What is Your Battle Cry?
“Freedom!” was the epic battle cry William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson 
in the movie Braveheart) that stirred his ragtag group of Scottish warriors. “Remember the Alamo!” was shouted by General Sam Houston, after the deaths of Texas independence fighters who held out for thirteen days outmanned and outgunned in a mission house called the Alamo. The cry rallied his troops against the superior Mexican army and reminded them of Texan courage under fire. “Give me liberty or give me death,” was spoken by Patrick Henry to raise a militia and fight against British tyrannical rule. It soon became the colonial minutemen battle cry as they marched under banners that read “Liberty or Death.”A New Battle CryAt the start of each year, I ask God to give me a new battle cry or a new focus. God may be able to offer some people a phrase or an entire prophecy but I’ve learned I can only handle a word or two. Last year mine was in-tune. I’d like to say I honed in on God, that I keyed in on His wavelength, but I was more like the talking dogs in the movie Up. One-minute God and I are having a great moment and then … squirrel. It was a yearlong growing process where I learned tuning-in also meant tuning some things out.A Daily Ask.For 2019, James 1:5 has come to my attention. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for 
asking.” In the past when I’ve read this I’ve always prayed, God help me to understand this specific circumstance, or what to say to this specific person, or what to write for this blog. However, it struck me that praying for wisdom shouldn’t be based solely on circumstances. It should be a daily ask. And since God’s ways are higher than our ways, wouldn’t we want to daily ask for wisdom to align our mind and logic with His?Don't Wait for Wisdom. Seek It.Don't just wait around for God to drop a wisdom bomb on you. It should be something that we seek out. Proverbs 2: 3-5 says, “Indeed, if you call out for insightand cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silverand search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lordand find the knowledge of God.”The book of Proverbs is an entire book of the Bible dedicated to wisdom and it has thirty-one chapters which happens to be one for every day of the month. It’s as if God knows we need a daily dose. If we ask, God has made it clear that He is willing to provide. When Solomon requested wisdom instead of riches, long life, or death to his enemies, it reads to me as if God was giddy to supply it. God told Solomon in 1 Kings 3:10-14, “I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!”I can picture God with a big triumphant smile, pumping his fist and saying, “Atta-boy.”Now, you probably won’t see me riding horseback, my face painted half blue, and raising my fist in the air and shouting, “WISDOM!” But, I am giddy myself when I think of what God is going to provide and how it will impact 2019 and the years to come. What is your word for this year? What is your Battle cry? Fight song? What is God putting on our heart? Ask for wisdom and our generous God will give it to you.Wishing you a wise and wonderful 2019!Happy New Year!Intelligence Vs. WisdomHere's a profound post I found on the difference between Intelligence and Wisdom.1. Intelligence leads to arguments.Wisdom leads to settlements.2. Intelligence is power of will.Wisdom is power OVER will.3. Intelligence is heat, it burns.Wisdom is warmth, it comforts.4. Intelligence is pursuit of knowledge, it tires the seeker.Wisdom is pursuit of truth, it inspires the seeker.5. Intelligence is holding on.Wisdom is letting go.6. Intelligence leads you.Wisdom guides you.7. An intelligent man thinks he knows everything.A wise man knows that there is still something to learn.8. An intelligent man always tries to prove his point.A wise man knows there really is no point.9. An intelligent man freely gives unsolicited advice.A wise man keeps his counsel until all options are considered.10. An intelligent man understands what is being said.A wise man understands what is left unsaid.11. An intelligent man speaks when he has to say something.A wise man speaks when he has something to say.12. An intelligent man sees everything as relative.A wise man sees everything as related.Intelligence is goodbut wisdom receives better resultsI found this on the Beyond the Opposites blog page. To see the full post along with some life hacks regarding smart verses wise people click here:http://beyondtheopposites.com/