Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God

By Baker Publishing Group

Meditations on Wisdom from the Bible

Through inspiring selections from the Proverbs and other wisdom passages, Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God provides a respite from the pace and stress of life. Each of the 170 moving reflections, presented in a beautiful two-page, full-color spread, presents a devotional through and encouraging Scriptures, appealing to readers of all ages. Ideal for any gift-giving occasion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781441233899

Book preview

Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God

Copyright © 2011 GRQ, Inc.

Scripture quotations noted

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are from THE CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION. Copyright © 1991 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

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are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.

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are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963–1968, 1971, 1973–1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.lockman.org

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are from the Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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are from the Holy Bible: New International Version (North American Edition)® copyright © 1973–1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. www.zondervan.com

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are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

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are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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are from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible. Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of The Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher and the copyright owner. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Published by Bethany House Publishers

11400 Hampshire Avenue South

Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of

Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Editor: Lila Empson Wavering

Associate Editor: Natasha Sperling

Writing by Dwight Clough in association with Snapdragon Group℠

Compilation by Snapdragon Group℠ Tulsa, OK, USA

Design: Whisner Design Group

Ebook edition created 2011

All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3389-9

Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!

Proverbs 4:6 msg

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Epigraph

Introduction

God’s Wisdom

God Is Wise

From Beginning to End

Pleasing God

The Source

The Bigger Picture

The Gift of Salvation

Wisdom Rests in God

By Wisdom

Wisdom Endures

Building the House

No One Wiser

Aspiring to Wisdom

Living Wisely

Always Do Right

Heed My Warning

Live Quietly

Every Purpose

Tomorrow Is Unknown

A Clear Conscience

It’s All About Honor

All That You Do

Finding Life

Receiving Power

Running the Race

Making Plans

Handling Adversity

Happy Trouble

Eternal Glory

Good Cheer

Passing the Test

Constant Renewal

Receiving the Promises

Formula for Hope

Armed With Hope

Hold On!

Staying Strong

Staying Power

Righteous Rewards

Managing Money

First and Best

Common Sense

The Law of Giving

Honest Work

The Maker

Take It Easy

The Wink of an Eye

The Gift of God

No Satisfaction

The Good Life

True Contentment

Trusted With a Little

Every Need

Two Masters

Little by Little

Kingdom Riches

Speaking Wisely

Fountain of Life

Flowing With Wisdom

Honest Evidence

Friendly Advice

Words of Wisdom

Putting Out the Fire

Burning Lips

Haste Makes Waste

Speaking Up

Silence Is Golden

Meaningless Words

Timely Speech

Choosing Health

Do No Harm

Giving an Answer

Helpful Words

Healing Words

Slow to Speak

Walking in Integrity

Guard Your Reputation

Guided by Integrity

Guarding the Way

He Won’t Hold Back

Worthy Conduct

He Is a Shield

Good Deeds

Showing Up the Darkness

Seeing God

Testing the Heart

Finding Rest

Honest Scales

Being Wise at Work

Under God

Work Ethic

Respecting Oversight

Working Hard

Just Do It

Honor Authority

A Good Kind of Tired

Good Returns

Righteous Rest

Counting the Cost

Wisdom Wins

Don’t Give Up

Your Best Work

Faithful and Wise

Your Reward

Making a Profit

Everything You Do

Your Best

Walking in Humility

Taking Advice

Wise Choices

Fear of the Lord

Thinking Versus Being

Learning From Others

Gaining Honor

The Walk of Humility

Grace and Disgrace

Showing Respect

Learning From the Lord

The Afflicted

Pleasing the Lord

Upholding God’s Justice

Lifted Up

Solving the Riddle

Receiving Grace

With Love

Abundance of Peace

Walking in Wisdom

Giving What Is Due

Watching What You Do

Peaceful Enemies

Temper, Temper

Working Smart

Good Judgment

The Power of Confession

Affirming Faithfulness

Speaking to Anger

Starting Young

Follow Justice

Being an Example

Love and Good Works

In Obedience

Wisdom in Relationships

A Powerful Influence

At All Times

Overlooking an Offense

Showing the Way

Listening to Wisdom

Real Friends

Respecting God’s Boundaries

Trusted With Secrets

Setting the Pace

In Everything—Love

Faithful Friends

The Power of Forgiveness

Serving Others

Doing to Others

Walking in Kindness

A Kind Woman

A Merciful Man

Kind Words

Honoring God

Practice Kindness

In Kind

A Cup of Water

Brotherly Love

Rejecting Payback

The Kindness of a Friend

The Least of All

The Best Trait

Defining Love

Adding Love

Wisdom’s Lessons

Taking Instruction

Trusting God

Love and Loyalty

Regarding Discipline

Personal Responsibility

Gaining Strength

Strong Families

Words of Light

Lessons of Old

Practice These Things

God’s Correction

The Right People

In Closing

Back Cover

Introduction

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.

James 1:5

nrsv

Loosely defined, the word wisdom refers to applied knowledge. Sometimes it’s enough simply to know something, but most often it’s essential to know how to use what you know. God makes bountiful amounts of wisdom available to you. Just ask! he has said. I’m ready, willing, and able to give you all the wisdom you need. What an offer!

We hope Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God will help you avoid unexpected delays, dangerous detours, and confusing switchbacks as you travel through your life.

May God bless you on your journey.

As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it, and everyone who uses it will be happy.

Proverbs 3:18

ncv

God’s Wisdom

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.

Proverbs 3:13–14 nrsv

God Is Wise

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.

Job 9:4

nkjv

A little boy once boasted to his neighbor, My father is eight feet tall! What did he mean? Was the dad really a giant? No, of course not. His statement was just a child’s way of saying that when he was with his dad, he felt that nothing could harm him. He felt safe.

In the same way, you can feel safe with God, not only because he is strong but also because he is trustworthy. God is more than the biggest kid on the block. God is more than the brilliant architect of the universe. The wisdom by which God rules comes from his heart of love. You can look up and know that he cares.

God, I need to feel safe. Thank you that I can feel safe with you. I trust your wisdom for me. Amen.

The beloved of the Lord rests in safety—the High God surrounds him all day long—the beloved rests between his shoulders.

Deuteronomy 33:12

nrsv

From Beginning to End

No one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

nkjv

Who fashioned the rings of Saturn, arranged the stars of the Milky Way, and put all the galaxies in place? Who set in motion the laws of physics? Who can say what will happen tomorrow? Who sees into the future and can describe our final destiny?

Looking forward or looking back, we come to a simple but profound conclusion: God is in control, and we are not. This is great comfort for people of faith. We who are prone to making mistakes can put our trust in the one who never makes mistakes. Our God is good, and he will make things right. Only he holds the threads of eternity in his hands.

God, you alone know the end from the beginning. I trust my life and my eternal destiny to you and your love for me. Amen.

Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us.

2 Timothy 1:9

cev

Pleasing God

To the one who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

nrsv

God delights in you, his child. His unconditional love extends to you no matter what. But certain behaviors bring spiritual rewards, just as diligent practice brings athletic achievement. Our humble obedience pleases God and paves the way to wisdom.

This is important to understand because wisdom is connected to a person—God himself. Without a relationship with God, wisdom will elude us. Reading books, attending classes, asking questions—these things are helpful, but none will, by itself, grant wisdom. Wisdom comes primarily from relationship rather than from study. This is why it’s possible for smart people to miss what is important. Do you want the joy of true understanding? Seek to please God, and wisdom will follow.

God, thank you for delighting in me. Please show me how to please you. I want your wisdom, knowledge, and joy. Amen.

I always remember you in my prayers,

Reviews for Moments of Peace in the Wisdom of God

[stcborromeo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When we pause from our daily routine, we catch a glimpse of the divine mystery at the heart of life. We become aware of God's awesome majestry simply revealed in the beauty of his creation. through inspiring Psalms and meditations, Moments of Peace in the Presence of God celebrates the gifts God gives you each day- for your pleasure, for your peace.