Wisdom

I have been studying the Proverbs lately and am so excited about what God has been showing me. I also think it's so cool that He has shown things to me in ways that make since; pulling things together even when they are not listed together in the Word. I know this is God working because it is usually not my forte to "connect the dots".
So just in case you're interested, Here is what God has shown me...

When wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul
Then discretion will preserve you
To deliver you from:
Evil,
The one who speaks perverse things,
Those who leave the path of uprightness to walk in darkness,
Those who are crooked and devious in their path,
Immoral women
So that you may walk in the way of goodness and be kept in the paths of righteousness.

So, how do you get this wisdom and knowledge?
It's in the Word of God. In particular, Proverbs.
Proverbs starts out by saying that it is written for:
Knowing and receiving wisdom and instruction
Perceiving words of understanding, justice, judgment and equity
Giving prudence /discretion
It also says:
The wise will hear and increase learning
A man of understanding will attain wise counsel

Wisdom will:
Hear instruction, not forsake the law
Keep foot from path of sinners, do not consent to their enticement
Find out knowledge and discretion
Turn at God’s reproof, -then God will pour the Holy Spirit on you and make His word known to you.


If you receive the Word and treasure commandments
So that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply heart to understand
If you cry out for discernment and lift up your voice for understanding,
Seek her as silver,
Search for her as for hidden treasures,
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge of God.

The Proverbs also talk about characteristics of wisdom,
that it cries out, dwells in prudence, is found by diligent seekers
So it's not hiding from us. God makes it clear to us, if we will look for it.
Also, God promises us that whoever listens to God will dwell safely and will be secure, without fear of evil.

"Beautiful"

So, how can I call myself beautiful? Am I prideful, well yes and no and usually yes. You want honesty? Here it is, with a little bit of humor! Calling myself beautiful does not come from a prideful heart. However, wondering if you'll think I'm prideful because I call myself beautiful, that comes from my pride.

...Here's the story...

My name is Linda. When I was younger some people who had authority over me used to say my name in a way that made me grow to hate hearing it. When I was a teenager I got a job and used a variation of my middle name. People had a hard time remembering it because it was an uncommon name (which I still like). So I told them my real name and they all began to call me Lin. I liked the way they said it, all short and chummy like. I began to use that name everywhere, not just at work. I even told some of my family I preferred it. My grammy especially caught on and still uses it. Anywhoo.....

One day while I was in prayer searching for God, seeking Him. I asked Him to help me to see myself as He saw me. He spoke to me that He considered me beautiful and that He gave me my name as a lifelong reminder of His thoughts toward me. He also showed me that it was me who had changed my name, not Him, and I should go back to being called what He had named me. I had always thought of my name as coming from my parents, but that day He showed me that even before I was born, He knew who I was, and called me by name. The name He had chosen. How beautiful and precious to me that was. (As I recount this story, I am so amazed at His love toward me and realize that I had forgotten to remember the intimate details of our conversation that day.)

So I go by Linda, which means pretty or beautiful because God told me to.

Praise the lord that His thoughts toward us are good!

...About the "Daughter of the King" part... maybe I'll tell about that later. ~You can probably guess the gist of it though. :)

Thanks for reading

P. S. Did you notice that the margins are "justified"?

Not only does it look nice, it's scriptural to be justifed. :0) <-- "a little bit of humor"