God bless Facing Mt Kenya.

Meanwhile, as the selfies continue, as the matatu rides continue and as the press briefings gather momentum, as somebody is forgotten somewhere in the Hague, as buses get diverted into mud tracks, tenacious Wanjiku remembers a certain document that promised her milk and honey, yet she continues to cheer on. Above all she continues to pray for she knows where her only help can come from. God bless Facing Mt Kenya.

Inspiring Email from a Brother in Christ

Dear Brother Sammy, In every email I send, it's always my desire to bring out the best in you with prayer and encouraging truth of His Word. That you don't get infected by the garbage satan likes to put in our minds that we end up speaking. When we think of how the power of the tongue that utters words either brings forth life or death (Prov 18:21), may I encourage you to rebuke every toxic thoughts and words that only comes from satan that only speaks death (robs you of Gods Joy and Peace) and replace it by speaking the wonderful healthy Words of Life that comes from Gods Word reserved for you. May you only believe what God says about you by keeping your thoughts on His unmatched love for you. He says that He delights Himself in you (Deut 10:15) and you are valuable because you are worth Him shedding His Blood for you (1 Pet 1:19) which no amount of money in this entire world could have afforded. So when we see how He values you, may you make it a declaration/decree that He will rule your heart and have the riches of His very being (His unmatched Love, His awesome knowledge, His rich wisdom, His mighty power, His Peace that is beyond understanding, His unspeakable Joy) work mightily through you so that you will be able to live for His glory. By His Grace, may you allow Him to only bring out the very best in you that will never bring regret. May all the blessings of God be your portion forever in the wonderful name of Jesus, Amen. The Life and Light of speaking His Word casts away the dark lies of the enemy. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Richard Associate Director Answers2Prayer http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife http://www.answers2prayer.org/ www.helpingcopewithhope.blogspot.com Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? (Exod 15:11)

Traits of a False Prophet

"If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, 'Let us follow other gods' (gods you have not known) 'and let us worship them,' you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you" (Deuteronomy 13:1–5 NIV).

Often, someone who is considered a "true prophet" by some people is simultaneously considered a "false prophet" by others, even within the same ‘religion’ as the "prophet" in question.
False Authority: False prophets always claim to have access to information you can't otherwise access without them. If God had a message for you, don't you think it could be conveyed by a mean other than through a guy with perfect hair, capped teeth and a $5,000 suit or robe WHOM YOU CANT REACH DIRECTLY?

False Hope. Along with this authority, there is some sort of reassurance or certainty offered. But it's always transactional or conditional in nature. Buy tickets to my show, purchase my book, come see me on tour or put your check in the offering plate and I'm make sure you get the hope you're looking for. But that's another thing about this brand of hope: it's always hope for something. But God isn't a vending machine. God doesn't sit back and wait for us to pray hard enough or earnestly enough before giving up the goods. True hope is independent of conditions or circumstances, just like real love doesn't require anything in return. Both simply exist for the sake of themselves. Conditional, contingent hope is really just a wish.

False Perfection: All of the folks who take on these personas (yes, they're playing characters) put on an air of flawlessness that seems kind of grotesque and cartoonish from arms-length. But this is a very necessary part of the formula, because they represent the absence of every problem that you or I seek to escape. They have unique or weird clothing and they are never, ever sad not prone to much smiling. If they just seemed like a regular person, why would we want to emulate their lives?


False Gospel: Your life could be so much better, more meaningful, more complete, if only (fill in the blank). This kind of good news hucksterism, which is hardly the sole purview of Christian preachers, always suggests that all of the imperfections, problems, senses of lack, want, etc, can all go away if you get the formula right. Ultimately all of these schemes are about chasing a fleeting feeling or some nonexistent sense of total fulfillment which simply isn't real. And to suggest that Jesus' primary message was that it's all about you, and that your happiness is what matters most, is a gross distortion of the Gospel.

False Healing: Along these lines, there's a temporary sense of fulfillment that comes from throwing yourself completely into the illusion that this person can give you everything you want or need. There's a rush, not unlike doing drugs, or skydiving or having sex. But just like those things, the good feelings fade and you're still you in the end, with all the same longings, scars and imperfections. Only now, you still have the lingering realization that the thing you tried to heal yourself from all of these woes didn't work. So you're left with trying to chase after the next thing that promises the same kind of healing, or with the knowledge that you've been suckered. And by then, the false prophet has already moved on to the next mark.

A true prophet is a truth-teller, one who sees and names things for what they really are, not for what we want them to be. They're often unpopular for their claims, because they challenge the false constructs of a culture that it tries to use to distract itself from dealing with its real issues. But even if the truths such prophets claim aren't necessary pleasant, they do present an opportunity for liberation: from the illusion that suffering or pain is your fault; from the misconception that the goal of life is personal satisfaction; from the wasted time, energy and money expended on trying to achieve such nonexistent aspirations.

1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Diary Of The Bible (Author Unknown)

Note: This would be funny if it weren't so sadly true.

January 
A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for the first two weeks. They have forgotten me now.

February
Clean up time. I was dusted yesterday and put in my place. My owner did use me for a few minutes last week. He had been in an argument and was looking up some references.

March
I had a busy day the first of the month. My owner was appointed leader of something and used me. I got to go to church services for the first time this year, Easter Sunday.

April
Grandpa visited us. He kept me on his lap for an hour reading 1 Cor 13. He seems to think more of me than he once did.

May
I have a few green stains on my pages. Had some early spring flowers pressed in me.

June
I look like a scrap book. They have stuffed me full of clippings from the newspaper. One of the girls got married.

July
They put me in a suitcase today. I guess we are off on vacation. I wish I could stay at home, as I will have to stay in this thing for a month.

August
Still in the suitcase.

September
Back home again and in my old place. Have a lot of company. Two "True Stories" and four "Funny Books" are on top of me. I wish I could be read as much as they are.

October
They used me a little today. One of them is very sick. Right now I am shined up and in the center of the table. I think the preacher is coming.

November
Back in my old place. Was asked today if I was a scrap book.

December
They are getting ready for Christmas, so I'll be covered under wrapping paper and packages.

Proverbs 8:10-11 (NIV)

"Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her."

Do we see knowledge and instruction in this light? We are dazzled by the sparkle of fame and wealth, and as a result we can’t see the wisdom that stands at the crossroads of our soul. Yet godly wisdom is greater than any earthly wealth, for this kind of knowledge will heal and restore the damage of bad decisions that warp our perceptions. So choose and pursue this kind of instruction, because there is nothing that compares to it…nothing.

~ Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor

Adanma Carol Okoro

If A Woman Knows How To Talk To Her Man...He Will Require Her Presence For A Lifetime. (Mike Murdock)

If A Man knows how to talk to his woman, she will require His presence for a life time too.

Proverbs 15: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

How to Make Your Pastor Happy: An Inside Scoop from 3 John (By Rev. Kerry S. Doyal) [Edited]

Okay, I am going to indulge myself. With October being "Pastor Appreciation Month," I am going to share some ways you can make your pastor happy. To make this a legit as possible, I will use 3 John as my guide.

Lest you think this is a sneaky way to drop hints to the church I am blessed to pastor, let me tell you what they did. These dear souls sent the wife & I away for a restful get away, and took care of our kids while we were gone. Better still, they are generous and kind to us all year, not just in October.

The Beloved Disciple, the Apostle John, one of Jesus' closest Three, takes on a different role in 3 John. Writing as an Elder (Pastor), he tells his dear friend Gaius several things that bring him great joy and sadness as a spiritual leader. Any spiritual leader in your life would be thrilled if these things were true of you.

First, continue in the truth. John wrote Gaius: It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (vs. 3, 4 - NIV).

Talk about a happy pastor! John shared his desire that Gaius would have physical and financial well being (vs. 2), but his joy came from [knowing] that Gaius was staying true to the faith (orthodoxy) and putting shoe leather to it (orthopraxy).

God-honoring beliefs and behavior are two wings of an airplane. Pick which one is optional? Too many act like holding the right doctrines is enough. Forget that they live like moral pigs or never show love for others. They "got saved, baptized and joined the church," what more do you want? See Matthew 7:20-27; James 1:21-2; 2:14-26; 1 John 3:16-20.

John was also joyful that Gaius showed consistent love in his practical acts of kindness towards others (hospitality). "You are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love" (vs. 5, 6).

Traveling teachers needed safe lodging to assist in their ministry. Believers were to open their homes and hearts to them, even if their home was not spotless, fancy or in perfect order. Southern Hospitality is overrated when it is hampered by insecurities that lead to closed doors.

Gaius also made John's day by doing what he could to help spread the gospel. "We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth" (vs. 8). Gaius many not have been a gifted evangelist or teacher, but by sharing his home, he shared in the work of the Gospel. He became a team member.

No one does gospel work alone. Behind every Billy Graham, or pastor are dozens - no - hundreds of silent, faithful workers. By giving, praying, serving each are indispensable co-laborers for the truth. When we give of our time, skills, homes, lives, we are sharing in the work of the gospel.

Here is a backwards way to make your pastor smile: by NOT following the example of your local Diotrepehes. Bluntly stated, do not be an arrogant and rude Church Boss.

"Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. gossiping maliciously about us. he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church" (vs. 9, 10). Talk about Chutzpah!

Families that run churches ruin churches. Strong leaders who dominate eventually desecrate God's holy work. If everything has to meet your approval, I wonder if you meet God's? How many good men are no longer in the ministry because of a distrusting, power hungry control freak?

Conversely, people who are pleasant coworkers with their pastors imitate good and godly examples. "Do not imitate what is evil but what is good" (vs. 11). Since monkeys see and monkeys do, make sure you pick good monkeys to see. People like Demetrius.

"Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone - and even by the truth itself" (vs. 12). He had a great reputation - one that was deserved. Even Truth found lips and words to speak well of this man. Gaius was shown a stark contrast of models. Picking the right one pleased his Pastor.

In closing this shortest letter (postcard) in the New Testament, John writes: "I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face (vs.14). Is the thought of a reunion with you by a previous pastor a pleasurable point for him to ponder? Or is it something to avoid if he wants a good night's sleep?

Do you need to thank a spiritual parent in your life: a Pastor (current or previous), a Sunday School teacher, a parent, a Camp or Youth leader? Go for it! Let them reap some of what they have sown. [Perhaps a letter or call of thanks might be in order?]

Pastors - Spiritual Parents of all stripes - do you need to express joy in a spiritual child? How encouraging these words from John must have been to Gaius. Let's remember to share with others the joy they bring us.

ARE YOU EXPECTING TOO MUCH? (Russ Lawson)

I've come to the conclusion over the years that some people drop out of religion because they expect the wrong things. Some people come to a church because they are looking for something they haven't been able to find or something missing in their lives. They become a Christian or become involved with a local church and expect their lives to suddenly be perfect, no more problems to face. No more attacks by Satan, suddenly their whole life should become easier with no more hassles. When that doesn't happen they just quit and give up on God.

People like this are kind of like a lady who was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family and was trying to get to the ones in the bottom of the freezer. A stock boy happened by and she asked, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?" The stock boy replied, "No ma'am, they're dead."

The stock boy thought she was asking for something unrealistic and far too often we do too. One of the things people fail to realize is that the peace we find in Christ is of a spiritual nature, which allows us to eventually find peace in our physical world. There are some people who can make that transition in understanding, growth if you will very quickly. Probably most people like this have already been striving to have a relationship with God. They can find a new peace that passes the understanding of most of the world, but most of us are not that way. We need time to mature in Christ from a new beginning and grow into what God intends. Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:2, "Be full of desire for the true milk of the word, as babies at their mothers’ breasts, so that you may go on to salvation."

When we do that then we will find that peace in God for which we are looking. But the key is that God does expect us to grow, not just set in a church pew like a new born child laying in its mothers arms, never growing, never maturing. Paul writes about this in Hebrews 5:11-14 where he says, "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

The bottom line is this; if you want to find peace in this world don't expect to find it quickly or easily. It comes to us when we give the Word of God time to grow and mature in our lives by putting to practice the things we find in it. We become as Paul said, "the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

(Messages From The Heart)

The Ant and the Grasshopper (Author Unknown)

A mother of a 9 year old boy, Mark, received a phone call in the middle of the afternoon. It was the teacher from her son's school.

"Mrs. Smith, something unusual happened today in your son's third grade class. Your son did something that surprised me so much that I thought you should know about it immediately."

Mothers seldom want to hear from their child's teacher in the middle of the day. The mother was uneasy and nervous by such a beginning to a phone call. "What now?" the mother wondered.

The teacher continued, "I have been teaching for many years and nothing like this has happened until now. This morning I was teaching a lesson on creative writing. And as I always do, I tell the story of the ant and the grasshopper. The ant works hard all summer and stores up plenty of food. But the grasshopper plays all summer and does no work.

Then winter comes. The grasshopper begins to starve because he has no food. So he hops to the ants house and begins to beg. 'Please Mr. Ant, you have much food please let me eat, too.' Now boys and girls your job is to write the ending to the story.

Your son, Mark, raised his hand. "Teacher, may I draw a picture?" "Well, yes, Mark, if you like, you may draw a picture. But first you must write the ending to the story."

The papers came in. As in all the years past, most of the students said that the ant shared his food through the winter and both the ant and the grasshopper lived. As always, a few children said, 'The ant said, "No, Mr. Grasshopper. You should have worked in the summer and not played. Now, I have just enough food for myself." So the ant lived and the grasshopper died.

But your son ended the story in a way different from any other child, ever. He wrote, "So the ant gave all of his food to the grasshopper; the grasshopper lived through the winter. But the ant died."

And the picture? At the bottom of the page, Mark had drawn three crosses. "He gave everything to us so that we might live; but Jesus died."

Praise God for Jesus's sacrifice on our behalf!

Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah

Seeing Only One Side

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
Psalm 13:1

Recommended Reading John 12:27-28

Directors of dramatic films often use a camera sequence that heightens the tension in a scene. Two enemies will be within feet of each other -- on opposite sides of a wall or on parallel streets in a city without knowing it. An aerial shot or split screen gives us, the viewers, the advantage of seeing both parties. But the actors are portraying extreme tension, not knowing where the other person is. 

That tension is what we feel sometimes when we can only see our side of the split screen without seeing God's side. We're in a situation of some sort -- trouble or danger is approaching -- and we cry out to God for His help and intervention. And either we don't hear immediately from God or we get an answer that is not what we wanted or expected. The problem is, we can only see our part of the drama. God is above it all and sees what we cannot. Consider the time the Israelites were delayed in reaching the Promised Land (Exodus 13:17-18), or the time the answer to Daniel's prayer was delayed for three weeks (Daniel 10:1-14) -- both delays were for good reasons.

If you are asking God for something and the answer is slow in coming, remember that you are seeing only one part of the equation. 

Hope is the foundation of patience. 
John Calvin 

Giving towards the work of God

Dr. Manoj Kumar Khatore cautions us..........

A word of caution for those who donate their money for God's work : Don't live in a delusion that God or His servants are dependant on your money for their sustenance. Even if you do not donate God knows how to protect, feed and lead His servants. And, if you are given a chance to contribute then do so with utmost humilty, honesty and godly fear lest He be angry and curse your material wealth to bring down your ego and pride.

Acts 5:1-11 NIV: Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Let us learn from the examples given in the Bible and revere God with utmost purity of heart. To those who protect the poor and honor the work of the Lord with pure motives He is always a refuge in times of trouble, a shield and an exeedingly great reward. May the Lord God meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus as you honor His work in the best possible way you can.

Have an awesome day in Christ!

Prayer

Stormie Omartian wrote, "Praising and worshiping God doesn’t guarantee that our prayers will be answered exactly the way we pray them. That doesn't happen to anyone all the time ... prayer is not telling God what to do. It's sharing our heart and making our requests known to Him. He then answers in accordance with His will."
(Stormie Omartian, The Prayer That Changes Everything)

On Rocky Ground (by Ron Nichol)

There it was, just ahead of me on the sidewalk: a familiar, bright yellow dandelion, the harbinger of spring, growing out of a narrow crack in the concrete pavement. Somehow, a lone seed from the previous year had landed in the crack and found enough fertile soil to take root and bloom. It brought to mind a recent sermon on the parable of the sower and the seeds.

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." (Luke 8:5-8 NIV 2011)

For me, the most pertinent point of the sermon was that even some of the seeds that landed on rocky ground could eventually come into bloom. I lived for many years on skid row as an alcoholic, and the soil of my soul had become very rocky ground. It was hardened, poisoned, and covered by the rocks of despair from the starkness of my daily grind for survival. I was emotionally and spiritually dead, detached from life, from self, and, most importantly, from God. Although many of God's servants sowed the seeds of salvation, I was totally incapable of responding. Some people even turned away from me in frustration, feeling that their best efforts were being wasted on me. I felt that I had been abandoned to the dismal fate of an alcoholic death.

I now firmly believe that it was the Spirit of almighty God that came to me one night as I sat behind a green dumpster, drinking a bottle of rum. I had an insight, a voice as clear as a bell, a gentle voice from within me that said, "You were not born to live this way. You were not meant to die this way." That luminous moment of insight was the beginning of my journey towards Jesus, towards the light of life.

The living seed of God, sown by the servants of God years before, began to blossom in the dry soil of my soul. The Lord Jesus gently led me to the foot of His cross, where I eventually knelt, confessed my sinfulness, and admitted my need of His all-saving grace. All honour and glory be to God, for without His saving grace, I would still be counted amongst the lost souls. I will also be eternally grateful for all of God's people who, with patience and persistence, continued to sow the seeds of salvation. Today, through the eternal message of the gospel, I am able to love without fear, to embrace life with all of its vagaries, and to live life to its fullest.

The important point is that as Christians, we ought never to turn away from people in desperate and disparate circumstances, no matter whether we feel that our best efforts to sow the seeds of our Lord are landing on deaf ears. We never know when or where those seeds will take root and flourish in even the most broken of souls. By the great commission left by Jesus, we, His friends and servants, are to be the sowers of the seeds, the fishers of souls. It is to be left to God alone, through His will and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to furnish the nourishment of His grace, so that some of the seeds that we sow may someday thrive, even in the most rock-strewn and desolate of human hearts.

Prayer: Dear Lord, with Your help and grace, may we become sowers of the seeds of Your Word, and may Your seeds return to you a hundredfold. May we always in word and deed give witness to the redeeming love and grace of Your Son, our dear Lord Jesus. Amen.

Ron Nichol
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

Tony Campolo

The story is told of a church that secured a new preacher, and the word spread around town about how well he preached.  The church members were abuzz about what an improvement he was over their former preacher, and how much more attention they gave to his sermons.  When the town cynic asked what made this new preacher so much better than his predecessor, he was told, “The old preacher told us that we’re all sinners, and that if we didn’t repent, we’d burn in hell forever!”  This cynic then asked, “And what does this new one say?”  The answer was, “That we’re all sinners, and that if we don’t repent, we’ll burn in hell forever!”  When the cynic responded that he didn’t see any difference between the two of them, he was told, “This new preacher says it with tears in his eyes.”

Is there evidence that God answers prayer

I may have dwelt on this issue previously, but a similar question posed to our online ministry Answer2 prayer (www.answers2prayer.org) has prompted me to look at it again.

Countless stories could be cited of diseases cured, exams passed, children begotten, repentance and forgiveness granted, relationships restored, hungry children fed, bills paid, lives and souls saved through the efficacy of prayer. So, yes, there is plenty of evidence that God through the name of Jesus answers prayer. Most of the evidence is anecdotal and personal, however, and that bothers many who think of “evidence” only as that which is observable, measureable, and reproducible.

Scripture clearly teaches that prayers are answered. James 5:16 states that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Jesus taught His disciples that “if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). First John 3:22 echoes this truth, saying that we “receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.”

Scripture, moreover, is replete with stories of answered prayer. Elijah’s prayer for fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:12), Hezekiah’s prayer for deliverance (2 Kings 19:19), and the apostles’ prayer for boldness (Acts 4:29) are just three examples. Since these accounts were written by eyewitnesses to the events, they constitute clear evidence of answered prayer. One might, of course, counter that Scripture does not present observable evidence in the “scientific” sense. However, no statement of Scripture has ever been conclusively disproved, so there is no reason to doubt its testimony. In fact, labeling some kinds of evidence as “scientific” and other kinds as “non-scientific” is a fuzzy and artificial distinction at best. The choice to evaluate the efficacy of prayer only in light of observable evidence is not a choice motivated by the data but by prior philosophical commitments. When this arbitrary restriction is relaxed, the biblical data speaks clearly for itself.

Occasionally, a group of researchers will conduct a scientific study on the efficacy of prayer. Their findings are usually that prayer has no effect (or possibly even a negative effect) on, for instance, the average recovery time of people in medical care. How are we to understand the results of studies such as these? Are there any biblical reasons for unanswered prayer?

Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (NASB). Likewise, 1 John 5:15 qualifies our receiving “anything we ask” with our obedience to God’s commands. James notes that “when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives” (4:3). So, a couple reasons for unanswered prayer are un-confessed sin and wrong motivations.

“When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:6-7). Hebrews 11:6 also identifies faith as a necessary condition for a relationship with God, something always mediated by prayer in the name of Christ: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Faith, then, is necessary for answered prayer.

SOME CRITICS OF CHRISTIANITY MAKE THE CASE THAT, SINCE JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS DISCIPLES TO “ASK WHATEVER YOU WISH,” ALL PRAYERS SHOULD BE ANSWERED. HOWEVER, SUCH CRITICISMS COMPLETELY IGNORE THE CONDITIONS TO THE PROMISE IN THE FIRST PART OF THE VERSE: “IF YOU REMAIN IN ME AND MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU.” This is clearly a prescription for praying within the will of God; in other words, genuine prayer which God always answers is, in fact, that sort which requests, explicitly or implicitly, that GOD'S WILL WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED. The will of the petitioner is secondary. Jesus Himself prayed this way in Gethsemane  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done (Luke 22:42). The humble prayer of faith allows that the prayer may be answered with a “no”; anyone not offering such a prayer—anyone who demands to be answered—has no right to expect an answer.

Another reason why so many report the inefficacy of prayer is that it is impossible to eliminate the variables associated with the spiritual condition of those praying (is the petitioner even a believer?), the motivation for which they offer the prayer (is it to provide evidence or because the Holy Spirit has moved them to pray?), the way in which they offer their prayer (are they praying a formulaic expression or intentionally bringing requests to God?), and so on.

Even if all such lurking variables could be eliminated, one overarching problem would remain: if prayer could be tested empirically and forced to yield conclusive results, it would obviate the need for faith. We cannot “discover” God through empirical observations; we come to Him by faith. God is not so clumsy that He should reveal Himself in ways He did not intend. “He who comes to God must believe that He is” (that is, that He exists). Faith is the prerequisite and the priority.

Does God answer prayer? Ask any believer, and you will know the answer. Every changed life of every believer is proof positive that God answers prayer.

The answer is sometimes immediate. Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, and as he began to sink, he prayed, “Lord, save me!” The answer was immediate (Matthew 14:22-31)
The answer is sometimes delayed. The delay is according to His will (Romans 8:28). The resurrection of Lazarus is a good example of delayed answer to prayer. Lazarus was sick. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him. But Jesus delayed coming until Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. Then He came and raised Lazarus for the dead. The answer was delayed – but not denied (John 11:1-44).
The answer is sometimes “no.” When God answers with a “no,” He always accompanies the answer with peace (Philippians 4:6, 7) and grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). My grace is sufficient for thee.

The answer is sometimes different from what you expect. You pray for perseverance and God sends tribulation because “tribulation produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3).

 God answers all our prayers – not according to our wishes, but according to His perfect will.

The Picnic (By Bob Benson)

Do you remember ever being invited to a picnic, a social gathering, like by a church group or maybe a family reunion? Maybe you were told something like, "You bring what you want to eat and we'll furnish the tea."

But you came home and, at the last minute, got ready to pack your lunch, but all you could find was one dried up piece of bologna and just enough mustard in the jar so that you got it all over your knuckles when you tried to get it out . . . and just two stale pieces of bread. Soooooooo, you made a bologna sandwich and wrapped it in a brown bag and went to the picnic.

When it came time to eat, you sat at the end of the table and spread out your sandwich. But the folks right next to you - the lady was a good cook and had worked all day - had fried chicken and baked beans and potato salad and home made rolls and sliced tomatoes and pickles and olives and celery, and, to top it off, two great big homemade chocolate pies. They spread it all out beside you and there you were . . . with your bologna sandwich.

But they smiled warmly and said to you "Why don't we put it all together?" You may have stammered a bit, embarrassed, and made excuses, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. "Aww come on, there's plenty of chicken, plenty of pie, plenty of everything. And we just love bologna sandwiches. Let's just put it all together." So you did . . . and there you sat, eating like a king, when you came like a pauper.

So I'm thinking . . . thinking of me sharing in the very being of God. When I think of how little I bring and how much He brings and that He invites me to share. . . I know I should be shouting to the housetops, but I'm so filled with awe and wonder that I can hardly be heard. I know I don't have enough love. . . or faith . . . or grace. . . or mercy. . . or wisdom. But He has. He has ALL those things in abundance, and He says, "Let's just put it all together. Everything that I possess is available to you, and everything that I am and can be to a person I will be to you."

And when I think about it like that, it really amuses me - to see somebody running around through life, hanging on to their dumb bag, with their stale bologna sandwich saying, "Well, God's not gonna get my sandwich! No sirree, not mine!" Did you ever see anybody like that - just so needy? Just about half starved to death, hanging on for dear life to their bologna sandwich?

You see, it's not that He needs your bologna sandwich. Fact is, you need His everything.

Mother Teresa Tells Us.....

What I do, you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do.  The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things.  But we can all do small things, with great love and together we can do something wonderful.

Learning to Breathe. Flying Like an Eagle

I was born with a bottle of decongesting nasal spray in my hand. I can't remember a day when I didn't have a bottle of that poison, and I was taught to use its spray three times a day. Since, as I would quickly learn, I couldn't breathe without it, I did as I was told!

I had no idea at the time that most of my mother's side of the family had deviated nasal septums. This label sure sounds alien, don't you think? All it means to me is that one side of my nose is large enough to host a party, while the other side is rather insignificant; and when my nose switches over to this little side, I can't breathe! Nasal decongesting spray to the rescue!

The first time I became aware that this was perhaps a serious problem was the day I visited my uncle, my mother's brother, in the hospital. I was around 12 years old at the time, and it didn't make sense when he told me that he had to have his nose broken by doctors so that it would be straight. To me, his nose always seemed straight. What was he talking about?

Eventually as I got older, I became aware that these little bottles of decongesting nasal spray were far from being my friends. I tried to wean myself off them, but without success. One time I managed to stay off of them for a few years; but nighttime was brutal. When it was the turn of the small side of my nose to take the primary burden of breathing, it couldn't stand up to the task and it collapsed instead!

The day I had my panic attack, I decided that it was time to put these bottles of decongestant nasal sprays to rest for good. I couldn't sleep anyway, so why not make myself totally miserable? My tactic, however, was quite different than what I had tried before. Instead of relying on my own efforts, I prayed for wisdom, depending solely on God.

A few days later I discovered the existence of nose cones. One of these in my dwarf nostril at night would allow me, for the first time in my life, to breathe without nasal spray from the small side of my nose. I became a new man. One who, I am proud to say, is completely free of these annoying little bottles that used to hold me captive.

Looking back, although I sure didn't relish that panic attack that evening, I thank God for letting me go through it. Not only did God free me from my addiction since birth; not only did He teach me how to breathe; He also taught me how to walk closer to Him than ever before.

You may be going through some dark times. Look beyond the darkness and see God's light shining brightly towards you. He will lead you to freedom and a peace out of this world. Truly, Paul was so correct when he wrote: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

Learn to breathe from the Lord. Refreshing air from God's Holy Spirit will fill you completely! We were not born for addictions, but rather, to experience God fully in our everyday walk with Him. Enjoy this Fresh air from our Father. "Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night." (Philippians 2:15, MSG)

You, too, can be free!

Rob Chaffart

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Where Can we get peace?

Lamu attacks and murders, Isreali-Gaza conflict, Iraq in turmoil, Egypt in crises, Syria bleeding, Boko Haram in Nigeria, AlQuida everywhere, Al Shabaab in Somali and elsewhere, Separatists in Ukraine who can bring down a jetliner with sophisticated war machinery, endless domestic violence. The list is endless......

Where can we get peace?

Matthew 5:9  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 11:28-30  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.”

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 20:19  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”

PRAYER:

Philippians 4:6-7  do not be anxious 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 surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."  -  C.S. Lewis

"I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate."  -  Oswald Chambers

"Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace… If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you know what His will is."  -  Amy Carmichael

Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 2:4 - And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Guardian Angels

You are Mine.  Once I have set on you My stamp and seal of ownership all My Hosts throng to serve and protect you. Remember that you are daughters of a King.   Try to picture a bodyguard of My servitors in the Unseen waiting, longing, efficient, to do all that is necessary for your well-being. Feel this as you go through the day.  Feel this and all is well. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

Can a Christian lose salvation

Before we answer this question, the term “Christian” must be examined.

A “Christian” is NOT a person:

Who has a Christian name

Who goes to church regularly

Who has said a prayer

Walked down an aisle in a church wedding

Been raised in a Christian family.

Who opens every conversation with a ‘praise God’

While each of these things can be a part of the Christian experience/life, they are not what “makes” a Christian.

A CHRISTIAN IS MUCH MUCH MORE!

A Christian is a person, who has:

By faith, received, believed and fully trusted in Jesus Christ as the only Savior:

John 3:16;

Acts 16:31;

Ephesians 2:8-9

So, with this definition in mind, can a Christian lose salvation?

Perhaps the best way to answer this crucially important question is to:

Examine what the Bible says OCCURS at salvation

……….AND THEN STUDY WHAT LOSING SALVATION WOULD THEREFORE ENTAIL/MEAN/IMPLY.

ONCE SAVED/BORN AGAIN, A CHRISTIAN IS A NEW CREATION.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This verse speaks of a person becoming an entirely new creature as a result of being “in Christ.”

For a Christian to lose salvation, the new creation would have to be;

     Canceled

     Reversed.

A CHRISTIAN IS REDEEMED.

(1 Peter 1:18-19).

     “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect”

The word “redeemed” refers to:

A purchase being made

A COSTLY price being paid.

THEREFORE!

For a Christian to lose salvation: God Himself would have to revoke His purchase that He paid for with the precious blood of Christ.

A CHRISTIAN IS JUSTIFIED.

(Romans 5:1).

     “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

TO “JUSTIFY” means to:

“Declare righteous.”

All those who receive Jesus as Savior are “declared righteous” by God.

FOR A CHRISTIAN TO LOSE SALVATION:

God would have to go back on His Word and “un-declare” what He had previously declared.

A CHRISTIAN IS PROMISED ETERNAL LIFE.

(John3:16)

     “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.

Eternal life is a promise of eternity (forever) in heaven with God.

God promises, “Believe and you will have eternal life.”

FOR A CHRISTIAN TO LOSE SALVATION:

The promise of eternal life would have to be taken away.

If a Christian is promised to live forever, how then can God break this promise by taking away eternal life?

A CHRISTIAN IS GUARANTEED GLORIFICATION.

(Romans 8:30)

“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified”.

As we read in Romans 5:1, justification is declared at the moment of faith.

According to Romans 8:30, glorification is guaranteed for all those whom God justifies.

Glorification (guaranteed) refers to a Christian receiving a perfect resurrection body in heaven.

IF A CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE SALVATION, THEN ROMANS 8:30 IS IN ERROR Because God could not guarantee glorification for all those whom He predestines, calls, and justifies AND THESE REVOKE THAT VERY SAME ACT.

• These few verses (there are numerous in the Bible) make it abundantly clear that a Christian cannot lose salvation.  
• Most, if not all, of what the Bible says happens to us when we receive Jesus Christ as Savior would be invalidated if salvation could be lost.
• Salvation cannot be reversed.
• A Christian cannot be un-newly created.
• Redemption cannot be undone.
• Eternal life cannot be lost and still be considered eternal.
• Guaranteed glorification cannot be ‘un-guaranted”

IF A CHRISTIAN CAN LOSE SALVATION, GOD WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK ON HIS WORD AND CHANGE HIS MIND—TWO THINGS THAT SCRIPTURE TELLS US GOD NEVER DOES.

NOW!

FREQUENT OBJECTIONS THAT WE MAY MEET

1) What about those who are Christians and continually live an immoral lifestyle?

2) What about those who are Christians but later reject the faith and deny Christ?

3) What about the “backslidden”?

The problem with these three objections is the phrase:  “WHO ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS?”

(1 John 3:6). The Bible declares that a true Christian will not live a continually immoral lifestyle

(1 John2:19) The Bible declares that anyone who departs the faith is demonstrating that he never truly was a Christian.

THEREFORE, NONE OF THESE OBJECTIONS ARE VALID.

Christians do not continually live immoral lifestyles

Nor do they reject the faith and deny Christ.

     Such actions are proof that they were never redeemed.  NO, A CHRISTIAN CANNOT LOSE SALVATION.

Nothing can separate a Christian from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).

Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand (John 10:28-29).

God is both willing and able to guarantee and maintain the salvation He has given us.

Jude tells us in 24-25, “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

Be blessed as you work on you work on your salvation!

JAMES 1:5 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

EPHESIANS 5:15-17 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

JAMES 3:17 

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

PROVERBS 3:13-18 

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...

PROVERBS 10:23 

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

PROVERBS 12:15 

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

PROVERBS 23:23 

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

PROVERBS 18:15 

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

COLOSSIANS 3:16 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

PROVERBS 17:27-28 

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

ECCLESIASTES 8:1 

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

JEREMIAH 9:24 

But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

JOB 12:12-13 

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.

EPHESIANS 1:16-19 

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

LUKE 21:15 

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

PROVERBS 19:20 

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

PROVERBS 17:10 

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

PROVERBS 23:12 

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

PROVERBS 24:3-7 

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.

EPHESIANS 3:14-19 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ...

COLOSSIANS 2:8 

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

PROVERBS 14:16 

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

JOHN 8:32 

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2 TIMOTHY 2:7 

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

PROVERBS 18:1 

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.

PROVERBS 1:7 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

PROVERBS 3:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:18-20 

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

1 CORINTHIANS 1:17-26 

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. ...

PROVERBS 4:6-7 

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.

2 TIMOTHY 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

DANIEL 1:17 

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

JEREMIAH 9:23 

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,

PROVERBS 12:1 

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

GALATIANS 4:9 

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

JOHN 8:12 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

PROVERBS 21:20 

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-16 

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ...

DANIEL 12:3 

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

PROVERBS 15:33 

The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

1 TIMOTHY 6:20 

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

PHILIPPIANS 3:15 

Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

ROMANS 11:33 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

JEREMIAH 33:3 

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

PROVERBS 29:3 

He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

PROVERBS 14:33 

Wisdom rests in the heart of a man of understanding, but it makes itself known even in the midst of fools.

ROMANS 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 JOHN 2:27 

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

PROVERBS 16:16 

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

PROVERBS 10:21 

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

PROVERBS 10:8 

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

2 PETER 3:18 

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.

ECCLESIASTES 10:12 

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

PROVERBS 3:7 

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

PHILIPPIANS 1:9 

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

1 CORINTHIANS 2:9-14 

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. ...

HOSEA 6:6 

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

JAMES 1:1-27 

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

COLOSSIANS 2:3 

In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

MATTHEW 6:23 

But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

PROVERBS 13:20 

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

LUKE 12:12 

For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

ISAIAH 29:14-16 

Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.” Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?” You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

ISAIAH 5:21 

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

PROVERBS 15:21 

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

PROVERBS 9:9-12 

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

PSALM 94:12-14 

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage;

JAMES 3:13 

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

PROVERBS 22:17-21 

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you. Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge, to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

PROVERBS 15:22 

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

EPHESIANS 6:18-20 

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:7 

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:18 

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

DANIEL 2:20-23 

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

PROVERBS 11:12 

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

PROVERBS 9:10 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

PROVERBS 2:6 

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

1 JOHN 4:6 

We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

2 PETER 1:2-5 

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

EPHESIANS 5:11 

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

DANIEL 5:14 

I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.

PROVERBS 15:7 

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

PROVERBS 3:35 

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

DEUTERONOMY 10:18 

He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.

EXODUS 36:1 

“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.”

1 JOHN 5:20 

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

COLOSSIANS 2:1-3 

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:12 

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

1 CORINTHIANS 8:2 

If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

LUKE 7:35 

Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

ECCLESIASTES 8:16 

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one's eyes see sleep,

ECCLESIASTES 7:16-25 

Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them. Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. ...

PROVERBS 28:11 

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

PROVERBS 28:5 

Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.

PROVERBS 16:25 

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

PROVERBS 8:1 

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 CHRONICLES 1:7-12 

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, ...

1 PETER 1:1-25 

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ...

COLOSSIANS 4:2-4 

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

COLOSSIANS 1:26-28 

The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

COLOSSIANS 1:10 

So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

COLOSSIANS 1:9 

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

EPHESIANS 4:11-13 

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

1 CORINTHIANS 13:11 

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

JOHN 1:17 

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

LUKE 24:45 

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

MATTHEW 7:24 

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

ISAIAH 47:10 

You felt secure in your wickedness, you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.”

ECCLESIASTES 10:10 

If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

ECCLESIASTES 8:17 

Then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

ECCLESIASTES 7:11-13 

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

ECCLESIASTES 2:1-26 

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. ...

PROVERBS 21:11 

When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

PROVERBS 13:14-16 

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin. In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

PROVERBS 3:34 

Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

PROVERBS 3:13-26 

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6 

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:8 

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

ROMANS 16:19 

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

ROMANS 12:1 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

JOHN 5:30 

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

LUKE 12:11 

And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,

MATTHEW 7:24-27 

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

MATTHEW 7:1-29 

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

DANIEL 12:10 

Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

DANIEL 12:4 

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

ISAIAH 11:9 

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

ISAIAH 1:1-31 

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

ECCLESIASTES 8:5 

Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.

PROVERBS 30:24-28 

Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.

PROVERBS 14:18 

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

PROVERBS 13:16 

In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

PROVERBS 11:9 

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

PROVERBS 10:14 

The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

PROVERBS 10:13 

On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

JOB 33:12-25 

“Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of man's words’? For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, ...

COLOSSIANS 3:10 

And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

PHILIPPIANS 3:7-10 

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

PHILIPPIANS 1:10 

So that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

1 CORINTHIANS 8:3 

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-14 

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ...

ROMANS 1:19 

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

JOHN 16:14 

He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

JOHN 9:39 

Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”

JOHN 8:31 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

JOHN 6:45 

It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—

JOHN 1:5 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

LUKE 16:8 

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

MARK 12:32-34 

And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

MATTHEW 13:11 

And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

MATTHEW 11:25-27 

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

DANIEL 2:23 

To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

ECCLESIASTES 12:11 

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.

PROVERBS 26:10 

Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

PROVERBS 20:18 

Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.

PROVERBS 16:23 

The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

ROMANS 1:20 

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

ACTS 6:10 

But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

JOHN 17:26 

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

JOHN 12:46 

I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

JOHN 10:14 

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

JOHN 7:17 

If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

JOHN 1:1 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

LUKE 24:32 

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

LUKE 11:34-36 

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

JEREMIAH 8:7-9 

Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of their coming, but my people know not the rules of the Lord. “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’? But behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. The wise men shall be put to shame; they shall be dismayed and taken; behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord, so what wisdom is in them?

ISAIAH 28:24-29 

Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border? For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him. Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cart wheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. Does one crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it forever; when he drives his cart wheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it. ...

ECCLESIASTES 7:5-7 

It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

PROVERBS 28:7 

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

PROVERBS 20:15 

There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

PROVERBS 17:2 

A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

PROVERBS 12:8 

A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.

JOB 33:14-15 

For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds,

2 PETER 1:8 

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 2:11 

So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

JOHN 17:25 

O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.

DANIEL 11:32 

He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14 

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

PROVERBS 24:13 

My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

PROVERBS 22:7 

The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

PROVERBS 21:30 

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.

PROVERBS 19:8 

Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

PROVERBS 9:1-6 

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ...

PROVERBS 8:11 

For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

PROVERBS 7:2-4 

Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,

ROMANS 15:14 

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

ACTS 7:22 

And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.

ACTS 7:10 

And rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

JOHN 17:3 

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

JOHN 14:7 

If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

MATTHEW 16:17 

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

PROVERBS 4:4-13 

He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 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. ...

DANIEL 11:33 

And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.

JEREMIAH 6:16 

Thus says the Lord: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

ISAIAH 1:17 

Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

PROVERBS 16:16-17 

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

PROVERBS 4:6 

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

PROVERBS 3:21-26 

My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes