Wisdom Is a Gift
By Rick Warren
“In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3 GNT).
How do you get wisdom? Do you just decide one day that you’re going to muster up the wisdom you need? Do you make a New Year’s resolution to be wise? No!
This is the difference between knowledge and wisdom: Knowledge comes from education. Wisdom comes from God. To get knowledge, you look around. To get wisdom, you look up.
Knowledge comes from reason. Wisdom comes from revelation. Knowledge is something you learn. Wisdom is a gift.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God” (NIV). Wisdom is a gift from God. And he is a generous God. He loves to give gifts to his children. All you have to do is ask!
The Bible says in Colossians 2:2-3,“In this way they will know God’s secret, which is Christ himself. He is the key that opens all the hidden treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge” (GNT).It’s all wrapped up in a person, Jesus Christ. If you want God’s wisdom, you need to get Jesus in your life. You need to invite him into your life and say, “Jesus, help people through my hands. Love people with my heart. And put your wisdom in my mind.”
Where do you need wisdom? In your marriage? With your kids? At work? In how you relate to people? The first step is to accept salvation through Jesus Christ and invite him into your life. Then, day by day, you continually ask him for wisdom, you make reading God’s Word a priority, and you stay in fellowship with other Christians. Why? Because as iron sharpens iron, a wise friend sharpens another friend. People are wise by the company they keep.
Will you pray this prayer today?
“Lord, I need your wisdom in my relationships. Help me not to compromise my integrity in relationships. Help me not to antagonize people’s anger. Help me not to say or do things just to get even. Help me not to minimize other people’s feelings but to respect them, whether or not I agree with them. Help me to not be defensive and criticize other people’s suggestions but to be reasonable and willing to discuss things.
“Help me not to emphasize other people’s mistakes but to show mercy, because I need mercy, too. Help me not to nag others about their past or things that are behind us. Help me not to disguise my weaknesses. I want to learn to be open and honest instead. Lord, please give me your wisdom, and work in and through me every day to make wise decisions in how I relate to other people. Amen.”
And if you don’t have a relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray this prayer:
“Dear Jesus Christ, I don’t understand it all, but there’s a hole in my heart that I realize only you can fill. I recognize that I was made to be loved by you and to have a relationship with you. Today I want to step across the line and establish that relationship. I ask you to come into my life and my heart. I want to become a part of your family, the church. I want to give my life to helping others who need you and showing them your love. I want to live a life of wisdom, and I know I can only do that with you at the center of my life. Thank you for your gift of salvation and for loving me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you, and you’ve taken the first step in the Christian life. Please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.
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Daily Hope 2018 Prayer Journal
Learn how to pray prayers that expect answers!
Do you sometimes struggle with how to talk and listen to God? The good news is he longs to hear your prayers, whether it’s a bold cry or a whisper. And your words don’t need to be perfect. He delights in you when you come before him—in thanksgiving and petition.
Jesus says in John 15:7 . . .
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
So the key to praying with hope and expectation is abiding in Christ—and we want to help you do that with the all-new Daily Hope Prayer Journal. Your faith will be strengthened and you will be blessed as you look back on your written prayers and see how God has faithfully answered them.
It has a soft cork-like cover on the outside, while inside you’ll find . . .
• Bible verses and suggestions to help you pray for specific people and situations
• Practical encouragement for your prayer life from Pastor Rick
• Plenty of space to write out your prayer requests and how God answers them
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.