Tag Archive | wisdom

Three Days

Jan30

Three days

It was three days from My death to the moment I arose, just three days. Three very long days, but just three days.

“–and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and deliver him to the Gentiles; and they will mock him, and spit upon him, and scourge him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:33-34

Some of you feel that your life will never be any better, that it will never change enough to satisfy. I hear you say that ‘this is the way it has been and it will never change.’ Despair has settled in and you have settled.

Three days.

That is all the time it took for Me to overcome Hell and the grave–to arise in Power and Victory! I took death and removed its sting that death not have any power over you that believe.

I defeated the grave that it may not hold you.

“The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘O Lord, I beseech thee, save my life!” Psalms 116:3-4

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalms 116:5-7

I wiped away fear, captured every tear; announcing to the Father that you are mine. Will you then remove the grave clothes? They don’t belong to you, if you belong to Me.

You see I wrought for you Victory.

For you to wallow in despair; not taking your place, nor receiving My Grace–it is a total waste of three days–given for you that you not have to waste–three days.

You have victory now!

So, are you ready? Get Set–

One, Two, Three–GO!

“For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.'” Psalms 116:8-10

“‘O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:55-58

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

 

 

Win What You’ve Won

Jan23

When you are striving to reach a goal, how you arrive is irrelevant to the goal, but it is relevant to Me. I AM concerned with how you make your way through life. It isn’t necessarily on the goal that our focus should be, for the end will surely come, just wait you’ll see, but on how the race was won.

  • Was it fair?
  • Did you care?
  • Did you run it with Me?
  • Did you run it with glee?

I AM your prize.

How you live your life is what’s important to Me. You see, you’ve already won. You’ve already won your place in My Heart; that was determined right from the start, long before you were born.

  • But did you give?
  • Did you truly live, or did you wander aimlessly?

I planted in your heart secrets, have you found them yet? They are My plans for you to see your life through. But they are not written down for all to see. You will find them written in your heart, just for you and Me.

Do you see?

They call to you quietly, remind you to come and find the plans I’ve had in mind for you–even before you were born. Find them and win what you’ve won.

Begin what you haven’t yet begun.

“That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.” Ecclesiastes 3:15

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:3-6

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me, and said to me, ‘Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live; do not forget, and do not turn away, from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom; get insight. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this; Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.'” Proverbs 4:3-9

“I have seen the business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man’s mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; also that it is God’s gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil.

I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has made it so, in order that men should fear before him.” Ecclesiastes 3:10-14

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” II Corinthians 2:14

 

 

With Your Whole Heart

Jan19

Locate your heart.

Now, locate your mind.

Are the two in sync? Your mind should not run ahead of your heart, for your heart should give your mind charge. Likewise, if your mind is in conflict with your heart, then you are living out of your intelligence or emotions, rather than your spirit.

It is possible for your emotions to rule your mind if your spirit is not strong. Just as it is possible for your heart to lead without intelligent thought or for your intelligence to rule without a heart of compassion. All are examples of a man incomplete, for body, mind and spirit are not in sync.

I made you whole.

A complete man will take a stand against anything less than that–wholeness; the balance of peace in the inner man. There is quietness for your soul when you are whole.

Begin by locating your heart.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6

“–know the God of your father, and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” I Chronicles 28:9

“I  appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hid with Christ in God,. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18

“As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7

 

 

Did We Pray?

Jan18

Gather together what you need and we will proceed into this day. This day that seems like any other day, but something is missing–

We didn’t pray.

You see when you pray, I AM praying with you. I AM the Door that opens the Way to the Father. Your Father hears your prayers when you pray through Me–pray in My Name.

“So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.'” John 10:7-9

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.'” John 14:6

“–Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23-24

Learn to pray as you begin each day–

for you know not what your day will bring. But I AM the light that brightens your day, lifting the burdens along the way.

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Many things hidden seem not to impress, but later become mountains when you’re under duress. Prayer roots out the smallest factor that could hinder the day–

you didn’t stop to pray.

“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:15

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving–” Colossians 4:2a

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18:1

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14

For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19-20

 

 

Dig A New Well

Jan15

When the enemy fills your well and stops it up, it is not for you to argue with your enemy, rather, it is time to dig a new well.

Buckle down and dig deeper.

If the enemy was able to cause havoc in your life, then there is more for you to know. Study–dig deeper. Dig until fresh water flows. Dig until you know. For he does not have power or authority over you unless you allow or invite him to.

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, ‘Where is your God?'” Psalms 42:1-4

Turn and dig a new well.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 KJV

Dig until truth wells up within you and flows from your heart as living water. Your inner man shall ‘well up’ in truth, wisdom. Overtake the land flowing with milk and honey, it is nourishing to your soul and sweet to taste.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early.” Psalms 46:1-5

  • Speak truth and not lies.
  • Speak life and not foolishness.

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” Proverbs 12:22

So it shall be life to the soul who hears, and life to your ears.

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” Proverbs 10:11

“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.” Proverbs 18:4

Dig a new well. The sweetest, clearest water runs deep.

Use your tools and dig deep.

“And Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the names which his father had given them.

But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of spring water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Issac’s herdsmen, saying, ‘The water is ours.’ So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also; so he called its name Sitnah. And he moved from there and dug another well, and over that they did not quarrel; so he called its name Rehoboth, saying, ‘For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.'”

“From there he went up to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of Abraham your father; fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your descendents for my servant Abraham’s sake. So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.” Genesis 26:18-25

“Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” II Timothy 2:14

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.” James 1:22-25

 

The Missing Truth

Jan8

Much mischief is made with My Word because too many do not take the time to study. Someone hears a statement made and then ‘parrots’ it to another as if it were true.

Is it true?

Did anyone look?

Entire bodies have formed opinions and yet they know nothing about what they speak. They did not seek to know and, too often, halt another just beginning to grow.

Stop.

Find the Truth for yourself. When you know what you have to say–then speak. You are accountable for what you know. But, if you speak when you don’t know, you are accountable. Yes, I will hold you to account. Therefore, seek the Truth, that you may speak the Truth.

“The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:35-37

“Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'” John 8:31-32

Know what you are missing!

“”So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. you hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'” Matthew 15:6-9

“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-30

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by giving heed to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and enjoin abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” I Timothy 4:1-5

Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness.” I Timothy 4:7

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 KJV

“Have nothing to do with stupid, senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” II Timothy 2:23-26

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17 KJV

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:12-13

“But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the forbearance of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” II Peter 3:13-18

 

 

A Moment In Time

Dec31

Time has limited man, but I AM not limited by time. You see, I AM the beginning and I AM the end. My Father knows the time, but you know the season. When you see that the tree is ready, you pick the fruit. If you wait, the fruit will be ‘picked at’ by the birds of the air and ruined or it may fall and become rotten. So it is with man–you must act when you see they are ready, ripe for harvest.

So many are lost because no one was there to speak a word in due season.

“But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.” I Thessalonians 5:1-3

A hungry heart unfed, will fall away unled.

You may only have a moment of opportunity to change a man for a lifetime. A sudden desire to speak a word or do a good deed may be the only prompt you receive to fill a need. Seize the moment before it passes by.

Will you try?

For yours might be the word that turns a broken heart to whole or you may be the catalyst to release a soul, but you’ll never know until you try. Your time is limited, but I AM not, so please don’t limit Me.

I AM the beginning and I AM the end.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:13

I AM the prompt to you, for you to be impromptu.

A truth you can’t deny–it’s time to try!

“Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the wine press is full. The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:13-14

“But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!'” Romans 10:14-15

“Do you not say, ‘there are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.” John 4:35-36

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest'” Matthew 9:37-38

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.'” Matthew 28:18-20

“So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.” Mark 6:12-13

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:14-17

 

 

A Place to Thrive

Dec26

The very least is given a place at My table for it is not a formidable presence I seek, but one who allows Me to ‘speak’ and thrives on My Word. Their every action speaks to Me of hunger for more, and this is how we communicate…

I speak, they seek–we are alive!

Are you alive, or do you expect to thrive at a different time–when things are better? Your time has come. Set aside your list of expectations, your preconceived notions, and realize that My Presence is here–now. That is why it is called ‘the present’.

Now

Behold, now is the day of salvation.

Now I have come.

Partake of Me as if I were food for,

I AM

Without Me you may or may not survive, but you will not thrive. Only those who seek Me diligently know the ‘true’ meaning of that word…

Thrive

It means you are alive, but in its truest sense; for you have found My Word to be–

True!

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!’

And all the angels stood round the throne and round the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple; and  he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence.

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes.'” Revelation 7:9-17

 

 

 

Hands That Serve

Dec22

Cleanse your hands for the coming of the Lord is near.

Cleanse your hands, for it is your hands that serve. And hands that serve, serve to express the heart of the man. There are many ways to serve but, while man looks at the hands, I look on the heart. For the heart does not lie; it is in the heart that truth resides.

I alone am able to judge the heart of man,

For I alone see the truth of the heart.

And I alone am able to produce a heart of truth.

You see, man can give without any thought of kindness behind the act of giving. Man can serve with no desire to serve but, from compulsion, perform what is ‘expected’.

Filthy hands.

Wash your hands by cleansing your heart and, out of a pure heart of love, offer your gift. Of such a heart I will receive. Of such a heart I will be pleased.

Clean Hands–Pure Heart.

You see it’s not about the hands, but a matter of the heart. Serve Me with a pure heart.

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Corinthians 4:1-2

“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors.” James 5:8-9

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.” I Peter 1:22

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.” I Corinthians 4:5

“Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” II Corinthians 9:7-8

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” Psalms 24:3-6

 

Wisdom Is

Dec17

Wisdom is the magnet that draws you close. If you seek Me, I will come to you and, just as a magnet draws, wisdom draws. Just as the two draw together–the closer you come–the stronger the draw becomes. When you come very close, the two lock together as one. It would take your determined force to pull us apart.

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.” Psalms 51:6

Lock in to My Presence

Seek My Wisdom; you have found Me.

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” Proverbs 8:17

Now view that magnet again. When it is turned around as opposing, you cannot make it connect. The closer they become, the more you feel the force opposing. So it is with evil, I cannot draw to it, and evil cannot cling to Me.

“The Lord is a stronghold to him whose way is upright, but destruction to evildoers.” Proverbs 10:29

I have no connection with the devil,

and he has no attachment to Me.

Do you see now that I AM not the author, creator, of anything evil in your life? All that clings to Me is good. All that I AM is good! Cling to Me and you shall find, then, that you are wise for…

I AM

“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.'” I Corinthians 1:28-31

“–Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is vain that the scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the Spirit which he has made to dwell in us’? But he gives more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God and he will draw near to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:4-8a

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.–” Proverbs 2:6-10

“And now, my sons, listen to me; happy are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:32-36