Cody Braddock's Blog

Tag: wisdom

  • Godly Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Proverbs 19 –     What is godly wisdom?  What is worldly wisdom?  Wisdom given to us by God empowers us to know Him better and directly affects the heart of the believer.  Godly wisdom includes discernment, insight into His word, a better understanding of the characters of God, and better understanding of the will of God.  Acts 6:10 “But they were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.”  Man cannot fully comprehend the matters of God.  Earthly wisdom is wisdom of things of the world and cannot produce fruit.  Earthly wisdom is made a fool and gives no life or true understanding.  It is full of words and lacks depth in understanding.  What does man know that God does not?  Did He Himself not create us and everything in the universe?  Can earthly wisdom tell me how many stars are in the universe or how they were created?  Can earthly wisdom tell of what it was like when the foundations of the earth were laid?  No.  Jeremiah 51:15 “He made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding.”  True wisdom comes from the Lord. 

    What is said about earthly wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:19 “For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the understanding of the experts.”  1 Corinthians 1:20 “Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?” 

    What is said of godly wisdom? 1 Corinthians 1:25 “because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 “No one should deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise.” 

    Obtaining godly wisdom:  James 1:5 “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”

    Characters of godly wisdom: James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.”

    Vs 20 – “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to seek wisdom from our Lord God.  I want to use this wisdom to glorify God and understand Him better.  I desire to help others and give insight in to the Word of God through teaching.  I also desire to guide others in the Truth and help people understand their roles here on earth.  Life is more than living and dying.  It is about glorifying God and choosing to love.  There is no reward when someone is forced to love.  God gave us a choice to seek Him and love Him.  It satisfies God when His children seek to Love Him and grow closer to Him.  He does not need us but rejoices in having a relationship with us.  He is our Provider, Comforter, Helper in time of need, and  our Father.  Our purpose here is to learn about Him, grow with Him, and learn to obey and Love Him with all of our heart, might, and soul.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You for wisdom in Your word.  Who is like You Father?  What man can ponder the affairs of God?  None.  There is none like You and I’m grateful to be Your legitimate son.  I thank You that You sought me where I was in my life and lifted me by Your grace, love, and mercy.  I did not have to be a king or even important.  You still reached down to me and brought to me a new life.  I am grateful that You chose me Lord.  I am grateful for Your everlasting mercy and grace.  I ask that what You have blessed me with be shared with those around me.  I pray that You overflow in my life to others.  I confess that I am nothing without You.  Life is nothing if it is not lived for You alone.  Help me to break the chains of this world and fervently seek You.  Please be patient with me Father and forgive me when I do not do what is pleasing in Your eyes.  Help me to learn from my wrongs, repent, and correct.  Give me wisdom so I may lead in Your name.  Give me a heart for the lost and eyes to discern what is good and evil.  I will go Lord.  Use me for Your glory so that You may be pleased with me.  Help me to do Your Will.  I pray for the lost and ask that You call them to You.  Please revive this world and remember Your promises.  Please do not abandon us despite what the wicked are doing.  Return to us Almighty Savior and claim Your people!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

  • Powerful Hands

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Deuteronomy 8 –     Pride is probably one of the greatest downfalls of man.  With it man takes credit upon himself and rebels agains power greater than himself.  Is wrong to take pride in your work or accomplishments?  No.  Absolutely not!  But, give credit where credit is due.  As a Christian I account for all of my success to God.  There is no magic or person that helped me to where I am.  God has allowed me to experience lessons for learning as well as great accomplishments.  The only time I have really regretted something I have done is when I try to take the glory.  In doing so I magnify myself for everyone to see my imperfection.  In God there is no imperfection.  It is better to magnify Him.

    Vs 17-18 – “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and my own ability have gained this wealth for me,’ but remember that the LORD your God gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant He swore to your fathers, as it is today.”

    Walking in the Word – I will maginfy God in what I do.  I pray who I am and what I do glorifies God and brings others to the knowledge of His grace, mercy, and love.  I desire to have success in life and use what I have gained and learned to help others who are in need.  In all things I desire to show obedience to God through our Lord Jesus Christ by obeying His commands and loving others through Him.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I thank You for Your gifts to me in this life.  There are not many things left in this world that are not being corrupted.  I thank You that Your gifts cannot be destroyed, the greatest ones being salvation and love.  I pray that in having success I do not forget it was by Your hands alone I was allowed to have what I have.  I pray that I not only use what I have to glorify You, but that I may be a good steward of all things.  All good things belong to You.  I pray that I make good use of time as well as money.  May You be magnified through the Son in my life and others!  Amen and Amen!

  • Wisdom of the World

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    1 Corinthians 3 –     The world is filled with those that are intellectual.  Scientists and teachers continue to boggle peoples’ minds with new findings.  However, what is true wisdom?  Is knowledge wisdom?  True wisdom comes from God alone, who gives abundantly.  Worldly wisdom is foolishness to the Lord.  There are so many questions that have perplexed us for years and many more years to come.  However, the Lord knows all things and in time shall reveal them to us as well.  More important than finding out about the world, is finding out about the One who created the world.  If we have questions, should we not ask the source of the answers?  So true wisdom is what is learned and applied through God’s word.  The understanding of man and his purpose here.  The understanding of the nature of our God is to become enlightened.  Love is also one of the most perplexing and most beautiful things to ponder as well.  Our generation is passing and so will the wise, with it.  Where is our Einstein, Plato, Newton, Bell, Edison today?  Worldly wisdom is but a breath in life, godly wisdom is Eternal.

    VS 19-20 – “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness; and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are meaningless.”

    Walking in the Word – I desire to become more knowledgeable of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I want to become more understanding of the nature of God and my purpose here.  I desire to learn the teachings of our Lord and bind them around my neck and on the tablets of my heart.  I will use them to teach, learn, and apply to any situation I face. 

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father, I am grateful for your instruction.  I ask for Your wisdom to be shared in my life.  I ask that You give me wisdom abundantly in You, that I may have a full life with understanding.  I pray that I may share with others what You have helped me to understand.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

  • Making Decisions

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Ephesians 4 –     How do we make decisions biblically???  There are several things to consider and multiple verses to help us stick to biblical principles.

    1. We should always start with prayer.  We must seek God’s will in what we do.  In the night before Jesus was taken away He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”  This example shows us that even though we may pray for something it may not be God’s will.  In the end God still has plans for us to prosper Jeremiah 29:11.
    2. We must define a decision.  Is what we are praying for biblical and moral?  Is it selfish or selfless?  How does it glorify God?  How can we help others with what we are asking?  We must define our intentions and future goals with purpose.
    3. Are we willing to obey God even if we don’t get what we want?  We must be willing to obey no matter the outcome.  We may not understand why, but we should still trust God.  There may be a reason that is unknown to us that is for our protection.  Example…Maybe we didn’t get to take that vacation because the plane was going to crash, maybe that delay saved our life, maybe that new car was going to use money that is now saved for a potential business opportunity.  We never know.  The bible says in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
    4. Have faith!  Don’t worry!  Just press on and keep your heart upright.  Humans are impulsive and sometimes throw temper-tantrums.  Life is so much easier when you can accept things and learn to press on.  More opportunities come up.  Just have faith that God will provide!  Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
    5. Seek direction biblically.  Find verses and stories in the bible that may reflect a similar situation.  What was the outcome?  How did God’s word address the situation?
    6. Seek direction from godly counsel.  Ask your pastor, prayer group, fellow brothers/sisters in Christ, family.  How do they feel about the decision?  What do they feel the scripture says about the decision?  Have them pray for you!
    7. Write it down!  Write down how your decision glorifies God and brings you closer to Him.  Write down both the pros and cons.  Don’t manipulate scripture to get what you want, but rather reflect on scripture and see if your desires are in alignment with God’s word.
    8. Weigh everything in the decision.  How will you, your family, your church, and most importantly your relationship with God be affected?
    9. Prioritize.  If there are priorities that prevent this decision it is best to care for them first.  Take care of what you need to before you go on with your decision. 
    10. Act on your decision.  When you have carefully reviewed everything make a decision on whether or not to go through with what you have decided and act!

    Walking in the Word – As I face important decisions in my life I want to please God in every way.  I desire to seek biblical resolution to any decisions I make in my life.  I want to do God’s will, not mine.  I will follow steps to ensure I am doing what is right and not acting out of selfish behavior.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Dear Lord, I thank You that You have given me the opportunity and freedom to make decisions.  I pray that my decisions glorify You, and that whatever I do may be pleasing in Your sight.  I thank You that You have been with me and that I have peace in my heart.  I ask that You give me the wisdom to decide on everything before I act.  Lord please speak to my heart with every step I take!  Please don’t look away from me or let me stumble.  I ask that You convict my heart when I’m wrong and that I have peace when doing right.  Please allow me to live a life pleasing in Your sight alone.  I ask that You have grace and mercy on me as well as my brothers and sister in Christ who are also going through decisions in their lives as well.  I pray that Your word soothes their hearts and that they can be a blessing to each other with advice.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

  • Renew Your Mind

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    Romans 12 –     Many people want to know what God’s will is for them.  They often question whether what they are doing is “in God’s will”.  The bible gives us a clear way to know how to discern whether what we are carrying out in our lives is part of God’s plan.  That does not mean we understand and know every detail of His will, but by resisting the ways of the world we are more prepared to respond to what is in God’s plan.  However, we need to be careful to understand that we can never fully comprehend God’s will, even when we are living in obedience.  Sometimes we say, “Well, God didn’t will this for us…” or “It will happen if God wants it too…” or “Why did God let this happen”.  By saying such statements we are assuming we actually know that God did/did not act on our behalf.  We try to wrap our minds around things that we only conceive of in our fleshly minds.  We do not know why all things happen.  We may never understand everything that happens in our lives.  The story of Job carries this out even further.  No one knew why Job suffered.  Everyone assumed he had great sin.  However God willed him to be humbled in order that God be glorified.  Remember that it was Satan that inflicted pain on Job, NOT God.  The bible says God’s throne is heaven and earth is His footstool.  His knowledge and wisdom are above what we can truly comprehend and sometimes things just don’t make since.  What we must keep in mind is that all things eventually come together for the glory of God.  Let’s renew how we think today.
    Vs 2 –  “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

    Walking in the Word – I want to change how I perceive things.  Sometimes I think I know what is going on in the world, just to be swept away and realize I know very little.  I do know that the world is steadily growing wicked, and there is a literal battle going on spiritually for everyone.   I know that the more I flee from the ways of the world the more I feel closer to the Lord.  I desire to throw off the chains of this world and soar to the tower of the Almighty God.  I desire to be in His presence.  After my bones are left here to rot with all the material things of the world, my soul will rest in eternity with God where moth and rust do not destroy and pain is no more.  I desire to make this live meaningful and not waste it on things that do not glofiy my Father.  I want to dwell in the House of the Lord forever in live in paradise with Him!  All of us will eventually pass on and it would be a shame not to invest what time we do have into an eternity with the Creator of the Universe.  What a most precious gift! 

    Prayer Response to the Word – Father God, I ask that You please forgive me for living in the world so long in my ignorance.  I pray that You please rescue me and remember me in Paradise.  I ask that You take each of us to heaven with You and that You forgive us all for doing things so long according to our way.  I ask for Your mercy and grace on all of us.  Please be merciful and spare us from ultimate death.  Lord there is none like You.  Where were we when You laid the foundations of the Earth?  Where were we when You established the heavens?  I praise You Lord that You are mighty to save!  Blessed be Your name!  I ask that my mind is renewed and that I may discern between good and evil.  I ask that You protect me and my family from the world so that we may carry out what You command of us in Your holy name.  Lord please help us to establish a constant relationship with You.  Please help us to stand firm no matter what.  I ask that You raise me up by Your right hand and that You teach me to help others and to love others as You have loved me.  I ask that my and my family’s life pleases You and that we do not waste time in sharing with others.  Lord please instruct us on how to live a full life that magnifies You.  I pray this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

  • A Call To Change

    Today’s Insight in the Word-
    James 1 –     It is difficult to change habits.  Many of us are set in the ways we have always lived, and change is met with great discomfort.  However, how can we be renewed if we are not willing to put away some of our old habits?  We are called to be renewed in our mind (Romans 12:2) and to put off the old self which is being corrupted by our deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22).  When the word is planted it should produce a crop.  It we do not accept and change then we are no different from anyone else.  What will non-believers see in us that is different from the world if we conform with the world?  We must be set apart and lead by being living examples.
    Vs 21 – “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

    Walking in the Word – I want to be an example by my actions in my life, not just words.  I want to be the love and kindness that wasn’t shown before to my neighbor.  I want to be the shoulder for my friends, the defender of my loved ones, the pillar for the weak.  I want to be strong in the Lord and love others as I have been loved by Him.  I want them to know that joy!  I want to listen to my friends and actually hear what they have to say.  I am going to make a change to be more responsive to others and share with them joys and sorrows.  I will seek to have a heart as Christ Jesus has for His children.

    Prayer Response to the Word – Lord, help me to be responsive to those You have put in my life.  Help me to be an example of Your love and patience in each of their lives.  Lord give me the heart to love others as You love me and to see them through Your eyes and not my own.  Lord give me the wisdom to lead and to help them.  I want to share with them the joy You have given me.  Help me to have the words to speak and the ears to listen.  I pray this in Your name, Amen.