Understanding

Day 1

Understanding: "to be prudent, act wisely, give attention to, ponder, prosper"

tebunah: the act of wisdom/understanding, it is used 42 times in scripture...

Understanding is rarely used without the words wisdom or knowledge. One description from Wikepedia says "...knowledge is the simple awareness of bits of information. Understanding is the awareness of the connection between the individual pieces of this information. It is understanding which allows knowledge to be put to use...."

We will take a look at a lot of the aspects of understanding in scripture. I don't know that I can define it with a tangible word for word description. I can tell you that it is an important part of our lives and an important step in growing in grace. If you want your roots to go deep, it goes farther then just the reading and "knowing". You need to put the pieces together and find out how they apply to you, your life and your relationship with our Lord and Savior.

Colossians 1:8-12
8and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
9For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Day 2

Out of curiosity, how many self-help books do you own? How many Christian living books? How many have you read? I can tell you my book shelves are full with many I have read and many that are book-marked for the someday I get back to it. I have an incredible thirst for knowledge. I love to read and learn. I like to believe that in all of my book smarts and knowledge I find a better understanding of my faith and who I am in Christ.

I have found that there are differences in finding answers to questions and getting understanding. I have questions, a lot of questions. Thank God for Google (most of the time). The thing I find with understanding is that it takes it to the next level. As a Christian I know that God is the Creator. I didn't understand the greatness of calling Him Creator until the birth of my first daughter. All of the pieces and parts working together to form a beautiful child. Add to that the experiences of standing beneath the great Redwood trees or floating on the Mississippi. Our God is amazing and my understanding of His amazing creativity is still very small.

Proverbs 1:1-7
The Usefulness of Proverbs
1The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
2To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding,
3To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity;
4To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,
5A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
6To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.
7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Day 3

Proverbs 2:2,3,6..
2Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding;
3For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;
6For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Why do I need understanding?

What will I get with understanding?

Where do I get understanding?

I love the Proverb above, mostly because it reminds me that it is not with my mind, but with my heart and worship and relationship with the Living Word that I will find the understanding that I seek.

We would love to hear from you. If you have had an experience where wisdom and knowledge went to the next level to understanding would you share it with us, add it to the comments at the end of this blog. If you would like to share your answers to these questions, please share those too.

Day 4

"Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."~2 Timothy 2:7

"We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life." ~1John 5:19-20

Really?! Everything?!

Yes, for all of you doubters out there. God has been there, seen it and wrote a book about it. He gave you a living spirit that guides you, protects you and helps you. He Created all of the beauty that surrounds you for goodness sakes. I know he wants you to understand the love he has for you. I know He has given you freedom through His grace and mercy. I understand that we are new, born again, because of His sacrifice and our faith.

Day 5

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11

God's Word is full of amazing promises. Including the one in Jeremiah that has been written in thousands of graduation cards this past month. God has plans for you. God wants to give you hope, a future.

It is easy as Christians to walk around wondering why we are going through the trials It is frustrating to struggle when we have the Spirit of God living inside of us. It becomes even easier to become bitter and resentful in today's world when we rarely wait for anything. Our impatience in a grocery store line carries over into our faith.

What if you need a little wisdom, a little knowledge and a little experience before you can carry out the plans God has for you? What if God wants you to get understanding so that you can do His will in your life?

"The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding." ~Proverbs 4:7

Heavenly Father~Praise your Name for all of the blessings and abundance and health that you have pored into my life and the lives of those around me. Thank you for your beauty and strength. Forgive me for all of the time I spend reading and googling and gaining knowledge from places other then you. May I spend more time desiring your knowledge and understanding not only with my mind but in my heart and in my worship. Remind me Father that in the midst of my everyday life that you are giving me the opportunities to know you and understand you in my experiences. May my life be a poring out of your love and beauty. ~In Jesus Precious Name.