Wisdom

Mother Load

August 16, 2015January 11, 2017pjimgallagher1 Comment

Job 28:12
“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?”

Job is considered to be the oldest book in the Bible. It may have been written as many as four thousand years ago. Job declares, during his day, men were involved in mining the earth in search of precious stones. He refers to successful expeditions in search of silver, gold, copper, iron and sapphire. No doubt, great wealth and power came as a result of their findings. Yet, with all of man’s endeavors, Job declares they had failed to find the source of true wisdom. It cannot be located in the depths of the earth, or be purchased for the price of gold.

Job 28:14-15 “The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; and the sea says, ‘It is not with me. ’ It cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price.”

The problem is not a lack of worldly wisdom, but that the world lacks true wisdom. Even the greatest fool thinks he has life figured out, and will happily pour forth his advice or counsel; sometimes, even if we have not requested it. We cannot turn on the TV or radio without someone declaring their wisdom, and exhorting us to live a certain way. The problem is, the wisdom of the world is like fools gold. It shines, sparkles and has the appearance of something valuable, but lacks any real purchasing power. Imagine what it would be like for a miner who struck a vein, only to find out later, what he found was of no value. In a world searching aimlessly for wisdom, and seemingly willing to listen to all kinds of folly, Job uncovers the secret chamber in which true wisdom will be found.

Job 28:28 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding. ’”

When we decide to live for Christ, and according to the principles of His Word, we are on the road to finding wisdom. To fear God is to seek wisdom; to do what is pleasing to Him. This will always lead us to walk away from sinful behaviors, and to make choices to do things His way. Any advice that puts us at odds with the Word of God, is not true wisdom.

A person who will surrender to the Lord and live in obedience to His word, is like a miner who hits the mother lode. The wisdom of God will bring unimaginable riches to the child of God.

Pastor Jim

May 25, 2015May 25, 2020pjimgallagher3 Comments

1 Kings 4:30
“Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.”

Solomon was known for his great wisdom. We are told his understanding of psychology, botany and biology surpassed the great teachers of his day. We find people from all over the Middle East would travel to hear him speak, and when they left, they declared that the rumors of his intellect did not do justice to how brilliant he really was. The most remarkable thing about his abilities is where they came from. As we read his Biblical biography, we find these gifts were God-given and purchased through prayer.

The early years of Solomon’s life gave no evidence of a truly gifted young man. His father doubted his ability, and when he was told by God to pass the kingdom to Solomon, he all but refused. It was not until his hand was forced by the threat of civil war, that he gave the crown to his young son. David declared, “My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, is young and inexperienced…” (1 Chronicles 29:1). His father’s cabinet saw nothing remarkable in Solomon, and when Adonijah attempted to take the throne, many of David’s counselors joined him, rather than Solomon. Even Solomon, himself, doubted his abilities and prayed,

1 Kings 3:7-8 “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.”

It seems clear, Solomon was a man of average abilities who was being called to a task way beyond himself. The beauty of Solomon’s story is that God would provide what was lacking in his life. We read, upon realizing his inability, Solomon began to seek the Lord, and in a time of praise and petition, he encounter the promises of God. Solomon heard God promise to provide him with the wisdom he needed to carry out the call.

This is always the method of God. He will call us to areas of ministry that are beyond our capacities, but as we seek Him, He promises to provide all that we need. Scripture, history, and our modern world, all attest that God will provide all that is necessary for us to accomplish that to which He has called us. Our fame may never reach that of Solomon’s, but we can be sure, the promises of God will never fail, and we can serve in whatever capacity He has called us.

Pastor Jim

Divided Heart

May 25, 2015January 2, 2017pjimgallagher2 Comments

1 Kings 3:3
“And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.”

Throughout his life Solomon showed evidence of his love for the Lord. He wrote three thousand proverbs to instruct young men how to walk pleasing to the Lord. Although only a few remain, we are told he also wrote over one thousand songs. Because of the influence of his father, it is safe to say, most of these would have been songs of worship. Solomon also spent the early years of his reign building the Temple, so Israel would have a permanent structure in which to worship he Lord. All of this attests to the statement that, “Solomon loved The Lord.” The problem arises when we continue reading the verse and find, along with his love, he had what the text calls “an exception.” Solomon loved The Lord except…”

For Solomon, this exception was a divided heart. He loved God, but he also loved women, and married hundreds of them. Many of these women were foreigners, and in order to please them, he erected altars or even temples to their false gods. This double devotion led Solomon further and further away from the Lord, and sowed seeds that would ultimate cause the collapse of the nation. His life proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the truth of the Jesus’ words:

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other…”

It is important that we carefully examine our lives to determine whether we are dividing our devotion between the Lord and the things of the world. James reminds us, love for the things that God opposes, puts us at enmity with God (James 4:4). Instead of having Him on our side, helping us to become the person He designed us to be, we find ourselves constantly fighting against Him, in order to do things that He forbids.

The danger is, these exceptions will become the rule. What started out as a little compromise, became the defining element of Solomon’s life.

Pastor Jim

Persuasion

April 25, 2015December 31, 2016pjimgallagher1 Comment

Acts 27:11
“Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.”

After appealing to Caesar, Paul was sent on the long journey to Rome. He was to stand trial for the accusations brought against him by the religious leaders of Jerusalem. Paul was released from his Caesarean prison and placed in the care of Julius, a Roman centurion. Acts 27-28 records the story of their journey to Rome. Right away, this journey faced obstacles.

Due to headwinds, travel was extremely slow and they reached Fair Havens very late in the season. The later their arrival, the greater their chances of encountering a storm that would threaten their travels, and their lives. Julius was responsible, not only for Paul, but other prisoners who were also under his care. He had a difficult decision to make. Do they press on this late in the season, or do they wait out the winter in Fair Havens?

Like most of us, when facing decisions, he sought the counsel of others. He spoke with the owner of the ship, who had a financial interest in the trip; as well as the captain of the ship, who knew the seas well. They both assured him of a safe journey. Then he received counsel from Paul; their journey would end in disaster. Julius was persuaded by the counsel of men and ignored the counsel of God. In the end, the ship was lost, their lives were threatened and they were shipwrecked on an island. It is not difficult to understand why Julius would listen to the captain and owner, while ignoring Paul. I mean, Paul was not a sailor, but a scholar and prisoner heading to trial.

I think we always assume we have good reasons when we allow ourselves to be persuaded by the counsel of men and to ignore the instructions of God. However, I think we always have good reason to obey the Words of God. This morning, in whatever you are facing, will you allow the Word of God to persuade you, or will you be tossed around by the counsel of men?

Pastor Jim

This Is Wisdom

March 18, 2015December 29, 2016pjimgallagher2 Comments

Deuteronomy 4:6
“Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”

Life is a lot like a journey on a road we have never traveled before. We often face forks in the road without clear signage, and are left to do our best to make a good decision. If there is one thing we need in life, it is wisdom. Webster’s dictionary defines wisdom as “the ability to discern” and “good sense.” We might best understand it as, “knowing what to do.” In life, we often face challenges we do not have answers for, and we need wisdom.

Naturally speaking, wisdom comes from personal experience or the experience of others. If I touch a hot stove and burn my finger, I learn not to touch hot stoves. Or, if I listen to the advice of someone who has burned his finger, I can avoid the same fate. The Bible declares that wisdom also comes from the Word and the Spirit.

Paul declared, all wisdom and knowledge is hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). James went on to add, if we lack wisdom we can ask God and He will provide it generously (James 1:5). It is Moses who declares how it is provided. Referring to the Word of God, Moses declared “this is your wisdom.” He added, when we put into practice the teaching of the Word, the unbelieving world will be astonished by our great wisdom. This might not happen over night, but as you daily walk with the Lord, putting His Word into practice in your life, you will develop a life that is honoring to God, abundant for you, and works as a light drawing others to Christ.

The key to wisdom is walking in the Word. Whatever you are facing, look into the Word for answers. As you apply the teaching of Scripture to your marriage, family, occupation, finances, free time, attitude, etc., you will find you are filled with the wisdom of God.

Pastor Jim

Impulsive

December 19, 2014December 17, 2016pjimgallagher1 Comment

Proverbs 19:2
“Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet.”

Marketers have realized that people are impulsive by nature. As a result, it is common to find a variety of “impulse items” located near the checkout stand in just about every store. These items are things we did not plan to purchase, but bought on a whim, and include items like gum, candy or DVD’s. For the most part, these are not high dollar purchases, and getting caught up in the moment, will not break most budgets. Buying an unplanned Snickers bar on the way out of the convenience store, will probably not have long lasting economic repercussions on your life. If however, you purchase big ticket items, without giving adequate time to consider all the ramifications, that can be very costly.

The same is true with all decisions in life. You do not need to call a church prayer meeting, or spend time fasting, when you are determining whether to order chicken or fish. The big decisions, like who you will spend the rest of your life with, should however, be considered slowly, carefully, and with wise counsel. Solomon is reminding us, when we rush into things that we should walk slowly towards, we will end up in sin.

“Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, and he sins who hastens with his feet.”

Notice the contrast he makes between impulse and knowledge. Knowledge is something acquired over time, with careful study, examining correct resources. I remember a cartoon as a child where Bugs Bunny spent the day explaining the story of the founding of the United States to his nephew. He told wild stories of rabbits influencing the greatest moments in American history. His nephew was an avid student, hanging on every word Bugs shared. The next day he came home from school with a dunce cap on his head. It was not that he didn’t acquire knowledge; it was that he went to the wrong source. The same can happen to us. If we want to avoid making foolish, hasty and impulsive decisions, we need to look into the Word of God for guidance. It takes time to uncover the path God would have you walk, but it is worth the time it takes. Before making another big decision, and perhaps another big mistake, take time to consider the Word and to get some healthy Biblical counsel.

Pastor Jim

A Fork In The Road

December 8, 2014January 5, 2016pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Proverbs 8:2 “She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet.”

Have you ever been following someone’s directions to a place you have never been, and encountered an unexpected fork in the road? When that happens, we are forced to stop, study the map again, ask for help, and make a decision as to which way to go. Solomon tells us, that in life, when we encounter the unexpected fork in the road, wisdom is there to meet us, and provide direction for our lives. While wisdom is always available to us, there are times when it may be more difficult to know the right path to take. Solomon gives a description of wisdom so we will be able to recognize it the next time we are in need.

Proverbs 8:7 “For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.”

God’s wisdom will always lead us away from wickedness and sin. Late,r Solomon defines the fear of the Lord as hating evil (Proverbs 8:13). Any direction that leads you closer to sin, or away from fellowship with God, is not the way of wisdom. If you are trying to decide whether to go out with the guy from work, look at his life. Has he been showing evidence that he wants to walk with, serve and please God? If you are trying to decide about a move. Is there a healthy church nearby where you will be able to continue to grow in Christ and raise your family around the things of the Lord? The way of wisdom always leads us toward the Lord.

Proverbs 8:12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.

Wisdom does not travel alone, she has a partner named Prudence. Prudence is defined as the ability to govern oneself, especially as it related to being circumspect in times of peril. We are able to recognize the way of wisdom when we realize that God’s way will always lead us to denying the flesh, and to personal growth in Christ. We were all taught about adrenaline and the body’s “fight or flight” reaction to danger. It is natural for all of us to want to avoid danger or difficulty; to choose the easy road over the difficult one. There are times, however, when God wants us to take the more challenging road, because He desires to do a work within us. That work will always involve the cutting away of the flesh. While that may be difficult, the end of that road, is our becoming the persons God created us to be, in Christ.

Proverbs 8:20 “I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice”

Righteousness, like holiness, is a word we sometimes struggle to define. I recently saw a sign that referred to a location as a holy site, and stated “no smoking, bare feet or loud talking.” Apparently, their definition of holy was to be quiet, not smoke and have covered toes. Biblical righteousness is best defined as becoming more like Jesus, and the path of wisdom always leads us to Christ.

Proverbs 8:23 “I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.”

Solomon takes us back to the very beginning, when all things were created, and reminds us that wisdom was there. We learn true godly wisdom does not change when culture does. The things that will lead us toward or away from God, do not change like the tide. Cultural mores may be different now than they were back in the “good old days”, but the wisdom of God has not changed. Regardless of what Hollywood says, or what new laws are passed in Washington, the wisdom of God will never change. Sin will always be sin, and righteousness will always be righteousness. Wisdom and prudence lead us to knowledge and discretion.

Let’s be sure, as we face a fork in the road, that we are looking for signs that point to heaven’s wisdom.

Pastor Jim

Willing To Change

December 5, 2014January 5, 2016pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Hosea 5:4
“They do not direct their deeds
Toward turning to their God,
For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst,
And they do not know the Lord.”

I have often sat at my desk across from people who, while living without any regard for what the Bible says, still claim to know God. They might declare how important God is to them or even that they love Him. However, when their lifestyle is confronted by what the Bible teaches, they become angry and unwilling to change. The real evidence that a person is a child of God is not that they live a perfect life. Instead, it is how willing they are to change when confronted by the Scriptures.

When I first became a Christian I had no idea what God required of me. I found myself daily challenged by what the Bible taught. I had to make changes in my private and my public life. My goals, and the way I would choose to achieve them, were impacted by the teachings of Scripture. Even now, as I daily read the Word, I am confronted and challenged. The Bible is constantly tweaking and changing my thinking and behaviors.

If you are unwilling to allow the Scriptures to confront, challenge, and change your lifestyle, you need to examine whether or not you have ever truly surrendered your life to Christ. Jesus warned, on the final day of judgment, many will find that while they thought they knew the Lord, they had in fact, deceived themselves. On the other hand, if you allow the Word of God to guide, challenge and change your behaviors, you will experience the blessed life. Instead of being afraid of correction, we should look forward to whatever transformation the Lord may bring, through the power of His Word.

Pastor Jim