January 10th & 14th

Radical:
1) very different from the usual or traditional 2) favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions. 3) having a profound or far-reaching effect.

Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us. 19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.” 22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.” But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king. 23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’” 24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!” 27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” 28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

—1 Kings 3:16-28 NIV

Wisdom is the ability to live skillfully in whatever conditions we find ourselves.

7 The wisdom I proclaim is God’s secret wisdom…10 But it was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit.

—1 Chronicles 2:7a, 10 GNT

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

—Proverbs 8:12 KJV

A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great.

—Proverbs 18:16 ESV

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.

—1 Kings 3:7-14 NIV

GIVING: Wisdom is a GIFT.

9 So give your servant …

12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

—1 Kings 3:9,12

But where can wisdom be found?  Where does understanding dwell?
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;  it cannot be found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, “It is not in me”;  the sea says, “It is not with me.” 23 God understands the way to it  and he alone knows where it dwells…

—Job 28:12-14,23 NIV

ASKING. Wisdom is asked for

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

—1 Kings 3:5 NIV

7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.

—1 Kings 3:7 NIV

10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

—1 Kings 3:10 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…

—James 1:5a NIV

WALKING. Wisdom is best lived out

14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

—1 Kings 3:16-28 NIV

One guy said it this way…
We must realize that when we are truly seeking to know the will of God, He will not reveal that will to us as an option. Some would have God lay His will out on the table, along with all the other options. Yet, they reserve the final decision for themselves. Though they definitely want to know God’s will, they will follow it only if they think it is their best option. Their major concern is their will, not Gods. Before they can know God’s will, they must be willing to follow it no matter what might be.

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;  when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

—Proverbs 3:21,24 NIV

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Next Steps:
1. Today, I say “yes” to Jesus for the first time.
2. I will read Proverbs (the book of wisdom) this month using the date as the chapter.
3. I am going to do what God says and not view it as an option.
4. Sign me up for water baptism January 17/21.