Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Proverbs 3:13-15 NKJV

We need God’s wisdom to help us navigate through the challenges of life. I once heard a preacher combine the two primary Greek New Testament words for wisdom to describe it as “insight into the true nature of things with a view to the end result.” We need that big-picture thinking that God’s wisdom offers.

Look at the context. This is the wisdom corresponding to various trials. In other words, God has answers for every circumstance if we’ll ask and listen.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5

When we face obstacles, God’s wisdom—which transcends people’s good ideas—is available! Ask God for that “spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Ephesians 1:17). He will give you guidance about that broken relationship. He will show you how to restore your finances, get your health back, and get your attitude, mood, and outlook on track. As you seek God for direction, He will walk you through every minefield and Mensa-level maze, and your life will be a testimony of God’s wisdom directing your steps.

Press on!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:26-28

We are called to a dynamic life of prayer, but not alone: we have the advantage of the Holy Spirit’s help. Prayer is going before the Lord with the authority He’s delegated to us and exerting that influence by the power of the name of Jesus to impact the world we live in. Great social changes are attributed to believers who prayed.

Pray frequently. God has called us to pray all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is not a dutiful thing—the Holy Spirit is activating us to do business with God and push back darkness. So get in the habit of praying the first two minutes of everything you do: when you get on an airplane, right before an important phone call, before a test, in the car. Get in the habit of taking everything to God in prayer.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 NKJV*

Pray passionately. “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]” (James 5:16b AMP**). Pray specifically. Know specifically what you are believing God for. And if you don’t know exactly what to pray, the Holy Spirit is right there to intercede on your behalf.

God wants our church to have a revolutionary experience in terms of fruitfulness. Revolutionary things happen in these times of prayer. When you get up in the morning pray 120 seconds: praise God and worship Him, pray for wisdom, pray out what you know to pray, pray in the Spirit, pray out things about your future, pray out things that bug you. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

God is able,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. *New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.** Amplified Bible. Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” John 14:16

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent us the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, to give us power to fulfill the call of God. “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning” (John 15: 26-27).

Get informed concerning things of the Spirit. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware” (1 Corinthians 12:1). Search the Scriptures and learn what it takes to flow in and obey the Holy Spirit.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

If you’ve let yourself become apathetic through disappointments in life, let the Scriptures revive you. If you’ve felt confused, the Holy Spirit is the very embodiment of understanding and wants to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17). Choose to wake each morning with an attitude of expectancy and take time to look in the mirror of God’s Word. We are not called to be observers on the sidelines but frontline participants of the great things God is doing throughout the earth.

Moving Forward,
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. Proverbs 3:13-18 NKJV

If you want to give your life to the pursuit of anything, give yourself to the pursuit of wisdom. Whatever your education level or cultural background, Jesus wants to give wisdom to every man, woman, and child. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). The Creator, the very Essence of what life is about, is inviting you to ask Him for wisdom.

[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-19a

King Solomon understood that he needed a spirit of wisdom to fulfill what God had called him to do—lead the people of Israel. “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10). Because Solomon asked for wisdom instead of riches, God granted him wisdom and gave him long life and riches besides.

Wisdom is the ability to see how situations relate to the present, how to handle those situations, and how present situations will affect the future. Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30), is asking us to follow His voice instead of the voices and language of the day. When we reverentially consider what God’s heart is toward something, it will help us with everything—our job decisions, our finances, and our relationships. No success principle is better than the wisdom of God. He has the answers to questions you haven’t even formulated yet. So get in the Word and ask God for wisdom. He’ll give it to you.

Pursue Wisdom,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2009 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.