Pactolus Baptist Church

Daily Devotional

By Pastor Jerry Teboe

A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026

Seek Wisdom

Proverbs 1:5-7

 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: Pro 1:6  To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. Pro 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Solomon begins his book of wisdom with teachings on wisdom and foolishness.  He uses comparison at times and contrast at others.  Sometimes, he just shows the results of foolish decisions and how a wise decision is much to be preferred.

                In today’s verses, he makes a statement.  A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.  The truth here is simple.  A person who is wise will listen to counsel.  He will increase in learning as a result.  The one who really pays attention and allows wisdom to be his goal will seek even more wise counsel. 

This should be the goal of each believer.  We should seek to know God’s Word and then seek to walk in His ways.  That is true wisdom.

The last verse gives clear teaching.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  The fear of God, which is really a reverence and respect for who God is, is the true beginning of knowledge.  What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?  Wisdom is the understanding of a truth.   Knowledge is the application of that truth put to good use.  Some people who think they are wise are foolish because they do not put that truth into practice in their lives, so it does not become knowledge to them.  That is the fool.  He is the one who is given wisdom, and he does not accept it.   He despises wisdom and instruction.

Let us strive to seek wisdom and not allow ourselves to become fools by ignoring wise counsel.  Let’s seek the Lord and pray for His wisdom.  James 1:5 tells us that we can seek wisdom and God will give it to us. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

                Wisdom is available to the one who really seeks it.    If we desire to be a wise servant, we should seek wisdom and godly counsel.  

Lord, help us to have your wisdom and be led by your Spirit in all that we do!

Bible Reading for the Year

Prayer Needs

Continue to pray for Mary and the rest of the Marvin Silverthorne family as they remember Marvin in his homegoing. 

Please pray for Shea Harris, Maggie Harris’s stepson.  He is in the cardiac unit in Greenville ECU.  He was in afib, and they couldn’t get his heart rate down.  They will try to shock his heart into normal rhythm Monday.

Please pray for Shirley Deal, Carolyn Tyson’s sister.  She is back in the hospital in Washington.  Her sodium levels are low, and they can’t get them under control.

Please pray for Willie Pollard, Deb Skinner’s brother.  He has a fever and COPD.  They also drew fluid off of his lungs last Thursday morning.  He will be having a CT scan on his lungs.

Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister.  She was moved to rehab Sunday for physical therapy and to help improve her eating.   The family greatly appreciates your prayers.

Please continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer.  She went last Thursday for her Keytruda infusion.  Her hemoglobin was low, and they had to give her another infusion.  Pray for healing and strength for her, for the tumors to shrink, and that the medication will not cause inflammation in her lungs.

Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans.   She is home and some better but is still weak.  Pray for wisdom for the next step forward.

Linda Franks wants to thank everyone who prayed for her.  She had a follow-up visit with the surgeon on Tuesday, and all went very well.     

Please continue to pray for Beth Buchta.  On Thursday, September 10^th, she had an appointment with her orthopedist about the ongoing pain in her leg.  She starts physical therapy on October 19^th.

Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan.  The doctors changed his meds which has helped him, and he is getting stronger. Please continue to pray for him.

Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton.  Pray for God’s healing.  She has some good days and some bad ones.

Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren.  She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting some better. 

Pray for our Missionaries! 

Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia

Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries) 

Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia