Hey, Gracer’s,
Have you ever longed for a deeper understanding of and appreciation for life? Have you ever wrestled with what it means to live the life God has for you?
According to the Bible, the Way of Wisdom is the pathway to life: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. (Psalm 111:10, NRSV)
To fear the LORD is not to be afraid of God but to live dependent on God’s grace and love. In that is found true wisdom.
Starting today we’re beginning a 20-Day adventure following Jesus in the Way of Wisdom. And, as we’ll discover, at the heart of wisdom is the lavish generosity of God, who calls us to be unapologetically generous for the sake of the world God loves.
Pastor Tim
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Two Minute Adventures in… Wonder: Be Curious!
_Day 1: Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD. To fear the LORD is to recognize the wonder and glory of God. To be in awe of God. To know that God is God.
Take 2 minutes today to immerse yourself in wonder: Sit comfortably in a chair or lie down on a bed. Breathe deeply, through your nose, into your abdomen to the count of two. Then breathe out through your mouth to the count of four. Repeat. Repeat one more time.
Now, continuing to breathe, repeat these words
Be still and know that I am God… Be still and know that I am… Be still and know that I… Be still and know that… Be still and know… Be still and… Be still… Be still… Be still… Be still and know that God is God...
_Day 2: The heavens declare the wonder of God… (Psalm 19:1)
Wonder. Noun. A feeling of surprise mingled with admiration caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inextricable.
Take a few moments to ponder these wonder verses:
Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy. (Psalm 65:8, NLT)
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him. For he knows how we were made; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:8-14, NRSV)
_Day 3: Passover was coming up. Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast. They were curious about Jesus. (John 11:56, The Message)
Wonder. Verb. Desire to or be curious to know something.
What is it about Jesus that piques your curiosity? If you could, what three questions would you ask Jesus about himself right now? List them out:
1.
2.
3.
_Day 4: You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9, NLT)
Think about that for a moment. Though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.
Live with the wonder of that for 90 seconds: For my sake he became poor to make me rich.
How did he become poor?
How does that make you rich?
What does that mean right now for your life?
_Day 5: I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots grow down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 5:16-19)
There is a lifetime of wonder to be mined in that prayer through the gift of curiosity. Find a Bible, turn to this passage, and underline the words or phrases that pop out to you. Think about them throughout the day.
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