Wisdom

Which Way?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

“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.” Romans 12:2

Discern, Test, Prove…

One reason we read the Bible is to better understand the Will of God. As we digest the historical accounts in their context, we learn their application.

Over time we learn that God’s Will can be categorized under three channels. I’m sure there may be other ways to simplify a complex subject, but I have found this way the easiest to digest. HIS Will can be summarized as either Providence, Moral, or Personal. Providence pertains to HIS Will from a global perspective. The application is universal. An example is HIS plan of salvation or HIS goal to have an eternal family. The Moral aspect pertains to what is right and wrong in relationships. Examples are many: should I steal this? Should I commit adultery with my neighbor’s wife? What is the problem if I make up lies about that person? Then there is the Personal Will. This is what many of us mean when speaking about God’s Will. What does God want me to do at this time and place? Some examples are: who should I marry? Where should I live? What field of study should I choose? What church should I attend?

God’s Will most often comes to the scene when we are at a crossroad of a personal life-decision. This is where many of us freeze. I have found at times like this there are two types of decision-making methods employed. One is the Sign method and the other is the Wisdom method. Both methods use prayer to seek God’s Will. Both have their time and place. Both produce fruit and long-term benefits.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 1:22 that Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom. This is the same two methods still in use today when discernment is required.

Like the name implies, the Sign method seeks an answer from God via “a sign.” The difficulty with this method is interpreting the message from the sign. For example, you asked God for help because your car is in the shop and you need to get somewhere highly important. You go to bed and have a dream that a person you never seen before pulls up your driveway in a sports car. You wake up and interpret the dream as God is going to send you someone in such a car. Meanwhile, while walking your dog, your neighbor asks if you know anyone who needs a bike. He purchased a new one and was looking to donate it to someone in need. You reply no. Then walk away thinking all the people you know who have a sports car that may stop by and pick you up. Taking a bicycle to solve your immediate problem didn’t cross your mind. The problem is we look at the dream and expect God to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s and match the dream as is. In hindsight, we may realize the dream was a dream, but your neighbor was being Jesus to you at the moment. Pedaling a bicycle wasn’t in your plans nor the sign you were looking for. But Jesus provides for our needs many times in the most unexpected ways. Looking for signs leaves the possibility of missing out on the best answer at the moment. In some ways, looking for a sign removes you from exercising prudence in the situation. You are also removing personal responsibility for your actions. If things don’t pan out, you get to blame God.

The Wisdom approach is based on developing judgemental leadership skills. The foundation is studying God’s Word and learning to apply it in all situations. Yes, when one prays, one is seeking not an answer, but assurance. Romans 12:2 states we are to discern, test, and prove what is the Will of God. That requires us to study the lessons from the Bible. It requires us to spend time in prayer with our Heavenly Papa. It requires us to lean on Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the situation. Not necessarily for a specific outcome, but for the help to analyze the situation, make a plan of action, and then execute it. It requires us to exercise judgement. To learn how to best serve ourself and others in the process. The Triune God Way.

Most Christ-followers will start their walk under the sign method. And God will work with you through the process. You will eventually learn how God communicates with you and you with HIM. We are all wired differently yet the same. And we receive communications from God in many different ways. The more we spend time with HIM, the quicker we will learn. It may start with signs. Followed by nudges. Maybe the same spoken words from strangers over a period of time. You may receive dreams or visions. But not have the gift to interpret. So you find someone who over time has proven themselves to do so.

As you grow in Christ, HE will give you more leeway to make decisions based on your analysis. You will learn whatever decision you make, you are not afraid of failure, for HE is always with you. HE will help you through the process. As you grow in HIS grace and knowledge, you begin to see the world through HIS eyes. Your worldview changes. You will still make errors of judgement. But will learn from them. You will come to the place you realize the most important decision is to lean on HIM through the process. Seek wisdom. Make a plan. Execute. And follow through. Your mission is to test, discern, and prove your decision. You will not know if it is good, better, or the best until down the road. But you will learn to make prudent decisions based on the known facts and circumstances at that time.

Remember, life is a training-process preparing one for eternity with Jesus. Making decisions is part of the program. The benefit Christ-followers have is living under the umbrella of God’s Kingdom now. HE is always with us. HIS grace overflows upon us. We are being trained to lead and serve in HIS Kingdom now and in the new age to come. Discerning, testing, and proving is part of the training process to become more like Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

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“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)

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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)

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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

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