Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 15 - Stay Humble When God Does Start to Release His Knowledge to You

There are only two downsides to having God start to release His knowledge to you. The first downside is that for some, the increase in their knowledge base will cause them to start to get to full of themselves.

In the verse I will list below, it says that knowledge can “puff up.” In other words, it can puff you up. Your ego starts to swell, and conceit and arrogance can start to set in. You start to think your smarter than anyone else. You start looking down on those who do not have your higher levels of knowledge. Pretty soon, you start to present a haughty, arrogant, and know-it-all attitude to others, and as a result, you start to drive people away from God rather than to Him as a result of your bad attitudes and behaviors.

Once God really starts to release His knowledge to you, you really have to keep a sharp eye on this and make sure that all of this new found knowledge does not start to go to your head. You have to stay humble and thankful for it. It becomes very easy to start looking down on others who are not getting this higher level of knowledge. You start questioning their spiritual growth and why they are not getting what you are getting.

You have to realize that every one is operating at different levels of spiritual development in this life with the Lord. Some will go farther and progress at faster rates of speed in this realm than others will. You cannot compare your level of spiritual development and how fast you are progressing with anyone else. Some people will not go as far as you might go in this realm – but others will leave you in the dust and progress to a much higher level than you ever will in this life.

You have to realize that God is working with each and every Christian at the level of spiritual development they are currently operating at with Him. Granted, some people look like they should be making more and better progress, but there may be some personal factors operating in their lives that may be slowing down their spiritual growth that you may not be aware of. This is why God is telling us in His Word that we are not to judge one another in some of these areas.

Your job is to be the best you can be in whatever God is calling you to do in this life. Put the pedal to the metal in climbing the highest mountains you can. Seek to produce as much good fruit for God as you can. But at the same time, do not ever compare your walk and your fruit in the Lord with anyone else’s. Stay humble in your walk with the Lord, and do not let all the fruit and accomplishments that you might achieve in Him go to your head and puff you up.

Here are two very interesting Scripture verses telling us that knowledge can puff you up and that all men will only “know in part” in this life. In other words – no matter how smart and intelligent you think you may be getting, you will never have all of the answers to everything in this life. This one fact alone should help keep you humble and real as you start to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God for your life.

“We know that we all have knowledge. KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP, but love edifies.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)

"For we KNOW IN PART and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away with … For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:9,12)

~Bible Knowledge.com

~Seeking After the Knowledge of God

PRAYER

Father, I clothe myself with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from me]. I renounce pride and arrogance. Father, You give grace to the humble. Therefore I humble myself under Your mighty hand, that in due time You may exalt me.

In the name of Jesus, I cast the whole of my care [all my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns for my future, once and for all] on You, for You care for me affectionately and care about me watchfully. I expect a life of victory and awesome deeds because my actions are done on behalf of a spirit humbly submitted to Your truth and righteousness.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I refuse to be wise in my own eyes; but I choose to fear You and shun evil. This will bring health to my body and nourishment to my bones.

Father, I humble myself and submit to Your Word that speaks (exposes, sifts, analyzes, and judges) the very thoughts and purposes of my heart. I test my own actions, so that I might have appropriate self-esteem, without comparing myself to anyone else. The security of Your guidance will allow me to carry my own load with energy and confidence.

I listen carefully and hear what is being said to me. I incline my ear to wisdom and apply my heart to understanding and insight. Humility and fear of You bring wealth and honor and life.

Father, I hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. As one of Your chosen people, holy and dearly loved, I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. I bear with others and forgive whatever grievances I may have against anyone. I forgive as You forgave me. And over all these virtues I put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. I let the peace of Christ rule in my heart, and I am thankful for Your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father, may Your will be done on earth in my life as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scripture References:

1 Peter 5:5-7 AMP Proverbs 22:4 NIV

Proverbs 3:7,8 NIV Psalm 119:11

Hebrews 4:12 AMP Colossians 3:12-15 NIV

Galatians 6:4,5 NIV Matthew 6:10 NIV

Proverbs 2:2 NIV

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 14 - A Wise Man Will Not Show Partiality in Judgment

Once God starts to enlighten you and you are able to start to see real truth from real error – then God will hold you personally accountable for this higher degree of knowledge, especially if you are in a position of leadership. This principle really applies in today’s world where everyone is trying to be politically correct. There are some issues that are not neutral in God’s eyes – yet some of His own are trying not to step on anyone else’s toes for fear of offending them.

Many of the pastor’s across our country are taking neutral stances on such issues as abortion and homosexuality. The issue of abortion is a perfect example. Many pastors are not wanting to say much about it due to many Christians still being pro-choice. They are afraid if they go fire and brimstone on these people, that they will lose them and the money they were contributing to the church.

Per the article that I did titled, “The Sin of Abortion,” I really felt God wanted me to come down with a hammer on this topic. This issue is not open to any kind of debate or compromise with Him. Abortion is first degree murder in the eyes of God, and many Christians who are actively supporting any of the pro-choice movements in this country are going to be in big trouble on their day of judgment with the Lord!

The two verses I will list below state that the true wise man of God will not show partiality in judgment on topics such as these. Study the intense wording in these two verses very, very carefully – especially if you are in a position of any type of leadership within the Body of Christ.

“These things also belong to the wise: IT IS NOT GOOD TO SHOW PARTIALITY IN JUDGMENT. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” him the people will curse; nations will abhor him. But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and good blessing will come upon them. He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.” (Proverbs 24:23)

“TO SHOW PARTIALITY IS NOT GOOD, because for a piece of bread a man will transgress … He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward than he who flatters with the tongue.” (Proverbs 28:21,23)

Notice in the first verse that it says that if you are willing to take a stand against something evil and call it out for what it really is – that you will then receive a “good blessing” for it!

To those pastors who have been too afraid to call out issues such as abortion and homosexuality for what it really is for fear of offending too many people – consider the intense wording of these two verses. When God says that it is “not good” that you show partiality on issues such as this – He is giving you a major and solemn warning!

Bottom line – you are working for God – not for man! The only thing that matters as far as you are concerned is what God thinks of your performance as a leader within His body, not what the flock thinks, or what other people outside of your church may think!

You will be eventually judged by God for your performance – not by any other human being. Study the prophets of the Old Testament – not one of them minced any words when God had them call out the evil that His people were engaging in.

I truly believe that many, many Christians are looking for their pastors and leaders to take strong stands on these type of issues with no compromise. You may lose a few people at the outset for offending them, but I believe that the word will then get out on you that you are a man that will not compromise the truth and Word of God, and you will then end up drawing many more people into your church as a result.

People are really looking for God’s opinion on a wide variety of issues and problems facing our world today. Now is not the time to try and be politically correct. Now is the time to stand up and tell the world what God’s opinion really is on some of these hot topics.

God’s people are going into captivity and are being destroyed for lack of knowledge and guidance from their pastors and churches on these issues. The truth will set these people free – but you first have to tell them what the truth really is before it can start to work to set them free.

God’s Word and Truth is your sword – do not be afraid to use it to set these captives free!

~Bits and Pieces of Seeking after the Knowledge of God

PRAYER

To Walk In Love

Father, in Jesus’name, I thank you that the love of God has been poured forth into my heart by the Holy Spirit Who has been given to me. I keep and treasure Your Word. The love of and for You, Father, has been perfected and completed in me, and perfect love casts out all fear.

Father, I am Your child, and I commit to walk in the God kind of love. I endure long, am patient, and kind. I am never envious and never boil over with jealousy. I am not boastful or vainglorious, and I do not display myself haughtily. I am not rude and unmannerly and I do not act unbecomingly. I do not insist on my own rights or my own way for I am not self-seeking, touchy, fretful or resentful. I take no account of an evil done to me and pay no attention to a suffered wrong. I do not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but I rejoice when right and truth prevail. I bear up under anything and everything that comes. I am ever ready to believe the best of others. My hopes are fadeless under all circumstances. I endure everything without weakening because my love never fails.

Father, I bless and pray for those who persecute me – who are cruel in their attitude toward me. I bless them and do not curse them. Therefore, my love abounds yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment. I approve things that are excellent. I am sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. I am filled with the fruits of righteousness.

Everywhere I go I commit to plant seeds of love. I thank You, Father, for preparing hearts ahead of time to receive this love. I know that these seeds will produce Your love in the hearts to whom they are given.

Father, I thank You that as I flow in Your love and wisdom, people are being blessed by my life and ministry. Father, You make me to find favor, compassion, and loving kindness with others (name them).

I am rooted deep in love and founded securely on love knowing that You are on my side, and nothing is able to separate me from Your love, Father, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Scripture References:

Romans 5:5 

Philippians 1:9-11

I John 2:5 

John 13:34

I John 4:18

I Corinthians 3:6

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 13 - Walk With Other Wise Men

These next set of verses will tell you two things – that he who walks with other wise men will he himself become wise – but he who has fools as his friends and companions will be destroyed! Per the article I did titled, “Choose Your Friends Carefully” - the Bible makes it very clear that we are not to be yoked together with unbelievers, that we are to choose our friends carefully, and that evil company will corrupt good habits.

Once you enter into a full surrender of your entire life with God the Father, one of the first things He will start to do is to prune out some of the bad and negative people that you may have in your life. These negative people will do nothing but try and hold you back if you start to try and grow in the Lord. God will not be putting up with their negative influences in your life, and He will thus be taking these types of negative people out of your life very early on in your walk with Him.

Many Christians never make it into what God’s true call was for them in this life because they did not want to give up their negative friends. As a result, these negative people kept these Christians bound up in their lower way of living in this life. As a result, these Christians never reach their full potential in the Lord in this lifetime.

The very first verse I will list below says that he who walks with other wise men will become wise himself. The reason for this is that you can learn from other wise people besides what you will get direct from God on your own. Learning from other wise people will really help in accelerating your knowledge in the Lord and whatever else God wants to give you His knowledge on. These verses will also perfectly line up with the verses mentioned above about safety being found in the multitude of counselors.

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)

 “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” (Proverbs 23:9)

 “A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands. Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:6)

 “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.” (Proverbs 12:23)

 “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Proverbs 17:27)

Notice God says in the second verse that fools will be despising the knowledge and wisdom that you may have in Him. This lines up with the verse in that we are not to give what is holy to the dogs. The knowledge and wisdom that you will be receiving from the Lord will be very holy, and you will be wasting your time trying to feed it to other people who have no desire for it.

~Bits and Pieces of Seeking after the Knowledge of God

PRAYER

Developing Healthy Friendships

Father, help me to meet new friends — friends who will encourage me. May I find in these friendships the companionship and fellowship You have ordained for me. I know that You are my source of love, companionship, and friendship. Your love and friendship are expressed through my relationship with You and members of the Body of Christ.

According to Proverbs 27:17 CEV, as iron sharpens iron, so friends sharpen the minds of each other. As we learn from each other, may we find a worthy purpose in our relationship. Keep me well-balanced in my friendships, so that I will always please You rather than pleasing other people.

I ask for divine connections — good friendships ordained by You. Thank You for the courage and grace to let go of detrimental friendships. I ask and receive, by faith, discernment for developing healthy relationships. Your Word says that two are better than one, because if one falls, there will be someone to lift that person up.

Father, You know the hearts of people, so I won’t be deceived by outward appearances. Bad friendships corrupt good morals. Thank You for quality friends who help me build a stronger character and draw me closer to You. Help me be a friend to others and to love my friends at all times. I will laugh with those who laugh, I will rejoice with those who rejoice, and I will weep with those who weep. Teach me what I need to know to be a quality friend.

Develop in me a fun personality and a good sense of humor. Help me to relax around people and to be myself — the person You created me to be. Instruct my heart and mold my character, that I may be faithful and trustworthy over the friendships You are sending into my life.

Father, Your Son, Jesus, is my best Friend. He is a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. He defined the standard when He said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Thank You, Lord, that I can entrust myself and my need for friends into Your keeping. I submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture References:

Proverbs 13:20 NIV 1 Corinthians 15:33 AMP

Ephesians 5:30 NIV James 1:17 NIV

Philippians 2:2,3 NIV Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 13:20 NIV Romans 12:15

Psalm 84:11 NIV Proverbs 18:24

Ecclesiastes 4:9,10 NIV Psalm 37:4,5 NIV

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 12 - Use the Knowledge That God Will Give You

Once God starts to transmit His knowledge to you on a wide variety of matters and issues in your life, your job will then be to take that knowledge and use it and apply it in your everyday life. Though this principle sounds very simple, many Christians keep getting themselves into trouble either because they are choosing to directly disobey a direct order from the Lord, or they are not stopping and thinking out very carefully what their next step should be.

Here are three very good verses telling us that the wise and prudent man will “consider well his steps” and that the “plans of the diligent” will lead to plenty. However, the reverse is also true – that everyone who is “hasty” in their decision making will be lead into poverty.

In other words, God is wanting you to stop, think, and evaluate very carefully what choices you have to make when you are faced with having to make a decision on something. In our fast-paced society, many people are living their lives in too much of the fast lane. They are so mentally wired, they are constantly making too quick and too hasty of decisions without thinking things all the way through. As a result, they keep falling into one jam after another, and they are then forced to have to spend extra time to dig themselves out of the jams they have fallen into.

These next three verses are a true word to the wise from the Lord.

“The simple believes every word, but the prudent man considers well his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

“A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” (Proverbs 22:3)

Remember – God will at times make you seek and search after His knowledge and wisdom on a particular matter. This means that at times you will have to take your time and think things out and think things all the way through before you can “find” what God’s answer may be on a particular issue.

~Bits and Pieces of Seeking after the Knowledge of God

PRAYER

Godly Wisdom in the Affairs of Life

Father, You said if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of You, Who give to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Therefore, I ask in faith, nothing wavering, to be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Today I incline my ear unto wisdom, and I apply my heart to understanding so that I might receive that which has been freely given unto me.

In the name of Jesus, I receive skill and godly wisdom and instruction. I discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight. I receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity. Prudence, knowledge, discretion, and discernment are given to me. I increase in knowledge. As a person of understanding, I acquire skill and attain to sound counsels [so that I may be able to steer my course rightly].

Wisdom will keep, defend, and protect me; I love her and she guards me. I prize Wisdom highly and exalt her; she will bring me to honor because I embrace her. She gives to my head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to me. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.

Jesus has been made unto me wisdom, and in Him are all the treasures of [divine] wisdom, [of comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. God has hidden away sound and godly wisdom and stored it up for me, for I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, I will walk in paths of uprightness. When I walk, my steps shall not be hampered — my path will be clear and open; and when I run, I shall not stumble. I take fast hold of instruction and do not let her go; I guard her, for she is my life. I let my eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and my gaze is straight before me. I consider well the path of my feet, and I let all my ways be established and ordered aright.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I look carefully to how I walk! I live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as unwise and witless, but as a wise — sensible, intelligent — person, making the very most of my time — buying up every opportunity. Amen.

Scripture References:

James 1:5,6 1 Corinthians 1:30

Colossians 1:9 Colossians 2:3 AMP

Proverbs 2:2 Proverbs 2:7 AMP

Proverbs 1:2-5 AMP 2 Corinthians 5:21

Proverbs 4:6,8,9 AMP Proverbs 4:11-13,25,26 AMP

Proverbs 3:16 AMP Ephesians 5:15,16 AMP

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 11 - In the Multitude of Counselors There is Safety

Once you start to seek after the knowledge of God for your life, one of the ways that God will communicate His knowledge to you is through other people. Sometimes you will receive the knowledge that you are looking for direct from God Himself. Other times it may come from a particular Scripture verse you may be meditating on.

But at other times, God will communicate His knowledge to you through other people. A good example of this is when you receive words of knowledge and wisdom through an anointed teacher of His Word such as your pastor who is teaching the Word in Sunday service or hearing one of God’s teachers on one of the Christian TV stations.

What you will find start to happen to you is that words or revelations coming from others will “jump” at you. This is the Holy Spirit “quickening” these words to you in order to help give you His knowledge and wisdom on something that you may be dealing with or searching after.

Once you start to enter into this kind of journey with the Lord – you really have to keep your radars up each and every day as you never know when, where, how, or through whom God will release His knowledge to you. This is why the knowledge game is so much fun to play with the Lord. God loves variety and spontaneity, and He will give you His knowledge and wisdom in many different ways and through many different sources. But always remember – the Holy Bible will always be your main source of spiritual knowledge and wisdom in this life.

When God does want to communicate His knowledge direct to you through other people – one of the things that God will arrange for you to have is access to other good, solid Christians who you can discuss things out with.

Here are four very fascinating Scripture verses telling us that there is safety in the multitude of counselors, that without appropriate counsel with others our plans can go awry, and that we are to wage war by having wise counsel with others.

“A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:5)

“Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” (Proverbs 15:22)

“Every purpose is established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war.” (Proverbs 20:18)

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)

The Bible tells us that all men will only “know in part” with what knowledge we can get from the Lord down here on this earth. As a result, no one will ever have all of the answers to everything in this life. By having a group of other solid Christian friends you can chew things out with – you will help keep each other up and sharp in the Lord, help keep one another humble and accountable in your walk with the Lord, along with being able to learn from one another.

~Bits and Pieces of Seeking after the Knowledge of God

PRAYER

Father, we come in the name of Jesus, asking You for called teachers for our classes and choirs. We thank You for teachers who are filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, in knowledge and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to devise skillful methods for teaching us and our children the Word of God. They are teachers who give themselves to teaching.

Father, may these teachers recognize that they must assume the greater accountability. According to Your Word, teachers will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people]. We thank You that our teachers will not offend in speech — never say the wrong things — that they may be fully developed characters and perfect men and women, each one able to control his/her own body and to curb his/her entire nature.

Thank You that our teachers are part of the fivefold ministry who are perfecting and fully equipping the saints (God’s consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s Body (the Church), [that it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of the Son of God; that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood — the completeness of personality, which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection — the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

Thank You, Father, that Your people at our church are no longer children, tossed [like ships] to and fro. They are enfolded in love, growing up in every way and in all things into Him, Who is the Head, [even] Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One.

Father, You are effectually at work in our teachers — energizing and creating in them the power and desire — both to will and to work for Your good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Father, in the name of Jesus, their power and ability and sufficiency are from You. [It is You] Who have qualified them (making them to be fit, worthy and sufficient) as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant. They are not ministers of the law which kills; but of the (Holy) Spirit, which makes alive.

Father, we rejoice in the Lord over our teachers and commit to undergird them with our faith and love. We will not judge or criticize them, but speak excellent and princely things concerning them. The opening of our lips shall be for right things.

Thank You, Father, that the teachers live in harmony, with the other members of our church, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Each is not [merely] concerned for his/her own interests, but each for the interest of others. Jesus is our example in humility, and our teachers shall tend — nurture, guard, guide and fold — the flock of God which is [their responsibility], and will be examples of Christian living to the flock (the congregation).

Thank You, Father, for the performance of Your Word in our midst, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture References:

Exodus 31:3,4 amp 2 Corinthians 3:5b,6 amp

Romans 12:7 amp Proverbs 8:6 amp

James 3:1,2 amp Philippians 2:2,4,5 amp

Ephesians 4:12-15 amp 1 Peter 5:2,3 amp

Philippians 2:13 amp Jeremiah 1:12 amp

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 10 - Knowledge and Wisdom Can Help Keep You Safe in This Life

“My son … keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.” (Proverbs 3:21)

“When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice in doing evil …” (Proverbs 2:10)

“Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4:10)

Life is full of one tragedy after another when people do not use good, common sense. People abusing drugs and alcohol, driving too fast on the highways, and hanging out with the wrong crowd can all lead to an early departure from this life.

Notice in the very last verse above, that it starts out that your years can be many if you are willing to follow the way of wisdom. But the implication is also there that if you do not follow the way of wisdom, that you can have your life cut short and ended early. Many of the deaths that we see on a daily basis are the result of people making very poor choices.

This is why God is really emphasizing in the above verses that the way of wisdom and knowledge will help keep you safe, help preserve you, help keep you from hanging out with the wrong kind of people, and help keep you in one piece as you journey through this life.

~Bits and Pieces of "Seeking After the Knowledge of God".

PRAYER

Handling the Day of Trouble or Calamity

Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus, acknowledging You as my Refuge and High Tower. You are a refuge and a stronghold in these times of trouble (high cost, destitution and desperation).

In the day of trouble You will hide me in Your shelter, in the secret place of Your tent will You hide me; You will set me high upon a rock. And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in Your tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to You, O Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me!

On the authority of Your Word, I declare that I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. When I cry for help, You, Lord, hear me and deliver me out of all my distress and troubles. You are close to me, for I am of a broken heart, and You save such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. Lord, many are the evils that confront me, but You deliver me out of them all.

Thank You for being merciful and gracious to me, O God, for my soul takes refuge and finds shelter and confidence in You; yes, in the shadow of Your wings I take refuge and am confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed. You perform on my behalf and reward me. You bring to pass Your purposes for me, and surely You complete them!

Father, You are my Refuge and Strength (mighty and impenetrable to temptation), a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

Lord, You have given and bequeathed to me Your peace. By Your grace I will not let my heart be troubled, neither will I let it be afraid. With the help of the Holy Spirit I will (stop allowing myself to be agitated and disturbed; and I refuse to permit myself to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled).

By faith, I respond to these troubles and calamities: (I am full of joy now!) I exult and triumph in my troubles and rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character (of this sort) produces (the habit of) joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames me, for Your love has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit who has given to me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 9 - Knowledge and Understanding Wisdom

Before I go into the next set of Scripture verses – there is one more thing that I need to point out to you.  In many of these verses, you will see three key words that are constantly being repeated over and over again.

These three key words are:

Knowledge

Understanding 

Wisdom

God will first start off by conveying His "knowledge" to you about something specific.  However, knowledge by itself will not get the job done.

The next key word is “understanding.”  Understanding means that you understand the knowledge that is being given to you.  If you do not understand the knowledge that has been given to you, then you will not be able to use it or apply it in a real life situation.

The third key word is “wisdom.”  Once you understand the knowledge that has been given to you, then there is now one more step you will need to have in order to be able to properly use that knowledge – and that step is having the actual wisdom to be able to use that knowledge in a real life situation. 

Many college graduates understand the knowledge they have learned through many of their college courses – but they lack the wisdom to be able to apply that knowledge in the real world. You have all heard the term that someone may be “book-smart” – but lack the common sense and wisdom to be able to use this knowledge in the real working world.

This is where the Holy Spirit will be coming in big time! The Holy Spirit will help you in being able to understand the knowledge that God may be trying to give you on something. The Holy Spirit will help illuminate your mind so you can fully understand what is being given to you. The Holy Spirit will also help you with the last and final step – which is being able to have the wisdom to use or apply that knowledge to a real life working situation.

Example – say God is calling you to be a great heart surgeon:

First, God will arrange to make sure that you are given all of the working knowledge that you will need to become a great heart surgeon.

Second, God will then make sure that you have the ability to fully understand all of the knowledge that He will give to you on how to be a great heart surgeon.

Third, God will then complete His work with you in making sure that you have the actual wisdom to be able to apply that knowledge so that you can then do real live heart surgeries in real life situations.

The above three step process can be done by God with each and everyone of you on a wide variety of matters and issues in your life. It is just a matter of you being willing to seek after whatever it is God wants you to seek after. Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom direct from God on a wide variety of matters and issues in your life is available to all of His children if they would only be willing to spend the time to seek after it!

~Bits and Pieces of "Seeking after the Knowledge of God"

PRAYER

To Parent With Wisdom

Father, I come before Your throne of grace asking for wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. You promised to give generously, without finding fault, if I ask without doubting. So, I believe that I have received, and I set my heart and mind to believe and not doubt. Give me the grace to be single-minded, stable in all I do with my children and for them.

Lord, You give wisdom, and from Your mouth come knowledge and understanding. Thank You for teaching me wisdom in the inmost place. I declare and decree that my mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. If I am wise when I instruct and correct my children, wisdom will reward me.

As an imitator of You, my heavenly Father, I will extend grace and mercy to my children. Lord, as I delight myself in You, my heart is becoming more flexible, and I am replacing rigidity with prudence and common sense.

In the name of Jesus, I repent of and renounce the berating of my children, asking for Your forgiveness for those times that I have spoken reckless words that have pierced my children like a sword. Cause my words of wisdom to bring healing to their emotional wounds. In the name of Jesus, I rebuke and renounce, crush and smash, the stronghold of pride that breeds quarrels with my children. I will seek out wise counsel and listen to sound advice. The fear of the Lord teaches me wisdom, and humility comes before honor. I will appropriately humble myself by admitting the wrongs I have done to my children, and will ask for their forgiveness so that we may all be healed.

I desire to be a wise person who is discerning, and to speak pleasant words that promote instruction. My heart will guide my mouth, and my lips will promote instruction. By wisdom our house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Give me the grace to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Jesus has been made unto me wisdom, and I will keep myself under control.

Father, forgive me for the times I have corrected my children in anger. It is the rod of correction that imparts wisdom; my children will not have to raise themselves. I will discipline them while I still have the chance and will resist the temptation to indulge them. Thank You for hearing my prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Scripture References:

James 3:17 amp Proverbs 12:20 niv

James 1:5 niv Proverbs 16:21-23 niv

Proverbs 2:6 Proverbs 24:3,4 niv

Psalm 51:6 James 1:19 amp

Psalm 49:3 1 Corinthians 1:30

Proverbs 9:10-12 niv Proverbs 29:11

Proverbs 12:18 Proverbs 22:15 

Proverbs 13:10 niv Proverbs 19:15 message

Proverbs 24:6 amp Proverbs 15:33

James 5:16

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc.

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Growing in the Knowledge of God - Day 8 - The Holy Spirit, Our Helper and Guide

Now that we know God and Jesus want to release Their knowledge direct to us from Their throne room in heaven – how is this knowledge actually transmitted to us? This will now bring us into the next set of Scripture verses.

These next three verses will tell us that this knowledge is given to the Holy Spirit – and then the Holy Spirit, who is already living on the inside of us, will be the One to transmit all of this knowledge to us! The Holy Spirit will thus become your personal Guide and Teacher in this life. It will be His job to impart and transmit all of this knowledge direct to you once you start to seek after it.

Here are three very powerful verses from Scripture showing us that the Holy Spirit will now be the One who will transmit the knowledge of God direct to us.

“But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, HE WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH …” (JOHN 16:13)

The very first verse lays the foundation when it says that no one knows the things of God except the Holy Spirit – and that the Holy Spirit has been given to each and every one of us in order to reveal the things that God wants to reveal to us. In other words, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to release the knowledge of God direct to us!

The second verse then confirms the first verse when it says that the Holy Spirit will be our Teacher and that He will “teach us all things.” Notice the word “all” - that He will teach us “all things.”

Think about what is being said in this verse. This statement being made by God in that the Holy Spirit can teach us all things is a maximum intense type of statement being made by God. God is telling us that He is willing to go more than overboard in order to teach us things and to transmit His knowledge to us. Then the verse even goes one step further when it says that the Holy Spirit can literally bring back up to your remembrance, when you may need it, the knowledge that He has already given to you!

A perfect example of this is for those who really study the Bible in order to get it really worked and assimilated into their minds and spirits. What you will find start to happen if you are willing to spend some good quality time to get the Word worked into you – is that the Holy Spirit will bring back up to your memory the appropriate Scripture verses when you may need them on the spot when preaching or talking to others about God and Jesus. You will literally see these verses float right up out of your spirit in front of your mind’s eye right at the moment that you will need them. This is literally a supernatural transmission of knowledge direct to your mind by the Holy Spirit Himself!

And not only can the Holy Spirit do this with Scripture verses – but He can also do this with any other bits of knowledge that He may want to give to you. He can give you His words of knowledge and wisdom all day long on whatever else you may need His help on. This is why the Holy Spirit is called “the Helper” in the second verse above. The Holy Spirit cannot help you unless He is able to transmit His words of knowledge and wisdom to you as you will need them.

The last verse says that not only will the Holy Spirit be our Helper and Teacher in this life – but that He will also be our Guide in this life. Think about those three words – Helper, Teacher, and Guide! This is a powerful, three-fold ministry that the Holy Spirit has with each born-again believer.

Also, the last verse says that the Holy Spirit will guide us into “all” truth. Again, notice the word “all” - all truth – not just some or part of the truth. If you can learn to be led by the Holy Spirit and pick up when He starts to try and communicate with you, you can literally start to receive the knowledge of God in every area of your life where you need God’s knowledge and guidance to help get you safely through!

~Bits and Pieces of "Seeking after the Knowledge of God"  

PRAYER

To Walk in God’s Wisdom and His Perfect Will

Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being. You adopted me as Your child through Jesus Christ, in accordance with Your pleasure and will. I pray that I may be active in sharing my faith, so that I will have a full understanding of every good thing I have in Christ.

Father, I ask You to give me a complete understanding of what You want to do in my life, and I ask You to make me wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way I live will always honor and please You, and I will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, I will learn to know You better and better.

I roll my works upon You, Lord, and You make my thoughts agreeable to Your will, so my plans are established and succeed. You direct my steps and make them sure. I understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is for I am not vague, thoughtless, or foolish. I stand firm and mature in spiritual growth, convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God.

Father, You have destined and appointed me to come progressively to know Your will — that is to perceive, to recognize more strongly and clearly, and to become better and more intimately acquainted with Your will. I thank You, Father, for the Holy Spirit Who abides permanently in me and Who guides me into all the truth — the whole, full truth — and speaks whatever He hears from the Father and announces and declares to me the things that are to come. I have the mind of Christ and hold the thoughts, feelings, and purposes of His heart.

So, Father, I have entered into that blessed rest by adhering to, trusting in, and relying on You, in the name of Jesus. Hallelujah! Amen.

Scripture References:

Revelation 4:11 NIV Colossians 4:12 AMP

Ephesians 1:5 NIV Acts 22:14

Colossians 1:9,10 NLT 1 Corinthians 2:16 AMP

Proverbs 16:3,9 AMP Hebrews 4:10

Ephesians 5:16 AMP

©2013 Germaine Copeland and Word Ministries, Inc. 

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