BOOKS BY T.D. JAKES 40 Days of Power 365 Days of Healing, Blessings, and Freedom Anointing Fall on Me Insights to Help You to Survive Your Peaks & Valleys Help Me, I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up! Hope for Every Moment It’s Time to Reveal What God Longs to Heal Power for Living Release Your Anointing The Harvest Water in the Wilderness Why? Because You’re Anointed! Woman, Thou Art Loosed AVAILABLE FROM DESTINY IMAGE PUBLISHERS Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 2 11/8/10 3:50 PM Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 3 11/8/10 3:50 PM © Copyright 2010 – T.D. Jakes All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Please note that Destiny Image’s publishing style capitalizes certain pronouns in Scripture that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ from some publishers’ styles. Take note that the name satan and related names are not capitalized. We choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatical rules. Compiled by Angela Rickabaugh Shears DESTINY IMAGE PUBLISHERS, INC. ® P.O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310 “Speaking to the Purposes of God for This Generation and for the Generations to Come.” This book and all other Destiny Image, Revival Press, MercyPlace, Fresh Bread, Destiny Image Fiction, and Treasure House books are available at Christian bookstores and distributors worldwide. For a U.S. bookstore nearest you, call 1-800-722-6774. For more information on foreign distributors, call 717-532-3040. Reach us on the Internet: www.destinyimage.com. Hardcover: Trade Paper: ISBN 10: 0-7684-3151-4 ISBN 10: 0-7684-3202-2 ISBN 13: 978-0-7684-3151-3 ISBN 13: 978-0-7684-3202-2 For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A. Hardcover: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 / 13 12 11 10 Trade Paper: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 / 13 12 11 10 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 4 11/8/10 3:50 PM Contents Introduction....................................................7 1. Wisdom and Peace ............................................ 11 2 Wisdom in Knowing God ..................................... 17 3. Wisdom in Hearing God ...................................... 23 4. Wisdom in Building Up ....................................... 31 5. Wisdom and Purpose.......................................... 37 6. Wisdom of Significance........................................ 45 7. Wisdom of Fire ............................................... 51 8. Wisdom Through Healing ..................................... 57 9. Wisdom of Progressing ........................................ 63 10. Wisdom in Switching Channels ................................ 69 11. Wisdom of Pentecost.......................................... 75 12. Wisdom and His Army ........................................ 81 13. Wisdom in That Certain Place ................................. 87 14. Wisdom in Faith.............................................. 93 15. Wisdom in Searching.......................................... 99 16. Wisdom in Praying in Tongues ................................ 105 17. Wisdom, Not Pity Parties..................................... 111 18. Wisdom and Regret .......................................... 117 19. Wisdom and Names.......................................... 123 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 5 11/8/10 3:50 PM 20. Wisdom of a Good Attitude .................................. 129 21. Wisdom to Struggle .......................................... 135 22. Wisdom Through Persistence ................................. 141 23. Wisdom Through Patience.................................... 147 24. Wisdom and Compassion..................................... 153 25. Wisdom Sirens............................................... 159 26. Wisdom and Anointed People ................................ 165 27. Wisdom and the Presence of God.............................. 171 28. Wisdom in the Wilderness.................................... 177 29. Wisdom Over the Enemy..................................... 183 30. Wisdom and Praise........................................... 189 31. Wisdom and Music........................................... 195 32. Wisdom and Worship ........................................ 201 33. Wisdom of Second Chances .................................. 209 34. Wisdom of Now ............................................. 215 35. Wisdom Versus False Teachings ............................... 221 36. Wisdom Versus Pride......................................... 227 37. Wisdom of Asking for Help................................... 233 38. Wisdom and Rebellion ....................................... 239 39. Wisdom and Superman....................................... 247 40. Wisdom to Celebrate!........................................ 255 Endnotes.................................................... 261 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 6 11/8/10 3:50 PM Introduction Wisdom S OLOMON asked God for it. Universities espouse its virtues. Pastors pray for it. Parents want to believe their children have it. Students hope for it. Executives bank on it. Some rationalize it. Others brag about it. Most want more of it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who stood firm against Hitler’s poli- cies during World War II and was subsequently executed for his stance, defines wisdom this way, “To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom.” Within today’s 24-7 communication culture, it is many times hard to “recognize the significant in the factual.” In our virtual reality worldwide society, someone’s “wisdom” can be— and is—blogged, Twittered, Skyped, emailed, and Facebooked 7 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 7 11/8/10 3:50 PM Wisdom From T.D. Jakes instantaneously to others next door or in a faraway continent. Allowing wisdom to become relative is opening doors for imposters to barge in. Only with God’s wisdom can believers forge ahead to make the world a safer, stronger, and more beau- tiful place. How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver (Proverbs 16:16 NKJV). God’s wisdom, shared through His committed and dedi- cated servants, has carried people through ages past full of dan- ger, through current economic and worldwide unrest, and will continue to protect and defend His children throughout eter- nity. Only wisdom from Heaven provides peace that passes all human understanding. Wisdom From T.D. Jakes is a compilation of bits of wis- dom received from the Lord over many years of serving Him. Shared with you are 40 wise and personal insights to refresh and empower you to tackle life’s challenges, rejoice in God’s promises fulfilled, and shout victory over the enemy. This interactive devotional journal immerses you into a world where God’s powerful wisdom infuses you as never before. You will gain the strength to solve problems, turn situa- tions around, and learn how to make wise decisions. “I believe there are times when we grow weary of human answers. The crucial times that arise in our lives require more than good advice. We need a word from God.” –T.D. Jakes Within each chapter are wise reflections from best-selling books along with provocative “Points to Ponder” that help you delve into the depths of yourself to search out things, issues, 8 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 8 11/8/10 3:50 PM Introduction people, situations, and just plain stuff that you need to deal with to be able to move forward toward your God-given destiny. “Words of Wisdom” from other well-known believers will make you laugh, cry, and become a more thinking Christian as you consider other points of view about important topics. A place for your own special thoughts is provided to record your heart’s desires, feelings, ideas, wonderings, and inner yearnings. This treasured keepsake launches you onto a road filled with wisdom and paved with God’s glory. 9 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 9 11/8/10 3:50 PM 1 Wisdom and Peace We are enveloped in peace when we know that nothing the enemy does can abort the plan of God for our lives. Greater still is the peace that comes from knowing we cannot rush God’s timing. When the Lord speaks a word into our lives, it is like a seed. It takes time for a seed to sprout. God knows when we have reached the time of germination. Our confidence is in God’s seed. (Excerpts from Can You Stand to be Blessed?) 11 Wisdom-TDJakes.indd 11 11/8/10 3:50 PM