Weekly Thought – August 23, 2016
Fred’s reputation for principle-based thinking continues on as part of his living legacy. His gift for understanding the way things operate and people think gave him great opportunities for his unique contribution.
Please pray for our fall BWFLI schedule. Our teams are diligently preparing for Asbury University and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Peter McNally will be the chapel speaker at Asbury and Steve Brown will challenge the students at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Principal-Based Thinking
While the book of Proverbs says “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” it does not give us a clear and succinct definition of wisdom. Personally, I think of it as the “knowledge and use of divine principles.” As Einstein said, “I want to think God’s thoughts after Him. To me, that is wisdom. Too many make the transition from data to information to knowledge, but fall short of the final step: wisdom.”
The understanding of divine principles is often conceptual and not always captured in chapter and verse. A fine example is the comment from my friend Ray Stedman: “My entire life changed when I realized God is for me.” This encapsulates the principle of God’s love for us.
The first step is acquiring knowledge. My good friend Jack Modesett, Jr. said, “My time at Princeton became enjoyable and profitable when I discovered learning was fun.” He has carried this attitude over into his Bible teaching where he thoroughly enjoys exploring the mysteries of God. Knowledge of God is exciting to Jack.
Another helpful principle: “God will not do for me what I can do for myself and He will not let you do what only He can do.” That is probably my paraphrase, but it has served me well. The Bible is replete with examples of taking the first step. He enables us, but also expects us to use the power He provides.
Oswald Chambers gave me a principle which serves me well during this season of disability. “God will not give you strength to overcome, but strength as you overcome.” Again, I am convinced God gives us the ability to take action. A friend called to ask how I was doing with my physical limitations. He bemoaned my handicaps. I put this principle into practice by responding: “I am not handicapped – I am delightfully dependent.”
What a treasury of wisdom we have in the saints who have gone before us. They point us toward God’s Word as the authority and the true source of wisdom. When we walk in obedience we understand the depth and reality of His divine principles. Fear is the beginning; obedience is the end.
This week think about: 1) Where do I need wisdom this week? 2) How can I grow in obedience? 3) What measures am I using to indicate wise decisions?
Words of Wisdom: “God won’t do for us what we can do for ourselves and He won’t let us do what only He can do.”
Wisdom from the Word: “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore.” (1 Kings 4:29 NET Bible)