There are a lot of smart people that have had their lives unravel because of the decisions they've made.  A Congressman or world-class golfer has an affair and suddenly life is dramatically different.  Thousands have lost fortunes betting on real estate booms that have turn to busts...  We work with them, we live near them, and we see them in the news.... smart people that just seem to have a hard time managing life decisions and direction.  If I'm honest, I've certainly been there done that...

It's one thing to be smart, it's special to be wise...  So how can we gain wisdom?

• Ask for it.  A great prayer, "God, please give me wisdom for Your people..." King Solomon's one request from God was to have wisdom to govern God's people...  God poured more favor and blessing on his life beyond what he asked for... regarded as the wisest man to ever live, his wisdom came from God
• Stay in love with God.  Solomon became "half-hearted" in his devotion to God, unintended consequences come when we fall out of love with God... 
• Read the Bible.  If we aren't praying+ acknowledging Him+ reading the Bible= Lack of Wisdom
• Proactive Choices.  What are we filling our minds with?  What are we doing day to day, week to week?  Attending a church can help fill our minds with God's truths... Surrounding ourselves with people trying to seek after God is another great step... Some of these things we simply need to put first in our lives...

Other Wisdom Nuggets:

• Wisdom is not about having a lot of facts and information.... It's about having information and using it wisely...
• Just because Solomon had all the wisdom in the world, he still didn't always use it!  Having it doesn't mean you'll use it...
• Life without God = Small vision...  We get to choose, our way and our priorities or God's plan for our lives...

So what can be my next step?

Join us January 18th to launch into a youversion.com reading plan.  Together we will read the entire Bible in one year!  Check out youversion.com for a sneak peek...  We will have more information on this site soon with the details!  I need wisdom in my life.  Let's do this!

You may still be wondering if this God-thing, the Bible, and all this stuff about wisdom is legitimate...  You're skeptical.  That's OK.  Keep checking things out, keep asking questions....  We believe you have a purpose and matter to God and thanks for hanging around...

Watch Mark Beeson's message here on wisdom... 

Proverbs 4:5
- Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.

Proverbs 4:7
- Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 16:16
- How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

Proverbs 17:16
- Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?

Proverbs 19:8
- He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.