WEBVTT 00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:01.120 Good morning. 00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:03.520 Well, it's actually been a really good morning. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:06.799 I mean, we've got to spend time with each other. 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:25.039 Spend a little time with Jesus in the Lord's Supper, and then to be reminded the truth of how much God loves us, that He's not mad at us, that He hasn't given up on us, that He's for us, that He's gone so far as to adopt us as His very own kids. 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:27.359 Well, it's good to be back together. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:34.240 I really appreciate Ken speaking the last couple weeks and appreciate how often he's able to be with us. 00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:36.240 Next Sunday is a big Sunday. 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:37.679 It's Baptism Sunday. 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:41.920 It's uh one of my favorite days of the whole year. 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:44.560 It is such an exciting day. 00:00:44.880 --> 00:00:49.679 And if you don't know, baptism isn't a ritual. 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:53.200 It's not something we check off our have-to-do list. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:58.719 Um it's an exciting statement that I'm all in. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:00.159 Maybe I want a new life. 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:01.920 Maybe I'm starting over. 00:01:02.079 --> 00:01:08.799 It's a chance to do literally what Jesus did as he was baptized, and we get to do the exact same thing. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:19.680 And it's a chance to do figuratively what Jesus did to die and to be buried in the water, then to be raised out of the water. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:23.439 But the important thing is to a whole new life. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:25.439 And so we're going to do that next Sunday. 00:01:25.519 --> 00:01:29.359 If you've never been baptized before, and it is such a great uh thing to do. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:37.760 In fact, it the Holy Spirit promises us in God's word uh to bless us uh when we do that. 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:41.200 Um we do something kind of unique. 00:01:41.439 --> 00:01:46.640 You know, in Jesus' day, Jesus didn't baptize his followers, his other followers baptized each other. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:57.359 And so if there's someone uh another believer that's uh special to you and you would like them to baptize you, just please uh ask them and and uh we'll do that. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:03.680 If you'd like uh me or Susan or anyone here, uh we would of course be honored as well. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:13.280 Um if you'll sign up in the lobby, that'll help us plan a little bit, but really shorts, t-shirts, a towel is uh is about all it takes. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:22.639 But it's a big day, and it's not you know, usually there's somewhere between 50 and 75 of us get baptized, and it's not one big event. 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:30.159 It's actually 50 to 75 big events that are really important markers uh in our lives. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:32.879 And so that'll be uh next Sunday. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:39.520 Uh Susan announced last week uh 21, which is a 21-hour getaway with God and and other women. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:43.599 Uh you can sign up for that today if you'd like in the lobby afterwards. 00:02:43.840 --> 00:02:48.080 Uh it is July 13th and 14th from 6:30 p.m. 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:51.280 until 3.30 p.m. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:53.840 uh the next day. 00:02:54.080 --> 00:03:01.039 And so for some of us dads and grandfathers, it's gonna be uh 24 hours with our children and God. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:04.159 And uh so that'll be cool too. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:07.759 Uh Sunday, May 20th is is bless the bikes. 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:15.280 It's a great uh uh day to invite people that uh ride or uh just enjoy uh motorcycles. 00:03:15.439 --> 00:03:35.360 A bunch of us will ride in and then we'll hang out afterwards, and and we'll we'll bless everyone and really just ask for God to keep us safe and and and to bless our lives, and then we'll crank up all the bikes at the same time, and it's loud and awesome, and we'll hang out and and uh eat and listen to music after that. 00:03:35.520 --> 00:03:40.879 But it's a good time, it's like a bike show, and uh that's gonna be a really good day. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:43.759 Um thanks for your your giving. 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:55.120 Um, you know, it's just so important uh for us to be able to do this together, and it's such an important part of our individual lives and our uh trusting God and seeing God working our lives. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:04.639 And so we don't pass a play, but we can do that back at the there's uh four stations in the back, and and uh we can also give uh online. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:11.280 Okay, we're gonna start something new this morning, and so let's uh start by asking God's help. 00:04:11.680 --> 00:04:12.960 So, Father, we praise you. 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:18.160 Thank you for being such a great God, for adopting us as your very own children. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:29.759 Holy Spirit, we thank you for being our teacher and our counselor, and I ask you to teach us today that each one of us would leave uh encouraged by you with something we know was meant directly for us. 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:38.000 And Jesus, we we praise you, we thank you for saving us and uh for being our friend, our brother, our Lord. 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:39.439 It's in your name we pray. 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:40.399 Amen. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:54.160 Okay, so I'm gonna ask something of each of you, and that is that we close our eyes and take a little daydream together. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:01.839 And I know that's not a difficult ask because uh you gotta admit, daydreaming in church comes pretty naturally. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:08.319 But here we go. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:15.920 I want you to imagine an encounter that you unexpectedly have this afternoon. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:25.519 You're sitting alone, and so if you have a spouse and children, this encounter might be miraculous already, because you have a moment alone, but there you are. 00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:32.240 And a person approaches you, but he doesn't startle you or make you feel fearful, just the opposite. 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:34.399 You feel suddenly peaceful. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:38.399 You know, for a quick moment, you wonder if he might even be an angel. 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:42.079 He says, I have something for you. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:46.480 He says, God's chosen you to be the next one. 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:49.759 The next what, you ask? 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:52.160 The next to choose. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:58.959 And he places in your hand a book, and it looks and it feels old and weathered. 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:03.759 It seems small, maybe only 25 pages or so. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:14.480 And he says that in this book lies a long life, riches, and honor. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:18.160 God's handpicked you, he says, to be next. 00:06:19.040 --> 00:06:20.800 And so maybe you start to argue. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:22.560 You're a long way from any of that. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:29.920 You don't necessarily right now feel close to God, let alone handpicked by him. 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:32.399 It's up to you, he says. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.720 God says you're the next one. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:38.720 This book's gonna ask you to make 11 choices. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:46.079 And if you will, you will have a long life, riches, and honor. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.000 One last thing, he says, you have to commit. 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:52.160 You need to sign for it. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:55.279 It's kind of like a library card, but a much bigger deal. 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:59.920 And you look and you see your name typed in a place for you to sign. 00:07:00.399 --> 00:07:03.519 And you can't help but notice that there's a signature right above you. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:08.079 It's Tony Dungey, the football coach. 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:12.720 And above him is Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A. 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:24.000 And then there's Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, and then Johnny Cash, and then Rosa Parks, and then John DeSalk. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:26.319 And it goes on. 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:26.959 C. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:27.120 S. 00:07:27.279 --> 00:07:33.120 Lewis signed it, the Wright brothers, George Washington, Christopher Columbus. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:37.519 And it's so exciting to see those names and to see their actual signatures there. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:43.040 And the names keep going, and there's bunches of them, and you don't even recognize them all. 00:07:43.439 --> 00:07:47.040 But then one jumps out Yeshua. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:52.000 And Jesus had read this very same book. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:57.839 And to see his signature, it brings you to tears. 00:07:58.399 --> 00:08:00.800 But the man says, It's your turn now. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:07.600 And so you go ahead and sign right below Tony Dungey. 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:11.040 And he says your name once gently. 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:13.839 He says, I'll see you again in August. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:16.319 That's when I pass it on to the next one. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:20.959 Eleven choices and everything in your life will be better. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:25.519 Friends, family, your entire future has changed. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:32.720 Eleven choices and a long life, riches and honor are yours. 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:37.679 Now you look at the small book in your hand, you can't believe this is happening to you. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:39.840 You look up, he's gone. 00:08:40.960 --> 00:08:42.399 The book is still with you. 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.360 So you open to the first page. 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:54.080 Could God handpick you? 00:08:55.519 --> 00:08:56.879 Could He give you a book? 00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:03.840 That if you just made some simple choices, you could have long life, riches, and honor. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:09.600 Proverbs 3 says, Wisdom is more precious than rubies. 00:09:09.919 --> 00:09:12.559 Nothing you desire can compare with her. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:20.080 She offers you long life in her right hand and riches and honor in her left. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:22.399 She will guide you down delightful paths. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.240 All her ways are satisfying. 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:27.919 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her. 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:31.519 Happy are those who hold her tightly. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:34.559 I read a book a couple weeks ago. 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:37.120 Um it's called Traveler's Diary. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:37.919 You may have read it. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:38.559 It's a great book. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:40.000 Andy Andrews wrote it. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:49.039 And the premise of this book is the character uh goes back through time and interacts with seven famous people. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:53.919 And in these interactions, they reinforce their most famous character trait to him. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:58.399 And then at the end of each of the chapters, he's got to make a decision. 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:02.879 Does he want that character trait in his life? 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:09.840 And we're not going to go back and look at historical figures, except maybe Solomon and Jesus. 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:15.600 But in the book of Proverbs, there are 11 choices to make. 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:20.240 And between now and August 26th, I'm speaking 11 times. 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:24.720 Ben Sykes is speaking at the end of May. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:29.120 Ken Kington will be back in June, just in the first week of August. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:31.679 But I have 11 times, including today. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:35.600 And each time I share, God's going to confront us with a choice. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:42.879 It's going to be a choice from this short book, 25 pages long in my Bible, as we read this book of wisdom. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:45.279 And there's two things I want to clarify. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:58.080 First is I want to make sure you know that I don't necessarily, I don't know what the right word is, adhere to what would be known as a prosperity theology. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:01.519 And I'm sure that label means different things to different people. 00:11:02.480 --> 00:11:09.600 But to the idea that God wants us all to be rich and that wealth is a sign of God's approval. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:11.759 I don't believe that. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:18.960 I believe that we all go through different things and different times, and God has a whole life of experience for each of us. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:25.919 But I do know God wants his kids to be blessed, and he does want us to have more than enough to share and to enjoy. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:28.240 Jesus tries to help us understand this. 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:33.600 He says, You parents, if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:37.039 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:38.399 Of course not. 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:48.799 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him? 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:53.039 Okay, so I'm just an earthly father, like Jesus is talking about. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:59.519 And I would never sit around and think, boy, I hope my son struggles financially his whole life. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:04.639 Boy, I hope his first two or three marriages don't work out. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:09.360 I hope my daughter gets big credit card debt. 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:13.279 You know, it just almost hurts to verbalize that. 00:12:14.320 --> 00:12:19.440 Well, our Father in heaven wants us each to have a great life. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:21.919 But we have to make some choices. 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:26.320 We started this year off in January talking about how we don't control the externals. 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:33.600 We talked about having a great year and how that really will come from inside as God transforms us inside. 00:12:34.159 --> 00:12:37.759 Then we'll have a great year of growth and of change. 00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:41.679 And one part of that is godly wisdom. 00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:50.639 As we go along, I think you'll be surprised at how often God correlates God's wisdom with a great life. 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:55.519 And the second clarifier is that we're talking about God's wisdom. 00:12:55.840 --> 00:13:01.279 That's a whole lot different than man's wisdom, or even wisdom in general. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:03.519 We're talking about God's wisdom. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:05.519 It's often counterintuitive. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.799 You know, we don't. 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:09.039 So we have to seek it out. 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.919 We have to value it, we have to want it. 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:14.320 Um, here's an example. 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:18.799 The first time I ever got a pre-approved credit card in the mail, I couldn't believe it. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:21.200 Somebody had just given me$5,000. 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:24.960 It's like the greatest day of my life. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:27.759 And then a couple more came. 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:36.399 And so eventually, Susan and I had to make a choice to get out of debt. 00:13:36.559 --> 00:13:39.440 You know, we did it the way some of us are probably doing it now. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:43.840 We took our highest interest rate credit card, made that payment. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:48.240 As soon as that was paid off, we added that payment to the next one, and we kept doing that. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:54.480 We had like a debt snowball, and um eventually got a payoff. 00:13:54.559 --> 00:14:02.559 And got to the point where we had a choice of whether or not we should think about paying off our house. 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:06.159 And my accountant said, you definitely don't want to pay off your house. 00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:16.720 Um, because you know, you get uh a tax deduction for the interest payment, and you know, if you figure that out, it's only you know three or four percent. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:21.759 Um, and you're definitely gonna make seven or eight percent, you know, in the market. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:25.919 So uh you know, don't be stupid, don't pay off your house. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:38.559 Uh thankful, thankfully, Susan and I had read this little book that's only about 25 pages long in my Bible. 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:46.879 And there it says, just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:49.759 Now that's God's wisdom. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:57.679 And so, just in as a point of conversation, you know, I've probably had 10 different people who are in a situation or position, they say, Man, I don't know. 00:14:57.759 --> 00:15:03.759 I'm thinking about whether or not I should pay off my house or if I should invest it somewhere else. 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.759 Get out of debt. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.200 That's God's wisdom. 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:10.320 You know, get to a point where we can live with no debt. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:13.200 That's the difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:25.679 And so when the stock market and housing prices crashed at the same time, we were very thankful that God took the time to write that advice down for Susan and I. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:38.960 Wisdom starts with knowing that God our Father, our Abba Father, Daddy Father, that He loves us, that He knows best, and we can trust Him. 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:42.799 Proverbs 9 says, The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:46.080 Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:51.279 And so the fear there is not fear like scared fear, it's fear like respect. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:58.720 Knowing God, knowing that he's in charge, knowing that his ways are the best. 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.519 That is the start of all wisdom. 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:05.120 Doing things his way makes all the difference. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:07.600 Now the opposite's true as well. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:12.080 I can tell you from personal experience, it is no fun being a fool. 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:16.720 You know that uh I started a new company about a year ago. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:20.000 It wasn't just me, it was me and a group of friends. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:24.000 Um that's good because we're all in this together. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:34.639 You know, we've we've got work and responsibilities, and we still together we volunteer our time, and we're a volunteer church, and it's it's a cool thing that God's doing. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:39.360 But I started uh the first company I started was about 20 years ago. 00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.879 Did that for the first time. 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:46.000 A business associate asked me to go into business with him, and I really wanted to do it. 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.960 I was fired up. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:55.200 I'd been in the corporate world for 10 years, and I was kind of getting tired of that and travel and different things, and so I was really excited about it. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:57.200 Susan, not so much. 00:16:58.000 --> 00:17:06.160 She had huge reservations, mostly that she didn't trust this particular individual that I was gonna go into business with. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:10.960 And so she was hassling me the whole time about, you know, I mean, have you checked that out? 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.000 Do you have this in writing? 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:12.880 Do you have a contract? 00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:15.680 You know, and I'm like, you know, you don't want to start a relationship that way. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.519 We've got to start this relationship with trust. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:20.400 And believe me, I've got good instincts. 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:24.400 And um, I thought of all these reasons to discount her advice. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:27.279 Well, the guy turned out to be very dishonest. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.240 Very. 00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:34.079 And that created a huge issue for Susan and I. 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.920 I mean, it ruined us financially. 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:43.200 It put a strain on our marriage that we barely, I mean, barely survived. 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:45.119 Now, why did that happen? 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:48.880 It happened because I was a fool. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:57.359 Proverbs 12 says, Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.799 It's no fun being a fool. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:05.599 And so who do you think I was mad at for that whole situation? 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:08.240 God, of course. 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.000 Where was he? 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:14.960 I mean, what had he ever done for me? 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:17.759 How could he have let that happen to me? 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:27.279 Proverbs 19 says people ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord. 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.440 It's in the book. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.200 It's in the book. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:37.119 A small 25-page book written 2,500 years ago. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:42.400 It described me and being a fool's, no fun. 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:46.000 And so we started over by ourselves this time. 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:50.079 And I've talked about this before, and I just talked about this recently. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:54.319 But it was at that time that I started reading the book of Proverbs. 00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.599 Somebody had suggested it. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.799 I thought it was a good idea. 00:18:56.960 --> 00:19:00.000 And the book of Proverbs is cool because there's 31 chapters. 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.680 And so it's really simple. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:05.519 I'd just get up in the morning and I'd read whatever chapter corresponded with that day of the week. 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.960 So today's April 29th. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:10.720 I'd get up, I'd read chapter 29. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:16.640 And so over time, it was a slow start, but things started getting going a little bit. 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:20.960 And we had a couple of employees, and that turned out to be a real pain in the net. 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:27.680 Um, because, you know, they had issues to deal with, and there was all kinds of stuff. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:31.759 And so I thought, you know, it's not worth the hassle. 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:36.960 You know, I think I'm going to restructure things, and I'm just going to figure out a way to do this by myself. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:39.359 But that was March 14th. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:46.559 And Proverbs 14 says, without oxen a stable stays clean. 00:19:46.880 --> 00:19:50.079 But you need a strong ox for a large harvest. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:58.480 Now, everyone who leads people knows that with people comes a lot of crap. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:01.759 I know that's twice that's been said in the same morning. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:07.359 But that's literally what this proverb says. 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:18.880 You know, it might be nice to have a clean stable, but there's things that are nicer, and you can do so much more when you do it together. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:26.000 And so then I'd read things like on the 11th, Proverbs 11, 1. 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:30.160 The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.240 And so I would try to do everything the right way. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:38.400 You know, just make sure that we did things the way God would want us to do them. 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:41.359 And so as the company grew, I had to figure out how to pay people. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:49.920 And in the small book, God says, the generous will prosper, but those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:53.599 And so we adopted a phrase as part of our company culture. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:58.720 And the phrase is we don't ever want to be fair, we want to be generous. 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:04.559 And so that was true with customers, that was true with vendors, that was true with our teammates. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:07.440 That we're going to trust God to prosper us. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.279 He's so generous with us. 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:11.920 We are going to be generous with others. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.200 So things kept going. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.319 It didn't always go smooth. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:19.200 You know, we had one person that was a negative, critical person that was on the team. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:22.559 And we didn't have anyone to do that role but her. 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:30.000 She was the only one to do that role until the 22nd of that month. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:36.079 When I read, pick out the troublemakers, and things will quiet down. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:40.720 You need a break from bickering and griping. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:49.039 Actually, I just quoted that proverb to someone a couple weeks ago because there was a similar situation. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:57.519 And so we let her go that day, and God provided someone else with a great attitude that was a real joy to work with. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.039 And it was like that every week. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:06.319 You know, and in the end, we went from total despair to a life-changing experience. 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:13.279 And I tell you that because I want you to know that God is a loving father and you can trust him. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:16.000 And you can trust his wisdom. 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:24.960 He says, with his wisdom, in one hand is long life, the other hand is riches and honor. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.440 God says that. 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.440 Believe it. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:32.079 Seek his wisdom. 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:40.480 Now that statement, in one sense, is a promise to each of us, but it's more of a long-term promise. 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:43.680 Because we all won't die. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:47.680 So that's a eternal life, that's a pretty long life. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:52.160 And in heaven, we will all have riches and honor. 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:55.200 But this book is not about heaven. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.880 This book is about now. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:00.240 This book is about our life today. 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:04.640 And so these are not so much promises as they are principles. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.160 This is the way to do it. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.680 This is the way to live your life. 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.440 This is how things work. 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.680 Do it this way. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:16.079 And so every now and then there's a curveball. 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:19.279 Every now and then things get messed up. 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:22.720 But these principles are true. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.759 They work. 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:26.559 They are the principles that make a great life. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:30.640 And so each week, 11 times, we're going to look at God's wisdom from Proverbs. 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:41.200 But we're also going to look at Jesus and what he taught on that particular choice and how he personified perhaps that particular choice. 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:47.519 And it will be the best investment that we can each make in our futures. 00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:54.799 Proverbs 24 says, My child eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:59.440 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:06.000 If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:09.839 To want God's wisdom is to want to be like Jesus. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:15.519 You know, it's interesting how we don't know too much about Jesus from when he was a baby to when he's about 30 years old. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:18.720 You know, like one to twelve, nothing. 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:20.880 And then there's this statement. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:25.440 It says, There the child grew up healthy and strong. 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:29.519 He was filled with wisdom, and God's favor was on him. 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:32.720 That's described in the first 12 years of Jesus' life. 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:41.440 And then there's a little uh encounter where Jesus goes to the temple, doesn't tell his folks, they get scared, they get mad. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:47.599 Um he says, I had to be about my father's business. 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:55.200 And then, so that's age 12, between 12 and 30, this is how Jesus' life is summed up. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:25:04.079 Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:09.200 To have God's wisdom is to follow Jesus. 00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:14.960 He actually, you know, when we were daydreaming together, and that name Yeshua was on the list. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:19.359 Jesus read these very same words. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:22.079 The book of Proverbs. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:26.880 Jesus is the greatest example ever of God's wisdom. 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:36.640 1 Corinthians it says, but to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:40.640 And so we got to get God's wisdom. 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:43.759 And we're gonna get it together and we're gonna do it in two ways. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.279 The first is pretty simple. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:47.519 We're gonna ask him for it. 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:57.200 If we ask him, if we ask our Father, our Abba Father, he will supernaturally give each of us more wisdom. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.480 That's what he does. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:04.720 You know, when Jesus sent out a group of his followers, it was kind of like a mission for him, he said this. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:08.000 He said, Don't worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:14.960 For I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you. 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:16.240 I've thought about that a lot. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:19.599 We've all been in situations, I think, where we're like, I'm not gonna know what to say. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:25.440 You know, and people on the prayer team can appreciate this each week because God's got to show us what to say. 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:27.359 You know, and so I knew that first part. 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.559 Don't worry about it too much. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.839 God will give you the words. 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:34.319 I didn't really notice the second part, that he will give us the wisdom. 00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:37.680 He'll give us the wisdom to handle any situation. 00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.799 And so we can ask God for it. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:47.599 James, Jesus' brother, says, if you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:50.240 He will not rebuke you for asking. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:54.400 That's a big thing, to not rebuke you for asking. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:57.680 Because that's not really how we operate. 00:26:57.920 --> 00:27:08.400 Okay, so if I said, hey, you know, I did something this morning, um, Susan left to come here early, and I took all of her shoes and purses and jewelry, I sold them, and I bought a mountain bike. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:14.880 You would say, that's stupid. 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:19.680 And then you'd give me wisdom, like you better not go home. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:23.119 Um, which is true. 00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:24.880 But you see, that's what we do. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:30.000 We make we honestly, in our lives, we sabotage ourselves far worse than that. 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:33.279 But God doesn't even rebuke us. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:37.440 He doesn't say, Oh, I told you so, oh, that was dumb. 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:39.359 He says, here, let me help. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:42.799 Wherever you're at right now, let me help. 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:45.359 If we need wisdom, all we have to do is ask for him. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:51.759 And there's a lie about God that I would guess most of us believe. 00:27:52.880 --> 00:28:02.960 And the lie is that if we ask God for something, especially a character type trait, we gotta be careful. 00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:05.680 Be careful what you ask God for. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:10.720 You know, if you ask God for humility, he is gonna stick it to you. 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:16.880 And you'll be humble, all right, after everything falls apart. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:18.559 See, God is not like that. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.319 God is just the opposite of that. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.839 That is a lie. 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:28.400 Jesus says if we ask our Father for bread, he will not give us a rock. 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:34.079 If we ask him for a fish, he won't give us a snake. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:43.200 And so maybe you're doing well at your job, or maybe things are happening, or you're good at something particular, and you feel yourself just getting a little cocky. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.799 You know, you can say, hey God, help me be humble. 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.839 I don't want to be like that. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.799 I want to be humble. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:51.279 And he's not gonna stick it to you. 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:57.680 He will gently, supernaturally help you to be humble. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:05.839 And the thing he says for sure, if you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:09.519 He will not rebuke you for asking. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.720 He's not gonna give us a hard time. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:15.680 Father, I need your wisdom. 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.759 God will give me your wisdom. 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:26.880 You know, just thinking about this, uh reminded me how little, how rarely I do that. 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:34.079 It reminded me how important God's wisdom is and how rarely I specifically ask Him for it. 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:36.640 But he'll give it to us. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:40.720 The second thing is we have to go for it. 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:47.119 We've got to seek it, want it, search it out, learn it. 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.920 It doesn't come natural. 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:55.039 In Proverbs 22, it says, a youngster's heart is filled with foolishness. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:30:03.759 You know, our grandson Brighton, he doesn't live with us, but still our house is like this weird combination of Chuck E. 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:05.119 Cheese and Fort Knox. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:13.440 Because we got now everything from about this high down locked up. 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:18.880 It's because we're not born naturally wise. 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:21.279 You know, we want to stick our fingers in light sockets. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:23.359 We want to eat dishwasher detergent. 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:25.759 We think we can go downstairs. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.759 It's true for all of us. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.880 It doesn't come natural. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:34.160 We are bombarded with foolishness. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:37.359 We're bombarded with foolishness. 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:42.319 Proverbs 4 says, if you prize wisdom, she will make you great. 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:46.319 Embrace her, and she will honor you. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:49.119 She will place a lovely wreath on your head. 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:51.920 She will present you with a beautiful crown. 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:59.039 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:05.839 So we started with a daydream together, but this is not a dream. 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:07.359