JANUARY 6 - BECOME LIKE JESUS, PURSUE WISDOM
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” (Luke 2:52)
Devotional Thought: What kind of choices do you need to make as we begin 2026? In this new year we want to make good decisions in regards to our health, finances, relationships, vocation and/or walk with the Lord. And the closer we get to Jesus and the more we become like Him, the better our decisions will be. The Bible says that one of the primary goals of the Christian is to become more and more like Jesus in our attitudes, ambitions and actions (Romans 8:28-29, Ephesians 4:13-15). And in Luke 2:52 we’re told that Jesus grew “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” during His younger years. Therefore, for the rest of this week we want to learn from Jesus’ example how to make good choices in those important areas of our lives.
Luke 2:52 tells us that “Jesus grew in wisdom.” Do you know any unwise people? I’m sure we all do. Have you ever made any unwise decisions, I’m sure we all have. So, what are some steps we can take to obtain God’s supernatural wisdom for our lives?
One way we can “grow in godly wisdom” is by studying the Bible. The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” Paul was reminding us that both the Old and New Testaments are the infallible Word of God. And that we learn about the Lord and receive wisdom from the Lord as we learn and live out God’s Word.
So, how do we appropriate God’s Word for our lives? First, we appropriate God’s Word by reading it. 1 Timothy 4:13 says that we are to “Focus on reading the Scriptures . . .” Every day we need to take some time to read God’s Word if we’re going to learn about Jesus and learn about His will and way for our lives. A George Barna poll from several years ago discovered that 75% of Americans think it’s important to read the Bible, but only 13% of Americans do so on a daily basis.
Also, we appropriate God’s Word by hearing it. Paul said, “What you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching.” (2 Timothy 1:13). We all need to learn from gifted teachers, who can help us to understand and apply God’s Word to our lives.
Third, we appropriate God’s Word by studying it. Acts 17:11 says about the Berean Christians, “They searched the Scriptures day after day . . .” “Searching the Scriptures” is more than reading the Bible; it’s the process of trying to learn and understand the truths of the Bible. For example, when a person is waterskiing, they’re skimming along on the surface, enjoying the beauty of the water and landscape around them. But when a person goes scuba diving they go deep into water, and discover things they never dreamed were there. It’s the same when we’re really searching through the Scriptures. Reading the Bible is enjoyable, but carefully studying the Bible is profitable for our lives.
And we appropriate God’s Word by believing it. We have to believe what we’re reading, hearing and studying to have the faith needed to follow the Lord and live by His wisdom. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Do you want to be successful in 2026? Remember what God said in Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Prayer Focus: Lord, help me to to really commit in 2026 to reading, hearing, studying and believing Your Word, so I can live the strong, successful life You want me to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Follow-Up Activity: Find and commit to a Bible Reading Plan that will work for you throughout 2026. Several Daily Bible Reading Plans can be found at www.celebrationchurch.org/resources.
