Wisdom’s Cry: A Summer Series Part I
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor Lisa’s sermon from June 7, 2026
Let’s Break it Down
Wisdom requires humility, teachability, and building our lives on God's Word rather than cultural standards. When we choose wisdom, we position ourselves for blessing and create stability that can weather any storm.
Key Takeaways
Wisdom and folly are both calling out for our attention every day, and the choices we make in response will either lead us toward life or toward destruction.
The fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. It is not a Spirit of terror but a deep awe and reverence for God that shapes every decision and leads to obedience born out of love.
Wisdom is not just knowing the truth but applying it. It comes at a high cost because it requires surrendering our own will and our own sense of being right.
Wise people are teachable and correctable. Pride blinds us to wisdom, while humility opens us to growth and keeps us on the right path.
Every choice has consequences, and the life built on God's word and His ways is like a house built on solid rock. It will stand through every storm.
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5-Day Devotional
Day 1: The High Price of Wisdom
Devotional
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to make consistently good decisions while others struggle with the same mistakes repeatedly? The difference often comes down to wisdom - and whether we're willing to pay its price. Wisdom isn't free. It costs us our pride, our need to be right, and our desire to do things our own way. When we pursue wisdom, we're essentially saying, "God, I don't know everything, and I need Your guidance." That's a humbling admission that many find difficult to make. Yet this is where true transformation begins. Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 9 has prepared a banquet and sent out invitations, but not everyone accepts. Some prefer the easy path of folly, which promises immediate gratification without the hard work of growth. The beautiful truth is that wisdom is available to everyone. God doesn't withhold it from certain people or make it impossible to obtain. But He does require us to surrender our own understanding and trust His ways instead. This surrender isn't a one-time event - it's a daily choice to value God's perspective over our own limited view.
Bible Verse
'The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.' - Psalm 19:7
Reflection Question
What area of your life are you most reluctant to surrender to God's wisdom, and what might be holding you back?
Quote
Wisdom is available to all of us, but the price is very high. So not everyone's willing to pay the price for wisdom.
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize that Your wisdom is worth any price I might pay. Give me the courage to surrender my own understanding and trust in Your perfect ways.
Day 2: The Foundation of All Wisdom
Devotional
What does it mean to "fear the Lord"? It's not about cowering in terror or walking on eggshells around an angry God. Instead, it's about having such profound respect and awe for who God is that it transforms how we approach every aspect of life. Think about someone you deeply respect - perhaps a mentor, parent, or leader. When you're around them, you naturally want to honor them with your words and actions. You consider their opinion before making decisions because you value their wisdom and care about their approval. This is similar to the fear of the Lord, but infinitely deeper. When we truly grasp God's power, holiness, and love, it creates a healthy reverence that influences every choice we make. We begin to see our decisions through the lens of eternity rather than just the immediate moment. We start asking, "What would honor God?" instead of "What do I want?" This isn't about following rules out of obligation - it's about love. When we understand that God's ways are always for our good, even when they're difficult, we begin to trust His guidance completely. This trust becomes the foundation upon which all other wisdom is built.
Bible Verse
'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.' - Proverbs 9:10
Reflection Question
How might your daily decisions change if you truly believed that God's ways are always designed for your ultimate good?
Quote
The fear of the Lord is having such an awe and such a respect for him and His Word and His power.
Prayer
Father, deepen my reverence for You. Help me see Your commands not as restrictions, but as loving guidance from a perfect Father who wants the best for me.
Day 3: The Beauty of Being Teachable
Devotional
One of the most attractive qualities a person can possess isn't physical beauty, intelligence, or charisma - it's teachability. There's something genuinely beautiful about someone who can receive correction without becoming defensive, who listens to instruction with an open heart, and who admits when they don't know something. Pride is wisdom's greatest enemy. When we think we have all the answers or become defensive when someone offers guidance, we shut ourselves off from growth. But humility opens the door to endless learning and transformation. Being teachable doesn't mean being gullible or accepting every piece of advice that comes our way. True teachability involves discernment - weighing counsel against God's Word and seeking wisdom from mature believers who demonstrate godly character in their own lives. The most successful people in any field are often those who never stop learning. They ask questions, seek mentorship, and remain curious about how they can improve. This principle applies even more powerfully to our spiritual lives. When we approach God and His Word with a teachable spirit, we position ourselves for continuous growth and blessing. Remember, even the wisest person you know is still learning. Wisdom isn't a destination - it's a lifelong journey of growth and discovery.
Bible Verse
'Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.' - Proverbs 9:9
Reflection Question
When was the last time you genuinely thanked someone for correcting you or offering constructive feedback?
Quote
There's nothing more beautiful than a teachable person.
Prayer
God, soften my heart to receive instruction and correction with grace. Help me see feedback as a gift that leads to growth rather than a threat to my ego.
Day 4: Building on the Right Foundation
Devotional
Every building needs a solid foundation, and the same is true for our lives. We can build on the shifting sands of popular opinion, cultural trends, or personal feelings - or we can build on the unshakeable foundation of God's Word. Culture changes constantly. What's considered acceptable or even celebrated today might be condemned tomorrow. Social media trends come and go. Popular philosophies rise and fall. But God's truth remains constant across generations, cultures, and circumstances. This doesn't mean we ignore the world around us or become irrelevant to our culture. Instead, it means we filter everything through the lens of Scripture. We engage with our world while being anchored to eternal truth. Building on God's foundation requires intentionality. It means regularly reading His Word, not just when we're in crisis. It means surrounding ourselves with people who share our commitment to biblical truth. It means making decisions based on what God says is right, even when it's unpopular or costly. The beautiful promise is that when storms come - and they will - those who have built their lives on God's Word will stand firm. The winds may blow and the rains may fall, but the foundation will hold.
Bible Verse
'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.' - Psalm 119:105
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you tempted to follow cultural standards rather than God's standards, and how can you realign with His truth?
Quote
Culture should not be our standard for our decisions. We don't compare with the world's standards. We align ourselves with God's word and his standards.
Prayer
Lord, help me build my life on the solid foundation of Your Word. Give me wisdom to discern truth from deception in our changing world.
Day 5: Choosing Life Every Day
Devotional
Every single day, we face a fundamental choice: life or death, blessing or curse, wisdom or folly. These aren't just dramatic, once-in-a-lifetime decisions - they're the small, seemingly insignificant choices we make throughout each day. Wisdom always does now what it will be happy with later. It looks beyond the immediate pleasure or convenience to consider the long-term consequences. Folly, on the other hand, promises instant gratification but delivers lasting regret. The encouraging truth is that no matter what choices you've made in the past, today offers a fresh start. You can begin making wise choices right now. The past doesn't have to determine your future. God's mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient for every mistake. One choice really can change the entire trajectory of your life. That choice might be to forgive someone who hurt you, to break free from a destructive habit, to pursue reconciliation in a broken relationship, or to finally surrender an area of your life to God's control. As you face decisions today - big and small - remember that you're not just choosing for this moment. You're choosing the kind of person you're becoming and the kind of life you're building. Choose wisdom. Choose life. You'll never regret walking in God's ways.
Bible Verse
'This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.' - Deuteronomy 30:19
Reflection Question
What one choice could you make today that would set you on a better path for tomorrow?
Quote
The past can be in the past. Just start anew today, making the choice for life. You'll never, ever be disappointed.
Prayer
Father, give me the courage to choose Your ways even when they're difficult. Help me see beyond temporary pleasure to eternal blessing.