The Need for Wisdom

To succeed in our endeavors, to decide on things that matter to us, and to solve all our problems require wisdom. Not just the wisdom of imperfect humans who claim to be expert in guidance and counseling, but the wisdom that comes from Someone who is perfect in every way. It is the wisdom of the Almighty God who created humans and thus knows exactly what they need in order to live the best possible life there is amidst this trouble-filled world. Hence, we seek this godly wisdom.

"So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him.  But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about." - James 1:5,6

Yes, according to this Scripture, we can receive wisdom from above and that the Giver gives generously. One requirement, though, to be able to avail of such wisdom is faith. That means that when we ask something from God, we should never doubt whether He will give us or not, but that we should completely trust that He is really willing to bestow it to us, only that we must learn to wait. Being a God of love (1 John 4:8), He definitely desires to give us what He knows can benefit us.

Just imagine a world where all people possess this godly wisdom. It would altogether be the opposite of this present world that we are living in. It would be a world where everyone enjoys life to the full and at peace with one another. 

So then, let's try to make a difference by personally asking for "wisdom from above" that will guide us in our daily life.

God is Our Helper

When fear threatens to paralyze us, the following verses can help us block it from entering our hearts and thus prevent any emotional damage that it might do to us. Meditating on them and implicitly trusting in the One who gave such assurances are the keys to unlock their true power.

"...be of good courage and say: 'Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"

-Proverbs 13:6

photo by Charlene N.K.

"In God I have put my trust. 

I shall not be afraid.

What can earthling man do to me?"

-Psalm 56:11

photo by Charlene N.K.

"You have drawn near in the day that I kept calling you. You said:

 'Do not be afraid.'"

- Lamentations 3:57

photo by Charlene N.K.

"Do not be afraid because of their faces, for ‘I am with you to deliver you,’ is the utterance of Jehovah."

- Jeremiah 1:8

photo by Charlene N.K.

What God's Word Can Do to Us

The wise King Solomon said, "To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion [to them] is wearisome to the flesh." (Ecclesiastes 12:12) This is true as regards the endless publication of books today, which would sometimes wear us down when we try to read many of them.

However, there is a book that is not only delightful and refreshing to read, but can also help us in every aspect of our lives. This book contains guidance, laws and principles that are not burdensome to follow at all but are a source of pleasure if we truly endeavor to apply them in our lives. 

God's Word is as refreshing as the raindrops

"The law of Jehovah is perfect, bringing back the soul.
The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, 
making the inexperienced one wise.
The orders from Jehovah are upright, 
causing the heart to rejoice;
The commandment of Jehovah is clean, 
making the eyes shine.
The fear of Jehovah is pure, standing forever.
The judicial decisions of Jehovah are true;
they have proved altogether righteous.
They are more to be desired than gold, 
yes, than much refined gold;
And sweeter than honey and the flowing honey 
of the combs."
- Psalm 19:7-10

Yes, God's Word, the Bible, is not wearisome to read, but instead, it is a healing to the soul. Isn't it worth our time and effort to read it daily?

(NOTE: In quoting this Scripture, I employed the original rendition of the Hebrew Scriptures with regards  the use of God's personal name.)

Preparing for the Future

Most people today have their minds set on acquiring much material things and make it big in the world. They spend most of their time and energy in working just to have it all or to be economically better off than their friends and neighbors. 

Sometimes, their being busy with such material endeavors leaves them no time for their spiritual needs, which is of paramount importance for a person to have a really meaningful and satisfying life. It's true that material things can do good for our survival, but these cannot give perfect health, extend our lives, keep us away from sickness and accidents, and the likes. 

On the other hand, spiritual riches can benefit us in so many ways even while we live in this wicked and suffering-infested world. They can make our lives truly worth-living and satisfying. Most of all, they can lead us to a future filled with all the things that our hearts desire; to a new paradisaic world where all people will be righteous and perfect and will live eternally just as our loving Creator has purposed it to be. 

It is therefore more important to work harder on acquiring spiritual riches first, that is, pursuing the will of God and abiding by it, than to acquire material things that cannot save us at all and that will be done away with. That means our future, a future that will last forever.

The Scripture below is worth-meditating on.

"For what benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? " - Matthew 16:26

A Light To Guide Us

"Your word is a lamp to my foot,

And a light to my roadway."

-Psalm 119:105

This world is in  dismal state where people grope about in  darkness, not knowing whether there are predators that lurk in some hidden corners and suddenly prance at them. Or there may be some boulders along the way that may cause them to stumble and get hurt.

On this account, we need a lamp to light our road way. According to the aforementioned Scripture, "Your word", referring to the Word of God, is the light that guides us. God's written word, the Bible, is filled with divine guidance and principles that  help us to evaluate our situation and offer us the right course to take. In order to have this light, we must spend some time each day to examine God's Word, meditate on what we read and apply the principles in our lives. If we do this, we can protect ourselves from dangers, and we can walk straight on to success. 

A Promise of Refreshment

"For he has satisfied 

the dried-out soul;

And the hungry soul he has filled 

with good things."

-Psalm 107:9

Our constant daily struggles can make us weary. Pressures and anxieties lie on our shoulders like heavy loads, gradually sapping us of energy. We want to do other things that we truly enjoy but it may not be possible because of the numerous responsibilities that we should primarily accomplish. 

Added to our endeavors to make a living, we also encounter problems with our fellows which can be discouraging and can drain us of what strength is left in us. Our soul becomes "hungry" and "dried-out", as the Scripture says.

Nevertheless, our loving Father has this promise of saturating or fully satisfying us. He sees to it that we can maintain good spiritual and emotional health which are vital for us to keep our joy amid difficulties. Such godly joy prevents us from losing our power to go on living and succeed in whatever we do.

Again, we can see from this passage that God is interested in our feelings as individuals, and he assures us that he will refresh and satisfy us. But for us to benefit from this loving assurance, we must have full trust in him and run to him for assistance. Only then can we truly feel and understand the import of this promise.

The Book That Makes Us Truly Wise and Successful

"This book of the law should not depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night, in order that you may take care to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful and then you will act wisely." - Joshua 1:8

 

 

In an attempt to find ways to improve their lives and to become successful in their endeavors, some people turn to self-help books that claim to have the best solution that people in general are seeking for. They may spend much time searching for the right one from all the innumerable books that have been published, and much money to purchase them. 

On the other hand, there is a book that can certainly help people of all ages and background. It may be an old book, but all its counsel and guidance are up-to-date. They were written purposely for all seasons and for all generations. Millions who have examined the contents of this book and followed the guidance found therein have experienced a truly successful life and lasting joy that springs from a bright hope that the book highlights. It is the hope of a future life in perfection which the book's own Author promised. 

This great book is none other than God's Word, the Bible. It is a living book in the sense that many of the words penned there can touch the hearts of humans and change their lives for the better. Further, many of the prophecies written there are still undergoing fulfillment, which a serious and diligent researcher can clearly see from the ongoing world events.  The fulfillment of these prophecies keeps flowing to its climax when all the world's problems will be completely removed and a new wonderful world will take place.

Everyone can avail of this book for free. A visit to the following link can lead one to reading this book and other related publications online. Reading this book regularly and meditatively, and applying the words in our lives can surely help us to be wise and successful.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/publications/index.htm

We Are Precious in His Eyes

When we lose our sense of self-worth, these two Scriptures remind us that each individual is precious in the eyes of our Creator and Father who deeply cares about us.

 

"Do not two sparrows sell for a coin of small value? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without YOUR Father’s knowledge.  But the very hairs of YOUR head are all numbered.  Therefore have no fear: YOU are worth more than many sparrows."

- Matthew 10:29-31

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt YOU in due time;  while YOU throw all YOUR anxiety upon him, because he cares for YOU." 

- 1 Peter 5:6,7

Keep On Asking, And You Will Receive

Some people don't get what they ask for and  can't find what they're seeking for. This is especially true with regards to their pursuits of material things or emotional needs. However, persistence is one good quality in order to get what one truly needs. In the Scripture below, the Son of God tells his listeners,

“Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened."

- Matthew 7:7,8

This inspirational passage has its more profound application for us as regards our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It is to Him that we ask for whatever we need, but we must ask them in the right way. For instance, in order to have the basic material things that we need, we have to ask him for qualities that enable us to work in order to produce our material necessities. We also need to ask for wisdom and endurance to cope with difficult situations. If we feel that we are too weary or weak to care for our responsibilities, it is urgent that we ask for strength to carry them out.

It's not enough to ask just once though. As the Scripture shows, we must keep on asking. This doesn't mean that the Almighty doesn't hear us the first time we ask. Of course, He knows what we need even before we ask Him. But if we keep on asking Him, we demonstrate that we are sincere in our requests and that we rely on Him and trust that he can give us what we ask for. So we need to keep on asking, not doubting at all that He will provide for us, and we will surely receive.

The Beauty of Our Creator's Law (video version)

A Good Name Is Better Than Riches

"A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one’s being born." - Eccl. 7:1.

One who lives a truly worthwhile life is making a name or a good reputation for himself. To live a worthwhile life means spending one's life in pursuit of the more important things that are essential for survival and for personal spiritual well-being. This also involves the doing of God's will, helping our fellowmen to live a truly meaningful and satisfying life, and giving hope to the less fortunate ones through the good news that our loving Father wants all of us to know, and through practical help.

Doing such things can enrich a person's life and can make a good reputation in God's eyes, which is more valuable than riches. (Matthew 6:19-21) Even when one dies, he keeps living in the hearts of those who know him. Most of all, he lives in the mind of the Almighty Father who promised to reward him with wonderful blessings in the future for maintaining a good name.

Meditations

Meditating on these verses can uplift our spirits and empower us to keep on living in righteousness amid this troubled world.

Assured of Loving Care

 A video based on Psalms 23

Worship That God Approves

Are all religions pleasing to God?

How can we identify the true religion?

Who are God’s true worshipers on earth today?

The way we worship God means either life or death for us. Read more by following the link below.

http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_15.htm

Is Money Your Master or Your Servant?

For many people today, the only thing that really matters in their lives is money. They try to do everything just to have lots of money, even at the expense of their own health and family. They think that money is the key to a successful and happy life, that it can buy everything they need.

Because of such viewpoints, many become extremely anxious if they don't have much money, and so they work so hard to the point that they become slaves of money. Some even develop an illness called "money sickness syndrome", which has already afflicted a large percentage of the world's population.

Are you one of them? To find out what that sickness is and if you're one of its victims, read the following article found in this link.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/200903/article_01.htm

The Book That Answers Life's Big Questions

"READ any newspaper. Look at television, or listen to the radio. There are so many stories of crime, war, and terrorism! Think about your own troubles. Perhaps illness or the death of a loved one is causing you great distress. You may feel like the good man Job, who said that he was “drenched with misery.”—Job 10:15, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today.

Ask yourself:

• Is this what God purposed for me and for the rest of mankind?
• Where can I find help to cope with my problems?
• Is there any hope that we will ever see peace on the earth?

 The statements above comprise the introduction of this book that's well distributed and read throughout the world. This book, entitled What Does the Bible Really Teach?, has benefited millions of honest-hearted ones searching for answers to life's perplexing questions. Their lives have undergone big changes as they took to heart the message and made efforts to apply what they have learned. They have found true happiness and satisfaction, peace of mind, solutions to their problems, and the hope of a wonderful future.

This book explores the following questions and gives accurate answers based on the Book of all books - God's Word, The Bible.

• Why do we suffer?
• How can we cope with life‘s anxieties?
• How can we make our family life happier?
• What happens to us when we die?
• Will we ever see our dead loved ones again?
• How can we be sure that God will fulfill his promises for the future?

This link directs us to this book, and we can read its content without purchasing it at all. 
http://www.watchtower.org/e/bh/article_00.htm

To Succeed in Everything

I have found this Scripture greatly practical and beneficial  even in these days. By putting it to practice, millions of people worldwide have also been helped to succeed in their efforts to do the right thing. 

"Happy is the man that has not walked in the counsel of the wicked ones,

And in the way of sinners has not stood,

And in the seat of ridiculers has not sat.

But his delight is in the law of Jehovah,

And in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.

And he will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water,

That gives its own fruit in its season

And the foliage of which does not wither,

And everything he does will succeed." - Psalms 1:1-3

How refreshing and rejuvenating it must be for a tree that is growing by streams of water! It gets the perfect amount of nourishment it needs. Wouldn't it be wonderful too if we become like that tree? Our well-being is perfectly nourished, making us fit to live a happy and satisfying life amid all the troubles in this world.

We only need to delight in the law of our Creator found in the greatest book ever written, the Bible.  It's definitely worth our time and effort to examine it, for it will mean so much for us now and in the future.