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If I could summarize this week\u2019s blog in one word it would be wisdom. Many think they have it, not everyone desires it and we all need it.  I read some children\u2019s ideas of it recently:<\/p>\n

Never trust a dog to watch your food. – Patrick, age 10 
\nWhen your dad is mad and asks you, \u201cDo I look stupid?\u201d don’t answer him. – Michael, 14 
\nNever tell your mom her diet’s not working. – Michael, 14 
\nStay away from prunes. – Randy, 9 
\nNever allow your three-year old brother in the same room as your school assignment. – Traci, 14 
\nPuppies still have bad breath, even after eating a tic tac. – Andrew, 9 
\nNever hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time. – Kyoyo, 9 
\nYou can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. – Armir, 9 
\nIf you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse. – Naomi, 15 
\nFelt markers are not good to use as lipstick. – Lauren, 9 
\nDon’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat. – Joel, 10 
\nNever try to baptize a cat. – Eileen, 8<\/p>\n

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Wisdom advice comes on the news, in the classroom, at church. Sometimes even on billboards or graffiti. I read a quote today that said, if at first you do not succeed, skydiving is not for you. That cracks me up. What does it mean to be successful or prosperous? Is it for everyone or just a select few? Whosoever wills applies to everyone when it comes to salvation. In 2 Kings, the book about King Solomon we find out his secret to success within the first few chapters:<\/p>\n

2 kings 2:2-4<\/p>\n

 ^{<\/sup><\/strong>\u201cI am about to go the way of all the earth,\u201d he (David) said. \u201cSo (Solomon) be strong, act like a man, 3 <\/sup><\/strong>and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience<\/strong> to Him, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper <\/strong>in all you do and wherever you go 4 <\/sup><\/strong>and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: \u2018If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully<\/strong> before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.\u2019<\/p>\n}

Boy, oh boy does that mean that if EVERYONE did that, America would be great? That sounds like an awesome political promise as well as a spiritual one. Hmm. It was a gold deal for Solomon that can apply to us today. John said it this way, \u201c^{2 <\/sup><\/strong>Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2. <\/p>\n}

There seems to be a theme threaded among these books \u2013 listen and obey. Whether it was to sons, judges or Kings, God required their obedience to HIS ways vs. their own.<\/p>\n

Kings 3: 3-9<\/p>\n

 ^{<\/sup><\/strong>And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. (Lord take out all the \u201cexcepts\u201d in our life!)<\/p>\n}

^{4 <\/sup><\/strong>Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was<\/em> the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 <\/sup><\/strong>At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, \u201cAsk! What shall I give you?\u201d<\/p>\n}

^{6 <\/sup><\/strong>And Solomon said: \u201cYou have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth,<\/strong> in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is<\/em> this day. 7 <\/sup><\/strong>Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am<\/em> a little child; I do not know how<\/em> to go out or come in. 8 <\/sup><\/strong>And Your servant is<\/em> in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 <\/sup><\/strong>Therefore give to Your servant an ^{b<\/a>]”>[b<\/a>]<\/sup>understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?\u201d<\/p>\n}}

^{10 <\/sup><\/strong>The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 <\/sup><\/strong>Then God said to him: \u201cBecause you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself<\/strong>, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 <\/sup><\/strong>behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 <\/sup><\/strong>And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 <\/sup>So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen^c<\/a>]”>[}c<\/a>]<\/sup> your days.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second wisest man that ever lived as we have learned by reading these verses had exceptions in his walk \u2013 sin. He married dreadfully wrong and got carried away with his decorating skills. However, this man, the son of the man known for being a man after God\u2019s heart had a lot to say about wisdom. Proverbs shared a bit of that wisdom with us.<\/p>\n

Psalms tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10. A life lived after God will display God\u2019s signature on humanity. We can choose our folly or God\u2019s wisdom. The results will glorify us or God- we choose daily whom we will serve.<\/p>\n

This week I needed guidance and my friend Betty looked at me and said, \u201cGod gives wisdom to those who ask for it.\u201d She is so right. James says, \u201cIf any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.\u201d  Our response of love is to walk in the wisdom given.<\/p>\n

We can read these passages and learn about the Kings, but we can also get a glimpse of THE King and surrender our lives to Him and His Kingdom. Lord, give us your wisdom and give us a discerning heart to know Your will.  If the King is on the throne of your heart you will be lead by Him in His ways. To ask Him to be your Lord and Saviour visit the website and look under the Spiritual rest section. That decision of obedience makes the difference in everything.<\/p>\n

Jesus, be the king of our hearts, the obedience of our lives and the leader of our wills. Amen. <\/p>\n