Wisdom is not just a lofty ideal; it's the key to everyday success. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 122 Q. What does the second request mean? A. “Your kingdom come” means, Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil’s work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word. Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all. Summary There are many ways that God cares for his people. God’s provision through wisdom is detailed in Proverbs chapter 2. Wisdom is not something that comes from within, but it comes from God's mouth and is revealed to us through the scriptures. This wisdom works as a shield for the people of God, guarding the paths of righteousness. This wisdom is eminently practical and useful; the Lord "holds success in store for the upright" (those who walk according to His wisdom), and those who avail themselves of this wisdom will know "what is right and just and fair - every good path." God's wisdom will also "save you from the ways of wicked men." Dig Deeper Through the course of life, it can be easy to forget that God is not an absent observer to creation. We continue to be sustained by his care and provision. This is what we call the providence of God. When it comes to God’s care, it is usually tangible examples that first come to mind. The heat of the sun, the air in your lungs, and even the gravity that keeps you on the ground are acts of God’s provision. These are the types of examples that come easiest because you can see and feel them. Despite not being as tangible as some of the other ways that God provides, wisdom is nonetheless an act of God’s provision. God uses his wisdom to watch over his saints and guard us from the influence of those this proverb names as “evil men”. This protection is from the ways of the world, which lead down a path of darkness. This is one of the ways that God preserves his church. Yes, God provides through the physical protection of his people. However, God also protects the church through the giving of wisdom and guarding us from drifting into the influence of the world. As you continue to count your blessings today, remember to thank God for the gift of wisdom and his work of preserving his church against the ways of darkness. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who who gives wisdom; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will learn, use, and benefit from God's wisdom in your life; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 2 Peter 3

As a Spirit filled Christian, you have the unique ability to think correctly. 1 Corinthians 2:10–14 ( Today: Galatians 1

hovering over the waters of the deep as God the Father begins to speak the world into existence (Gen. 1:

the invisible things of God: his eternal power and his divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1: He said, "Repent (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15)."

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 1 Corinthians 10

In Romans 4:2, Paul drives home that it was faith, not works, that declares one legally right before devastating nature and condemnation of sin before a completely Holy God (see yesterday’s passage Eph. 2:1– is for you; ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Ephesians 1

you, was a child of God, chosen by the King of kings, even before the universe was created (Ephesians 1: 4).

certainly not wrong to say this, for the Bible often equates Jesus with forgiveness (Matt. 26:28, Luke 24:47 , Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:13-14, 1 John 2:12, just to name a few). those who cross His good and perfect will, making forgiveness possible, as Paul writes in Ephesians 1: 4, "just as in Christ, God forgave you."

Paul provides his own response and summary of God’s work of redemption in Ephesians 1:3–14. The only action attributed to the recipients of this amazing grace is hearing and believing it (1:13) salvation; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will respond to the gospel like Paul in Ephesians 1:

Hebrews 11:1–3 (NIV) 11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not