Data, knowledge, wisdom. Which is greater? And where do you get it from?  It’s back to school week here in WI so I thought I would focus on learning. Enjoy, and God bless you all this week!

Data.
We have access to lots of data. We live on the Information Superhighway. Anything you want can be found online – good or bad. We have tons and tons of data available to us. But what do you do with it?

Knowledge.
Some say knowledge is power. I beg to differ. Some of the smartest people I know have no common sense whatsoever. I have met person upon person with lots of letters after their name who do not know how to treat people with love or compassion.

Wisdom.
Taking that data and knowledge and knowing how to use it. That’s what I want to learn. And they don’t teach it in school. It’s one of those things we learn on the way.

I want to seek God for wisdom. He told me I could. Even Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew. I could use more wisdom. How about you?

QUOTES ON WISDOM

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:40
And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—

Proverbs 4:6-7
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.  Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Job 28:28
And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.”

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Job 12:12
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 3:7
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 13:1
A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 2:26
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[a] knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Colossians 2:2-4
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 15:12
A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise.

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Proverbs 3:13
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,

Everything with a Place and a Purpose

 Proverbs 16 The Message (MSG) 

Mortals make elaborate plans,
but God has the last word.
Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good;
God probes for what is good.
Put God in charge of your work,
then what you’ve planned will take place.
God made everything with a place and purpose;
even the wicked are included—but for judgment.
God can’t stomach arrogance or pretense;
believe me, he’ll put those upstarts in their place.
Guilt is banished through love and truth;
Fear-of-God deflects evil.
When God approves of your life,
even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.
Far better to be right and poor
than to be wrong and rich.
We plan the way we want to live,
but only God makes us able to live it.

It Pays to Take Life Seriously

A good leader motivates,
doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.
God cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.
Good leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
sound leadership has a moral foundation.
Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
they love advisors who tell them the truth.
An intemperate leader wreaks havoc in lives;
you’re smart to stay clear of someone like that.
Good-tempered leaders invigorate lives;
they’re like spring rain and sunshine.Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money;
choose insight over income every time. The road of right living bypasses evil;
watch your step and save your life.
First pride, then the crash—
the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
It’s better to live humbly among the poor
than to live it up among the rich and famous.
It pays to take life seriously;
things work out when you trust in God.
A wise person gets known for insight;
gracious words add to one’s reputation.
True intelligence is a spring of fresh water,
while fools sweat it out the hard way.
They make a lot of sense, these wise folks;
whenever they speak, their reputation increases.
Gracious speech is like clover honey—
good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.
There’s a way that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Appetite is an incentive to work;
hunger makes you work all the harder.
Mean people spread mean gossip;
their words smart and burn.
Troublemakers start fights;
gossips break up friendships.
Calloused climbers betray their very own friends;
they’d stab their own grandmothers in the back.
A shifty eye betrays an evil intention;
a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.
Gray hair is a mark of distinction,
the award for a God-loyal life.
Moderation is better than muscle,
self-control better than political power.
Make your motions and cast your votes,
but God has the final say.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson