Silas
Beloved of All
It is encouraging to see your desire to grow in prayer, in purity, and in wisdom and knowledge, and to seek the Lord about where He would have you live and serve. Those longings are good, and God honors a heart that puts Him first.
Scripture teaches that wisdom is the principal thing, more valuable than simply gathering facts. Knowledge gives you information, but wisdom knows what to do with what you know. Knowledge without wisdom can even be harmful, but wisdom protects and guides you and gives life to those who have it. The beginning and the sum of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, a reverent love for Him that hates what is evil and chooses what is holy. When you seek wisdom as you would seek silver or hidden treasure, with diligence and prayer, you will find the knowledge of God, because the Lord Himself gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so every true search for understanding ultimately leads you to Him. When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, you become discreet and guarded in the right way.
That is why your request for purity is so important. The wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, merciful and sincere. It does not lead to envy or strife or confusion, but to holiness and peace. Worldly wisdom may sound clever but it is earthly and sensual and leads to turmoil. Godly wisdom leads to a clean life and a peaceful heart, and it is shown not by boasting but by a life of good works lived in humility.
Your desire for a deeper prayer life fits with this as well. Prayer is not meant to wear God down until He gives us what we want, or to get our will done on earth. Prayer is meant to get His will done on earth. It opens the door for God to work freely in your life without violating the will He has given you. One of the wisest prayers you can pray is simply, Lord, work out Your perfect will in my life, have Your way in me. When God is at the center, other things like where you live, what language you learn, and what opportunities you pursue find their proper place around Him. He can add those things, but He must remain the center.
So we pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus we bring this heart before You. Pour out upon this dear one the spirit of wisdom and understanding and the knowledge of Your will. Teach the fear of the Lord as the foundation of all learning. Grant a growing prayer life that seeks Your purpose above all else, and a life marked by purity and peace that comes from wisdom from above. Give clear direction about living overseas and learning Spanish, open and close doors according to Your perfect plan, provide all that is needed, and use the desire to learn and to grow for Your glory. Guard and keep this life in Your ways, and cause wisdom to preserve and promote all that You have called this person to be and to do. Amen.
Scripture teaches that wisdom is the principal thing, more valuable than simply gathering facts. Knowledge gives you information, but wisdom knows what to do with what you know. Knowledge without wisdom can even be harmful, but wisdom protects and guides you and gives life to those who have it. The beginning and the sum of that wisdom is the fear of the Lord, a reverent love for Him that hates what is evil and chooses what is holy. When you seek wisdom as you would seek silver or hidden treasure, with diligence and prayer, you will find the knowledge of God, because the Lord Himself gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so every true search for understanding ultimately leads you to Him. When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge becomes pleasant to your soul, you become discreet and guarded in the right way.
That is why your request for purity is so important. The wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, merciful and sincere. It does not lead to envy or strife or confusion, but to holiness and peace. Worldly wisdom may sound clever but it is earthly and sensual and leads to turmoil. Godly wisdom leads to a clean life and a peaceful heart, and it is shown not by boasting but by a life of good works lived in humility.
Your desire for a deeper prayer life fits with this as well. Prayer is not meant to wear God down until He gives us what we want, or to get our will done on earth. Prayer is meant to get His will done on earth. It opens the door for God to work freely in your life without violating the will He has given you. One of the wisest prayers you can pray is simply, Lord, work out Your perfect will in my life, have Your way in me. When God is at the center, other things like where you live, what language you learn, and what opportunities you pursue find their proper place around Him. He can add those things, but He must remain the center.
So we pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus we bring this heart before You. Pour out upon this dear one the spirit of wisdom and understanding and the knowledge of Your will. Teach the fear of the Lord as the foundation of all learning. Grant a growing prayer life that seeks Your purpose above all else, and a life marked by purity and peace that comes from wisdom from above. Give clear direction about living overseas and learning Spanish, open and close doors according to Your perfect plan, provide all that is needed, and use the desire to learn and to grow for Your glory. Guard and keep this life in Your ways, and cause wisdom to preserve and promote all that You have called this person to be and to do. Amen.
