Inspirational devotional imagery with book and figure in clouds.

21 Day Devional -Day 19-Increasing in Wisdom

/ Promises / By

Increasing in Wisdom

Increasing in Wisdom

A significant portion of the Bible talks about wisdom and how important it is for us as believers to seek her out. 

In this simple account that sums up the early years of Jesus’ life, the Bible puts a spotlight on Jesus growing in wisdom. Well certainly, one may presuppose, wisdom must come to Jesus naturally since He is God and God is all-knowing. Yet, the narrative reveals that Jesus was not only filled with wisdom, He also grew in wisdom (kept increasing and advancing) in very practical ways. 

Jesus’ hunger for wisdom positioned Him amongst the teachers of the law in the temple, where he listened to them and asked them questions (Luke 2:46). Similarly, we can start this quest by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and a hearing ear to God and other wise people. 

Everyday in this new season, there will be opportunities and situations for which we can seek the Lord for His wisdom. Like Jesus, we can also gain valuable insights from other wise people by initiating conversations and asking questions. 

We can ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance in our daily decisions for He is the Spirit of counsel and wisdom. 

We can glean wisdom from the Bible and especially from the Book of Proverbs which contains many insights and wisdom for our daily lives.

Just as Jesus needed to learn and grow in wisdom, we likewise need to do so.

Reflection

How can we seek out God’s wisdom for the decisions we need to make? 

Who are the people in your life that can give you godly counsel? Be intentional to involve them in your decision-making.

Prayer

Dear God, help me to learn from You. Help me to associate with wise people and learn from them. Help me also to constantly return to You on matters that I need wisdom on and wait on You for the answers that I need

19. **Building Empathy**: Fasting fosters empathy for the needy and hungry, reminding believers of their responsibility to care for others, as Isaiah 58:7 emphasizes: “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

.

 

LUKE 2

40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
The Boy Jesus in the Temple
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

JAMES 3

Taming the Tongue
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.