors as we love ourselves because, truthfully, that’s what Jesus taught us to do.

    3 min

  5. 4D AGO

    Do you choose God’s thoughts as your spiritual truth?

    What are the “spiritual truths” that only a spiritual person can understand?  Sometimes Christians forget that they are “spiritual” beings. We are “born again” when we make Jesus the Lord and Savior of our lives. That is a spiritual truth only a spiritual person can understand. The Apostle Paul told the church in Corinth that his words to them weren’t his best ideas. Rather, they were the perfect ideas the Holy Spirit had taught him.  Faith isn’t just our belief; it's our experience. We interpret God’s truth through God’s Holy Spirit. Who would we be and how would we think if the Spirit of Christ had not entered our lives? Christians often see things differently than non-Christians. Our opinions and values can be very different at times. We should expect that, according to Paul. How can someone without the Spirit of Christ think his thoughts?  We know the Bible is truth because we have been given the spiritual insight and experience to know that. We know God because we have experienced his presence in our lives. The Bible isn’t “human wisdom” because it was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. We know the truth because the Spirit within confirms and agrees with God’s word.  Paul’s words should provide the grace we need for those who argue with biblical truth. Spiritual truth is for those who are spiritual, those who are led by the Spirit of Christ. We should never judge or blame a lost person for having a “lost” opinion. We might have held the same point of view if Jesus hadn’t changed our hearts and minds with his truth.  The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and God applies his truth to our lives through his Holy Spirit. Every day, God’s Spirit authors his thoughts in your heart and mind. We need only discern the spiritual thoughts from our own.

    3 min

  6. 5D AGO

    Do you choose the right judgment of God?

    We have all misjudged people at times, and other times God has provided us with his wise discernment. The Bible tells us not to “judge others,” and then the Apostle John tells us to “judge with right judgment.” What appears to be a contradiction is actually an important distinction.  In Scripture, judging someone or something from a human perspective is different from discerning with God’s wisdom. Human beings make judgment calls every day. Some of those calls turn out well and others don’t. Discernment is born from the wisdom of God; it's a gift given to those who ask for it. “Right judgment” is God’s perspective.  We limit God in our lives when we assume we know what is true. We often judge based on what “appears” to be true or wise. Jonah’s judgment was based on the appearance of truth rather than the perfection of God’s call. Humanly, we all would have booked passage on that ship! Yet, Jonah’s judgment landed him in the belly of the fish until he was able to discern the truth of God in his life.  No committee of Hebrew people would have crossed the Red Sea with walls of water on each side. Joshua was on the committee to decide whether or not they should enter the promised land, and he and Caleb lost the vote. He and Caleb were also the only members of the committee who ever did enter. Later, Joshua led the people to march around Jericho. By all appearances, that wouldn't have been a great military strategy. John the Baptist pointed to his carpenter cousin as the promised Messiah.  Just a brief look at biblical history should tell us that we should never judge a situation or person with limited, human judgment. Right judgment is God’s.  That’s why the Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. We don’t have his discernment, his “right judgment,” until we ask for it and choose to receive it.

    3 min

  7. 6D AGO

    Do you choose to enjoy what God has provided?

    God provides the things we are most likely to “enjoy.” That one thought puts everything we own in a different light. God intends for us to enjoy our lives. We shouldn’t be surprised when we are tempted to want more than we really need. Too many possessions complicate our lives and rob us of our ability to enjoy what God wants for us.  Paul described “the uncertainty of riches.” We buy cars that eventually need repairs. We buy homes that eventually need some remodeling. We buy clothes that go out of style, wear out, or no longer fit. The “stuff” we hope to accumulate in this world is often the source of momentary enjoyment.  God’s word defines the blessings that will bring us the most enjoyment. God “richly provides” us with his joy, his forgiveness, his wisdom, his provision, his healing, and his understanding. There is a tranquility that comes with growing older. Most older people like to enjoy what they have as much or more than they enjoy getting something new. Maybe that is what is meant by the phrase “wisdom comes with age.”  If we were to point to the things in our lives we know God has “richly provided,” we would probably realize that those things are the most important and enjoyable blessings we can name. We don’t “set our hopes” on things that are temporary or only last a moment. Our hopes are set on things with higher, long-lasting value.  The Lord gives us wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Those gifts are provided by God so that we will enjoy them and allow them to give his perspective for everything else we might possess.

    3 min

  8. FEB 24

    Do you choose the Lord as your shepherd?

    It has been said that the key to Psalm 23 is in the first few words, “The Lord is my shepherd.” The promises of the psalm belong to those who have chosen to make God their shepherd.  When the Lord is our shepherd, we know we are safe. He goes ahead of us to “lead us” to a place where he can “restore our souls.” He walks with us so that he can “comfort us” and guide us to stay on, or return to, his right path. He walks behind us so that his “goodness and mercy” will follow us “all the days of our lives.”  Those who make the Lord their shepherd are never without his care and his love. One day, our shepherd will tell us our journey is finished and we have arrived at the kingdom of God. There, we will “dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  One of the best moments of every vacation happens when we arrive home and open our front door. As Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” Our earthly lives are “road trips” full of interesting and important things to see and do. Our earthly lives have one central purpose: we are on our way Home.  Not everything on our journey will be “green pastures.” We sometimes walk through those valleys the psalm describes. Whatever our circumstances might be along the way, we know we are being cared for, guided, and kept safe. One day we will arrive Home, and we will be safely Home forever. God’s house is the promise for every person who chooses to make the Lord their “shepherd.”  The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to those who will say, “The Lord is my shepherd. He is everything I want.”

    3 min
See All (359)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Wisdom Matters, the chance to reflect on a Bible verse or two each day for the purpose of living and thinking biblically. Wisdom is a gift from God that enables us to know how to filter and use all we learn for God’s higher purpose. I hope you will join me for Wisdom Matters.

Information

  • Channel
    Denison Forum
  • Creator
    Foundations with Janet Denison
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    359
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Foundations
  • Show Website
    Wisdom Matters

More From Denison Forum

You Might Also Like