Wisdom
Good Wednesday to you and a Happy September as well!
This past Sunday we took a hard look at wisdom. Wisdom – who wouldn’t want wisdom? Of course, it really is a question about what kind of wisdom is being offered. James makes it clear that there is wisdom from above and "wisdom" from below. To understand which wisdom is operating in our lives, we need to do a "deep dive" into our souls. If we find bitterness, envy, and selfish ambition, we have some even deeper issues with which to wrestle.
Remember, wisdom from above is free for the asking (James 1:5) and it is a gift that results in peace, mercy, good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), and a bunch of other great things like an abundant life living in God's kingdom. Wisdom from above is absolutely necessary if we are going to trust in the sovereignty of God amidst all the challenges our world and our nation are facing. With God’s wisdom, we can rest assure it will be "well with our souls."
I was asked to give you the 10 Lessons we have "learned" from history from Dr. J. Rufus Fears. Here they are:
1. We do not learn from history
2. Science and technology do not make us immune to the laws of history
3. Freedom is not a universal value
4. Power is the universal value
5. The Middle East is the crucible of conflict and the graveyard of empires
6. The United States shares the destinies of the great democracies, the republics, and the superpowers of the past
7. Along with the lust for power, religion and spirituality are the most profound motivators in human history
8. Great nations rise and fall because of human decisions made by individual leaders
9. The statesman is distinguished from a mere politician by four qualities: a bedrock of principles, a moral compass, a vision, and the ability to create a consensus to achieve that vision
10. Throughout its history, the United States has chartered a unique role in history
Next Sunday we will continue our trek through James, looking closely at the first 10 verses of the fourth chapter.
Again, thank you all for your kind words and your support. We are pressing on for the glory of God!
Grace and peace,
Pastor David
If you missed this Sunday’s sermon, click here to listen now!
