By: Jeff Watley

Proverbs 19:20  Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. I wish I knew then what I know now. I believe we all have said this statement at one time or another. Abraham Lincoln said, “I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” Does this not carry with it the idea that we gain wisdom with age through experience?

Wisdom can be defined as the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. This is the ability to have insight, common sense, and display good judgment. Some believe wisdom is best described as practical knowledge or making the best use of knowledge.

There are ways to gain wisdom, and I plan to discuss just a few. The first way is the most painful. That is the trial-and-error method. Through your judgments and decisions, you can learn a lot from mistakes and bad choices. Even though pain is a great learning device, there is a better way to increase wisdom. We should seek out those who have had more life experience or have knowledge in the specific field or subject. Seeking advice is a great option if you choose your source carefully and cautiously.

Look at the example of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. In 1 Kings Chapter 12, we read of Rehoboam reigning after the death of Solomon. Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel gave Rehoboam sound advice to lower the burden of the people.

Instead of heeding the advice of the elders, Rehoboam consulted the young men and spoke to the people according to the advice given him by the young men.

This would lead to the rebellion and division of the Kingdom. We learn the destructive results of seeking advice from questionable people and those lacking the proper experience.

We should seek to hear counsel and receive instruction for those who imitate Christ. This is spoken by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” We seek the advice he gives in his epistles, which are inspired by God and delivered to man through the Holy Spirit.

We should also apply instructions seen in the proper examples shown by godly people. Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

If we follow the advice and instruction set forth in the Bible, we will be wiser in thy latter end.

By: Kevin Cauley

Praise God that He is not absent from this world.

In fact, He has created all of us with the purpose that man “should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him…” (Acts 17:27). You and I are built with an instinct seeking God to know Him, but the last part of Acts 17:27 is most encouraging, “though He is not far from each one of us.” God has not left us as “babes in the woods” but freely reassures us that He is there for us, ready to offer help, and ready to accept our worship. He’s close, but how close? He’s close enough to each one of us that:

By: Mike Riley

In Paul’s letter to the Colossian brethren, he encourages them with these inspired words:

“For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ” (Colossians 2:5).

As a congregation of the Lord’s people, do we give our guests reason to “rejoice to see our good order” as an assembly of God’s people, and to witness the steadfastness of our faith in the Lord?

By: Andy Baker.

Being God’s Son, that is, God’s chosen King, Jesus made many speeches to help people know what the kingdom of heaven would be like (Matt. 3:17; Ps. 2:7; Heb. 1:5). Matthew in particular details these speeches to help his Jewish audience know about the King and His kingdom. Each speech section ends with: “When He finished these sayings…” (Matt. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). Notice characteristics of what Jesus emphasized about the kingdom of heaven:

The King’s Speech #1 – Matthew 5-7: Righteousness in the Kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount begins with a blessed character of heart that is molded and shaped by God’s will, and the sermon ends with a warning to always hear and do God’s will (Matt. 5:1-12; 7:21-27). This type of righteousness stands in stark contrast to the righteousness of the Pharisees as detailed through the main body of this sermon (Matt. 5:20-7:20). Jesus wants His kingdom to know that true righteousness does not consist in an outward show, but rather that right actions will proceed from an obedient, submissive heart to God’s will.

The King’s Speech #2 – Matthew 10: Preaching about the Kingdom. The main thrust of this lesson is for those (specifically the apostles) who are preaching the good news of the kingdom (Matt. 10:6-8). Jesus very clearly identifies that the preaching of the kingdom will bring persecution, pain and hardship to those who preach. However, Jesus shows that a steadfast reliance on God, His care, and His promised reward should always be the focus of those who preach (Matt. 10:9-10, 18-19, 28, 39, 42).