Wisdom

Poor Decisions

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and discretion.
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.
I have counsel and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.
By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.
I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and righteousness.
My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
    and filling their treasuries.  Proverbs 8:12-21

We will all at one time or another make a poor decision. In hindsight, it may be morally bad. It might be blatantly stupid. At the moment of truth, it will reveal our ignorance on the matter. We may destroy our bank account. We may lose the love of a relationship. We may even cause the death of another. Or even severely damage oneself. Yet the world around us will keep on going forward. The question is how will we respond?

We will all make a poor decision somewhere in our life. How we respond and move forward though will separate the adult from the child in the room. In baseball, a top-performing batting average is three-hundred. It implies the batter failed seven of ten times. Yet he is at the top of his game. In trading the markets, a trader can be right fifty-percent of the time and make money. Thus, not all decisions produce productive outcomes. But how one manages the moments of failure separates the winner from the loser in life.

Life is a learning process preparing one for eternity. Yes, good, better, and the best decisions possible are the hallmarks of a worthwhile life. When one has a long-term view and a clear vision of the outcome, one has an advantage. When you add a foundation of solid principles, the outcome is even better.

Prudence is the ability to use reason and judgment in various situations. It may include managing affairs, avoiding risks, or conserving resources (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Prudence comes from wisdom. Wisdom begins with understanding reality and the Maker of reality. When one comes to know the character and insight of the God of creation, one gains prudence.

For example, science is built on understanding how creation works. When one better understands how creation operates, one learns truths. We begin to see how these truths leave fingerprints of a master designer. The coding of the human DNA requires a highly intelligent coder. The Bible reveals this coder as the Triune God. The Bible also reveals the character and purpose of this God. Through HIS relationship with humanity, we learn more about HIM. To ignore the facts learned throughout Scripture is a denial of history. It also reveals the human potential. It gives great insight and prudence in governing humanity, self, and material resources.

The time to learn how to make prudent decisions begins in the early days of our youth. This is a time where failure can be quickly remedied by one’s parents. But when adulthood is reached, one needs to accept personal responsibility. We most often will fail at anything we attempt the first time. Our response though is how will we proceed. Will we hide under the bed covers or take a proactive approach and become a more prudent person in the process?

Having a relationship with the King of heaven and earth is a great place to be when it comes to learning prudence. As we lean on HIM, he will direct the necessary resources along with HIS grace to help you through the process. It will not be easy. But it will strengthen your character and prepare you for eternity. And perhaps during the process, you may even gain a few materials of comfort. Yes, HE is your key to learning how to be more successful in your walk thru life. It may not be the story you want, but it will be the story you need.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Why Read the Bible?

Dr. Mike 2023, Scriptures , , , , , , ,

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

There are multiple reasons to read the Bible. Though one of the first options you may want to choose is simply to transform your thinking to better understand the mind of God.

My recommendation for those who have not read the Bible and do not know where to start, is to begin with one section – the Book of Ecclesiastes. (I accidentally did over fifty years ago which began a life journey searching for God, Purpose, and Truth). Many scholars believe Ecclesiastes was written approximately three thousand years ago to a worldwide audience responding to life’s more metaphysical questions which are still pertinent today – the pursuit of happiness and meaning.

Afterwards, then begin a plan to read the Bible from the first page in Genesis through the last page in Revelation with only the theme of discovering the mind and character of God. You can skim through many of the details this way and focus on the parts which reveals God’s interaction with humanity and how specific people walked with God. These sections will give you greater insight in who God is and how he relates similarly and differently with people in various circumstances.

Such an exercise will open your mind to better understand who you are choosing to follow in a relational, covenantal agreement. Don’t you want to know everything you can about a person you want to spend the rest of your life within marriage? The same is true with our relationship with the Living God.

On the other hand, if you have a certain topic on your mind, you may want to use an online concordance to search all the Scriptures pertaining to your subject. This is the way I initially started to study the Bible. In fact, the first topic I ever chose to search was money. Since I was going into the business arena and enjoyed making money, I wanted to know everything the Bible discussed on the topic. Years later, I am still learning and still find enjoyment to discover new aspects about money, which was always in the Bible, but now viewed from a more holistic perspective.

You probably have subjects which currently are at the top of your mind. Why not search the pages of the Bible and discover what 1,500 years of collective writings by forty authors assembled together with the same Spirit reveals about human nature, God’s divine nature, and solutions which have proven successful over time?

The pages within the Bible reveal the mind and heart of God in comparison with the heart and mind of humanity. Over time you will acquire knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of how people may best apply themselves to live an enrich and fulfilling life now and hope for the future. You learn how God designed the world with purpose, mapped out for us how best to succeed, and provide the means and resources to live a free, flourishing, and fulfilling life when done according to HIS way.

Yes, it requires relearning the falsehoods taught by this world’s culture, and accepting personal responsibility for one’s choices, but as one learns God’s good Will and lives by HIS way, one moves into a new created order reserved for HIS children who want to experience life the way HE created you and I to live from the beginning of time.

Read the Book. You will be astonished by the insight you gain about yourself, others, and God.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

Available for Your Devotional Study: 

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Scoffer – Simple – Wise      

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , , , ,

Proverbs 21:11

When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

The Book of Proverbs defines three sets of people in regards to their maturity-level: the scoffer (also identified as the mocker), the simple (also known as the fool), and the wise (regarded as prudent).

The simple are those who are found between the wise and scoffer. They are not as prudent as the wise but not as foolish as the scoffer. They are between the two and need to gain knowledge. Some Scriptures regarding the simple are:

Proverbs 14:15

The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs 14:18

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

Proverbs 9:6

Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

Proverbs 22:3

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Scoffers are those who lean far away from the wise and live lives which are self-destructive. Some Scriptures in regard to the scoffer include:

Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.

Proverbs 1:22

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 9:7

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

Proverbs 15:12

A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Proverbs 21:24

“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

Proverbs 22:10

Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease

2 Peter 3:3

…knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires

The wise are those who have learned to acquire knowledge and the prudence how to best use their know-how. Some Scriptures which emphasize being wise include:

Proverbs 3:7

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:35

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 6:6

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

Proverbs 9:12

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 13:20

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 14:16

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly.

Proverbs 15:7

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.

Proverbs 18:15

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

In contrast, the fool is at the extreme opposite of the wise. Some Scriptures which highlight them are:

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:32

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.

Proverbs 8:5

O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

Proverbs 10:14

The wise layup knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

Proverbs 10:23

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.

Proverbs 18:2

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 19:1

Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

Proverbs 26:8

Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.

Proverbs 28:26

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Which are you most often: the scoffer, the simple, or the wise? Whichever one you may most often tend to be, you can change. The fact is: it is better to be wise than not. And wisdom begins with knowledge of the Lord. Without God, life is missing a link. With God, the central core becomes the foundation that leads to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

The Book of Proverbs is the ideal place to begin. You may want to consider reading one chapter per day for the month. There are 31 chapters and each one is loaded with wisdom and advice to help one navigate through the challenges and obstacles life throws your way. Be prudent. Be wise. Become the God-ordained you. Integrate these maxims into your life and let God change you from the inside-out to be wise in your dealings with yourself and others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!