Bible Study & Devotional (Day 20)
Read Today’s Passages January 20, 2022
Guiding Scripture: Proverbs 4:2 (NLT) ” for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions.”
🔴 Wisdom Today
written by: LaVonda McCullough
There have been days that I thought I knew more than God or that “my way” was the better choice. How often have you had this same thought process when making a decision? I learned the difference between right and wrong at an early age, as well as and the importance of making wise decisions. However, what does that look like in our world today, and how do we instill that into our children?
What is wisdom?
Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary defines wisdom as “knowledge, and the capacity to make due use of it.”
So, basing it on my feelings, I have discovered that it goes beyond making the impromptu “do this” or “do that,” but it should include guidance from the Bible.
Obtaining wisdom requires a commitment to spend time with God so that your hearts are connected. We experience countless hours with our earthly parents or Godly surrogates who teach and train us how to go, so our hearts are connected. (Proverbs 22:6).
And now, as a parent, I sometimes ask myself where I went wrong when I witnessed my children’s mistakes. But friend, we all make mistakes, however we have a God that loves us unconditionally and knows this already. We can encourage our children to avoid evil and warn them of the horrible consequence with hopes of them embracing the good promises of God. Ultimately it is their choice. We must trust them to God and place them in His loving arms.
They must desire to go after wisdom with the same diligence and tenacity as they spend time with their friends and countless hours on social media.
And this applies to us all of us.
The determination to seek wisdom should not be abandoned when you “mess up,” make a choice to STOP “fess up.”
And Repent.
The road is long and can be treacherous. The journey is not a once-in-a-lifetime step but a process of choosing between two paths.
The Climb
A few years ago, I was on a prayer walk. I had a strong desire to reach the top of Birkenhopf, the highest peak in Stuttgart, to spend time with God and obtain clarity for a situation. I knew this view was amazing to overlook the city and that a 40ft cross stood there surrounded by rubble from World War 2.
I set out to climb this mountain numerous times and failed, not reaching the top. Each path I took continued to lead me around the mountain base.
I was tired, frustrated, and felt like a failure because I couldn’t follow simple instructions on climbing to the top of Rubble Mountain. I paused and looked ahead at the paths before me.
I asked Father God, what am I missing?
Fixing my eyes on Jesus, I sensed the Holy Spirit say, “How long will you continue to go around this mountain?”
I got it, I had failed to follow the instructions that my Father had taught me, and my life was a mess. He was always right there, but I lacked the wisdom and sought Him in all the wrong places.
Proverbs 4:4 says, “follow my commands, and you will live”
To live means putting God first, seeking Him first, and taking God’s word to heart.
Wisdom can pass from generation to generation; unfortunately, that does not always happen. Ultimately, of course, wisdom comes from God, and we, as parents and elders, can only urge our children to turn to Him.
We can find wisdom in all situations and circumstances when we pause, fix our eyes on Jesus, and wait quietly for His divine instructions.
Prayer: Father God, I ask that you meet your child where they are right now and illuminate the path of wisdom to them as they seek you. I speak life into their situation. I ask that they hear your voice and that it will bring clarity, love, and peace in Jesus’ name. Amen.
LaVonda McCullough is the CEO & Founder of Joyful Journey, she is a Biblical Life Coach, Author, Speaker and Co-Pastor specializing in women empowerment. We invite you to connect with LaVonda on Facebook & Instagram. Visit www.lavondamccullough.com for more information.
This devotional was submitted by LaVonda McCullough, a loving contributor to Our Given Purpose. Edited by Torrie Slaughter the founder of Our Given Purpose® in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
🔴 The Bible In A Year Daily Reading
GENESIS 41:17-42:17, MATTHEW 13:24-46, PSALM 18:1-15, PROVERBS 4:1-6
