Today I flipped back to the first page of my 2017 journal – the page where I poured out my honest, wrecked heart as I began my journey with the Lord this year.
I had been frustrated.
Frustrated with too much noise and not enough stillness.
Frustrated with too much stuff and not enough substance.
Frustrated with too much deception and not enough truth.
Frustrated with too much distraction and not enough focus.
Frustrated with too much temporary and not enough eternal.
Frustrated with too much of me and not enough of Jesus.
Sure, I read my Bible. But I wanted this year to be different. In my wrestling, God was calling me to more.
I wanted the words on those thin pages to be more than just a duty. I wanted more than just a hurried repeat of the same familiar verses. I wanted relationship instead of rules; sweet fellowship over busyness. Instead of information I wanted transformation. I was ready for new depth and change and purpose. More than anything, I longed for a wisdom that’s not of this world.
I knew it was going to take sincere desire and commitment. I’d have to prioritize my schedule, shift my perspective, and shut off the noise. It wasn’t going to be easy, and I was fully aware that I couldn’t do it on my own strength. And so in the quiet of my kitchen on an early January morning, on page one I asked for it:
“Father, I’m asking You – by Your great power – to reveal Your written words to me in full clarity and truth, for as much as you would enlighten me in Your supernatural ways as I walk this earth. Your ways are higher than mine, yet I long to know You and desire to walk in the fullness of who You are in the here and now. More than stuff or approval or empty worldly pursuits that will never satisfy, I desire wisdom straight from You, God. As I open these pages, give me fresh eyes and a humble, open heart to receive all that You have for me. Lord, I want to KNOW YOU; to never tire or quit in the pursuit of knowing You more. Jesus, remove all barriers and distractions and open my eyes to see all that You have for me through Your Word and through Your Spirit living in me. With my whole heart I long to intimately, obediently, faithfully walk in Your ways. Give me more. Give me Jesus.
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
Build: to develop according to a systematic plan.
Establish: to make firm; to cause to grow and multiply; to put in a favorable position.
Fill: to put in as much as can be held.
Father, hear my cry, let me never tire, and fill me to the brim with Your wisdom so that I might speak, shine, and stand for You…
Let’s Talk: What’s ONE thing that has stood out/encouraged/challenged/changed YOU as a result of our time in Proverbs together? We can’t wait to celebrate with you in the comments!
At His feet,
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Our next study, Broken & Redeemed, begins on March 6th!
Throughout Scripture, we read stories of broken people. But the beauty of God’s Word is that it is not just a story of tragedy. Woven throughout the Bible is also the greatest story of redemption. In this six-week Love God Greatly study, you’re invited to see the goodness of God as He remembers Sarah throughout her years of infertility. Come see Him care for Naomi as she deals with loss and loneliness. Behold our great God who gave Moses courage, Paul true zeal, and the adulterous woman forgiveness and the chance of a new life. All of the people we will study – and us included – have hearts and souls that need rescuing. Ultimately we will find that the answer to all of our brokenness – no matter who we are or what we’ve done – is Christ himself. So grab your friends, crack open your Bible, and together let’s rejoice with the broken and redeemed of God!
Grab our Broken & Redeemed study journal and corresponding kids’ study journal on Amazon today!
I’ve seen personal growth since I began this journey weeks ago. I love the way his word whispers to me with wisdom and grace. I’m grateful for quiet time spent in his word.
Driving to be more mindful of my noble character and wisdom; that I would established in my home with my bible devotions!
K. I’m so happy you found yourself growing with this study. Hearing His whisper is such a true blessing. Thank you for being with us and hope you will be here for the upcoming Broken and Redeemed study as well.
God makes the plan. That is my challenge. In SOAP’ing this verse, Whitney outlined it perfectly: our first step is to build and develop according to a (God’s) systematic plan.
I’m used to making the plans, first, then developing steps to build, establish and fill.
Thank you, I’ve enjoyed this study very much!
Your very welcome and glad you have enjoyed the study. May the plans you make be always guided by God
Staying Focused in GOD’S perspective!!! This has encouraged me to view the world with my heart, not my eyes. He is our shield, through Christ Jesus. Loved and cherished this study!!!
Our view with the heart! Such a goal to aspire to. ? Thank you for studying with us. We hope you will be back for our next one as well.
I’m not sure how many years I have been doing Bible studies with LGG – since it was called something else for sure. I have learned so much through the scriptures, the Facebook comments, & the blogs. This ministry has helped me gain wisdom for my house & I thank God for it.
Sheila! I second your sentiments. LGG has been such a tremendous blessing for so many. With God’s hand to guide LGG many will be able to bless even more lively women around the globe. Thank you fir being a part of our studies.
Whiteny,
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey with God; I can’t tell you how much it means to see you walking in faith; it gives me strength.
Candy
Whiteny,
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey with God; I can’t tell you how much it means to see you walking in faith; it gives me strength.
Candy
Godly women indeed are such a blessing and encouragement for us all. Thank you for studying along with us. May your walk of faith be an uplifting experience for others to be also encouraged in their walk.
Your words are so detailed and amazing. I sit and just stumble on what to say to God. And, when I read your words, I feel like they are mine. Thank you so much! I look forward to reading these daily.
Brenda, God is so good to hear us and He loves us so much that even when we can not put things into words He knows our hearts. We are so pleased you find the blog posts to be exactly what you need.
Oh my goodness, this is exactly how I’ve been feeling lately. This is my very first time to be with LGG, I am greatly encouraged already.
Welcome Laura! Thank you fir joining us today on the blog. We hope you will be with us more and join us for our next study that starts March 6th. May God richly encourage you on your walk of faith.
Thank you so much for this study! Starting the year off by walking through God’s wisdom has been amazing. It sets the foundation for learning so much this year and beyond. Thank you & your team for your leadership, prayers and example.
Praise God for the foundation He gave us! Thank you for joining with us for the Walking in Wisdom study. It truly has been the perfect study to start our year off with. We are praying for you all as well.
Thank you for this study and all the previous. Learning to look at the world with God’s eyes, not mine. It seems that all my studies this year have focused on that. I am amazed how one subject will come up through the day as I read different passages from my studies. Our God amazing. I thank each and every one of you for all the work you put in to share God’s Word with us.
Susan, we thank God that women like you get to be in His word daily. And God definitely likes to weave a message we need to hear throughout our lives. Let’s control bye to see with God’s perspective not ours.
I have started praying for Godly wisdom, and have been surprised at how much it fits in with all I’m learning on my relational walk with God and his Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Dear Whitney, I hear your heart. In our Christmas study, the gift I put before my nativity (instead of under my tree) for Him were the words of “I Long For Thee” by Chris & Diane Machen. That was in my heart to give Him …my longing for more of Him. The little gift with its written words inside sits on my mantel now as a reminder of that precious time spent with Him and my longing for more…of Him. So, yes, I hear your heart in this. With this ‘heart longing’, we went into our wisdom study. I have needed that! Battling illness for two months (not life threatening!) but making me draggy, I have needed His wisdom to keep me balanced mentally and emotionally. (illness is wearing!) Our Abba Father is SO faithful to guide us…in joyful times and hard times. Have loved being reminded and learning more about true wisdom and yearning now to share with my young adult grandchildren. Thank you for opening your heart to us. So precious! (That song by the Machens is on Utube…such a blessing. I listen to it every day.)
Thank you Whitney for sharing your heart. This walking in wisdom bible study has been a blessing, I’ve embraced His wisdom more. Thank you LGG ladies for all of your giving. God bless you!
Looking forward to next study.
Oh how I want to be the woman who is taken serious when I say, ‘okay folks NOW is my time to the study my Bible, to take time to spend with my Savior who is closer than my brother. Give me peace, give me space and give my Savior the respect He deserves!’
But you know what? Nobody here me! I’ve prayed about it and had “adult discussions” about it, but nothing is working! I really need help!
I don’t remember when I started praying for wisdom. The Holy Spirit revealed to me one day how critical it is and I have pursued it relentlessly since then. This study was so incredibly revealing and I am thankful that through this I could see places in my life where God was giving me HIS wisdom -marriage, school, relating to my adult children, my aging parents, my grand children, friends and strangers. I learned I could guard my heart and not allow the ugly of the world into our home. I see the Proverbs 31 woman with new eyes and know I want to be her! !
I so appreciate looking into the mirror of God’s Word every morning. Without fail the Holy Spirit gently tugs on my heart in some area and says “This is the way, walk here.” I appreciate the accountability and encouragement from you all and I love the format so much – all of us digging into the Word for ourselves. We are not encouraged enough to do that. Thank you – and may the Lord continue to pour out His blessings on you.
I would like to say how thankful I found your LGG app by just randomly looking through the App Store. It has been such an incredible inspiration, encouringing, life changing journey in just a few weeks since I have been involved with the devotions. I have been going to church since I was 9. Went to Christian school since, followed by Bible college. I felt stuck in my Bible reading and daily life. Read my Bible out of obligation and duity. Wanting more but honestly I didn’t want change. Thank you so very much ladies who week after week you pour your hearts out for ladies like me can see where God wants or changes in our own lives. What an incredible blessing you are to me ❤️ I sincerely am a life that has been changed.