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Cultivating being approachable and submissive

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 29, 2025 Respond

Application of Heavenly Wisdom

As Cody used purity of motives (seeking to avoid conflict, helping all to win), was peace loving, and sweetly reasonable in his interactions with Dodge the cattleman, he helped Dodge be approachable and submissive to a new idea.
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The next morning Cody met with Dodge, and started by saying, “I did some figuring last night. If you are correct about having a range fifty by fifty miles, that’s two thousand five hundred square miles. In acres that’s one million six hundred thousand acres! That’s a huge spread.

“If you could legally claim one third of that, you would have five hundred thousand acres and a dozen watering places. That is far more than enough for 6,000 cattle. You could expand beyond what you are doing now, and your men would have more time to care for the cattle since they wouldn’t have to cover such a large area.”

“I just don’t want to give any of it up!” declared Dodge.

‘That’s natural,” replied the Cody, “but it is not possible. If you don’t move to legally claim a portion of your land, you will eventually lose all of it. And we don’t want to see that.”

“You don’t? I find that hard to believe!” Dodge spat out.

“We want to see you prosper, Mr. Dodge,” said Cody, “but you must move with the times and thereby protect yourself legally, not with guns to kill others and end up getting hung.”

Dodge lowered his head, then said, “Alright, alright, how do I go about doing this land claiming business?”

Cody explained how he would have to go to the fort and work with the land office there. Cody went on,”Think carefully, set your boundaries, and act soon. Give yourself a good buffer around your ranch buildings, and make sure John’s three hundred acres are outside of what you will claim.”

Dodge nodded; they could see his mind at work checking the possibilities, and coming to a point of agreement.
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Now, if Cody had not used Heavenly Wisdom, a lot of people would have died, Dodge would have lost everything, as well as being hung and his family would have been left destitute. The Heavenly Wisdom of James 3:17 can resolve many potential conflicts if we apply it well.

Picture: Dodge thinking about what part of his land to claim.

May be an image of 1 person and horse

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Using Peace Loving Word

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 29, 2025 Respond

An example of using “being peace loving” as part of Heavenly Wisdom

In the story of the cowboy with Heavenly Wisdom, Cody used the quality of being peace loving as he went to talk with the cattle man Dodge to try and avoid a violent confrontation between him and the farmer, John.

“Nice place you have here. How many head of cattle do you have?” Cody asked
“About six thousand,”
“And how big a range do you have?”
“It runs about fifty miles long and wide.”
“That is big–twenty-five hundred square miles! That’s over a million acres! How much land do you need to graze six thousand beef?”
“What do you mean? All of it, of course.”
“I’ve seen much of this land. Mr. Dodge told me yoouself you have over a dozen watering places. With the grassland I’ve seen, I’d say that about a third of what you’ve got would be more than sufficient for six thousand head.”
Dodge started up, “Just a minute now, who are you to tell me my business!!!”
“Really I’m nobody,” replied Cody gently, “But I have been around cattle since I was able to walk. I’ve had lots of experience working on ranches and driving large herds to market. What I’ve said is from that experience.”
Dodge sat back down, a scowl on his face, but he knew he couldn’t argue with Cody”s experience.
After a moment of silence, the Cody leaned forward again. “Mr. Dodge, our goal in this conversation is for you to win and for John to win, too, and we think that is possible.”
Dodge snorted.
The Cody continued, “You know, the sod busters are coming. You may be able to run off a few of them, but others will come, stake their claims and have a right to that land.
“I’d like to suggest that you stake claim legally to the best third of the land you’ve been running. Put it legally in your name and then no one could take it from you. There would then also be land enough for new comers.
“I don’t like it!” Dodge said. “It’s always been this way since the day I came here twenty years ago. You got no right now to upset the cart and neither do they.”
“No matter what you’d like, Mr. Dodge, you cannot stop progress. People are coming by the thousands. Times are changing. We are now a state with a governor and legislature. Laws are being passed and we must obey them. The army, are here to enforce them.”
Dodge glowered more.
“In this new situation, you can still run your cattle if you take precautions and are willing to pare down to what you need. Select your most important watering holes and the best land around them. Then you can basically continue your way of life and give others a chance at theirs.
“I don’t like it,” he grunted again. He looked out at his yard, “But give me some time to think on it.”
“You do that Mr. Dodge. Take time until tomorrow morning.”
Cody’s gentle, peaceful way of talking disarmed Mr. Dodge and made him at least willing to think about the proposal.

Tomorrow an example of being approachable and submissive. in their conversation.

picture: Cody and Dodge

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Application of Heavenly Wisdom

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 25, 2025 Respond

Heavenly Wisdom illustration of the importance of having pure motives.

Cody, a believing cowboy, was talking  with John, a farmer, about his conflict with the local cattle men.

“This conflict,” Cody observed, “can’t be avoided as it is two ways of life clashing,  but it can be done well or badly.”

“That’s a new perspective,” said John thoughtfully.

“Now,” Cody went on, “Doing it well has to do with starting with good motives. What good motive could you have to oppose the cattle man Dodge and his threats?”

“Hmmm,” replied John, obviously at a loss to answer at being challenged this way.

“I don’t have a right to tell you what to do, but I can, out of good will, help you to think things through and find a way out of this dangerous situation.”

“Alright, I don’t have much choice. As it is, there’s no way I can fight off Dodge and all his men by  myself.”

“So,” Cody said, “let’s get back to your motives, John. What good motives can you have for taking a stand?”

John thought for a while, setting the butt of his rifle on the ground. “Well, how about establishing a home for my family?”

“Yes, that’s a good one. Do you have a wife, John?”

“Yes. She’s in the house making lunch.”

“What motive of yours would concern her?”

“To protect her,” John replied immediately.

“Good, now you have two positive motives. How about a wider one, encompassing more than your own spread here?”

“What do you mean?” John asked.

“Think about the future of this country, about the other people that will come.”

“Ok, how about this, make it possible for other settlers to come and raise their families?”

“Good, very good! What about Dodge? What motive could you have for him?”

“I’d like to push him off his ranch and out of the area!” John said vehemently.

“Really? Is that a positive motive?”

“Well, I guess not,” replied John. He was quiet for a moment, looking off across the prairie at the mountains in the distance. “I want to have peace with him, allow him his way of life while he lets me have mine.”

“Now, that’s a really fine motive; it could bring about a very different solution than shooting down those who oppose you,” Cody said.

And the story goes on to tell how Cody applies this and other elements of Heavely Wisdom to avoid a range war. Check it out here on Amazon.:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=s.+m.+wibberley+a+cowboy+with+heavenly+wisdom&crid=WMYKIMDJU4SM&sprefix=s.+m.+wibberley+a+cowboy+with+heavenly+wisdom%2Caps%2C87&ref=nb_sb_noss

picture: Cowboy with Heavenly Wisdom

May be an image of 1 person and horse

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Heavenly Wisdom 4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 24, 2025 Respond
Heavenly Wisdom Part 4
After being pure, peace loving and sweetly reasonable, Heavenly Wisdom is “approachable and submissive.” The King James translates it as “easy to be intreated” and the NIV as “submissive.”
 
Humanly speaking, this sounds like a description of weakness, but actually is a quality of strength. To be a good leader one has to be humble, admitting that you don’t know everything. 
 
The greatest dangers for a leader, especially a spiritual leader, is the natural desire for power and position. And these are maintained by keeping control over as much as possible. 
 
A good godly, leader is the opposite: instead of controlling the people around him, he seeks  to empower them. So he is open to suggestions from his followers; if they have a better idea, he will be glad to implement 
 
it, and gives them credit for it! This really builds body life
If a leader is approachable, he will hear a lot of good ideas, but if he is defensive, standoffish, unwelcoming, his followers will keep their ideas to themselves, and probably eventually leave.
 
Heavenly wisdom recognizes body life, that each as different gifting and utilizes them. To be approachable and willing to opt for a better idea makes it better for everyone. As it says in Ephesians 4:18, “From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

This is really the goal of Heavenly Wisdom, edifying the body, glorifying God.

Picture: prescription for failure as a leader
May be a doodle
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Heavenly Wisdom 3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 23, 2025 Respond

The third quality of Heavenly Wisdom is being gentle.

This word can also be translated as “being sweetly reasonable.” I like that, it’s much more defining than being gentle. To be sweetly reasonable is to lay aside selfishness, the desire for control, trying to be in charge. The Holy Spirit has often asked me, “Are you being sweetly reasonable here?” And usually I must admit, “No, I’m not.
I think of all the times I said, “No!” to someone’s request for some selfish reason: it was inconvenient to say “yes,” or it made me feel powerful to say, “No” or I didn’t want to be bothered. Often people in authority will say, “No” because they fear possible negative consequences, for themselves or their organization.
Of course, if the request is outrageous, like when you 14 year old asks to take your car for a spin, then a “No” is appropriate. Other times a risk taking request needs to be evaluated. I praise God for our doctor who was willing to take a risk and give my wife a somewhat unconventional treatment for chronic lymes disease—and it worked! And I praise God for some leaders I had who were willing to let me implement risky ministry moves—and these “gambles” turned out to be very profitable,
One definition of being sweetly reasonable is to say “Yes” as much as possible, to build others up rather than protecting yourself. And also to say “No” when it is appropriate. May God give you wisdom to implement Heavenly Wisdom in your everyday life.
If you’d like to read a novel illustrating how to  apply each part of Heavenly Wisdom,  here it is:
No photo description available.
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Heavenly Wisdom 2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 22, 2025 Respond
Heavenly Wisdom examination number 2
James 3:17 gives us the definition of Heavenly Wisdom, which is basically the opposite of earthly wisdom. James 3:14-16 defines earthly  wisdom  thusly: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic….there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
 
Yesterday we looked at the first quality of Heavenly Wisdom, “purity,” which starts in our motives. Good actions from bad motives will end up bad, kind of like making chocolate cookies with mud!
 
The second quality is “peace loving.” It is so easy to say things that disturb peace, like, “When will you ever learn….?” “Can’t you get anything right?” “Well nice you a couple of A’s on your report card, but what about the rest….?” Or one I want  to use a lot, “You promised you would do  this for me…7 times actually and it’s still not done!!!”
 
These are not words that promote peace. After learning about Heavenly Wisdom, I am now aware of how every day, several times a day I want to say things that destroy peace, that damage relationships. Simple as, “Come on, get with it!” or as complex as, “What were you thinking when you said that???” These statements are unnecessary; they make me the judge, the one who is right so I can put others down.
 
But if I  bit my tongue and cut off those peace-killing thoughts, I am set free and others are shielded from unnecessary hurt. So instead of, “Boy are you so clumsy!” I can say, “Here, let me clean that up. I’ve done things like this myself!” This promotes peace, builds others up and gives us joy. 
 
Watch your thoughts, filter your words, be a peace lover, a people saver and experience joy and freedom.
 
picture: be one who releases doves of peace to those around you rather than crows of contention.
May be a doodle of 1 person and bird
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Heavenly Wisdom

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 21, 2025 Respond

Life is full of opportunities to either push on or hold off. Do I push to get my building permit, or trust God and wait? Do I put pressure on the guy who owes me rent, or back off and pray about it? Do I confront or let go and move on?

There are very few clear cut answers.  But God is always ready to help us. As it says in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Then in James 3:17 there is a description of this heavenly wisdom. And it is given in a certain order:

  1. pure
  2. peace loving
  3. sweetly reasonable,
  4. approachable and submissive,
  5. full of mercy
  6. and good fruit,
  7. impartial,
  8. and sincere.

First is purity, and when it comes to  making decisions, this has to start in our motives. For instance, I have a renter who has not paid his rent this month. He promised to pay on the 11th, then on the 19th, but still hasn’t paid. With these failures to follow through what should my motive be in talking with him? Vent my anger? Set him straight? Beg him? Threaten him? None of these are pure motives.

So, after praying about it, I have settled on the motive of helping him be honest, doing what he promised to do. This is a positive  motive, one that will benefit him and may solve the problem, and is in line with what God wants us to do: edify others. And I will begin acting on this  motive by praying for him, asking God to move him, to prepare him for the coming conversation.

So, if you want to be wise, first check your motives, reject the negative motives, act out of positive, God pleasing motives.

More on heavenly wisdom over the next few days.

Picture: praying for heavenly wisdom.

May be an image of 1 person, horizon and mountain

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What’s Next?

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 20, 2025 Respond

Easter is the greatest event in the history of the universe. It is also a reason for many to go to church at least once a year.

Our church was nearly  completely full, and the parking lot certainly was, with only two empty spots! It is good that all those guests came, for it is an opportunity for them to hear the gospel. Hopefully that was true in your church, too.
Now as a follow up, let’s pray for these infrequent attenders that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of their hearts, giving them spiritual understanding. And that He will convict them of their sin, of God’s righteousness, of the judgment they are under.
And then that Jesus will reveal Himself to them in way that reaches their hearts, whether it be a question, a  doubt, a dream, a vision or a Bible study, or……
May He then give them enough light to follow, and shine the full light of the gospel into their hearts.
And then may He pin them  down to face the spiritual issues before them and grant them faith and repentance to truly believe.
This is the pattern God gives us in His Word,  and you probably recognize it in your own life. So let’s join Him in His great work to sweep many more into His Kingdom!
May be an image of 1 person
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(Untitled)

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 18, 2025 Respond
Painful Friday
We’ve looked at the multiple difficulties and pains that Jesus endured in his time on the earth.

Now we come to the last and most painful of these, four horrific events in His process of securing eternal salvation for all who believe.
First is the obvious and excreting pain of the crucifixion, following the earlier physical suffering of being beaten, whipped and forced to walk to His execution.
This unimaginably painful execution, was long and totally unjust, but was from God’s point of view, such an important a part of our redemption.
Second is the horrible reality of Jesus actually becoming sin for us, becoming all the ugliness of all the transgressions of all the people from Adam to the last one. An infinite and repulsive reality.
Third is the most painful aspect: the breaking, the ripping of the relationships of the Trinity, destroying the perfect peace, grace, love and intimacy of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This was painful not only for Jesus, but for the Father and Holy Spirit also. As the curtain before the Holy place in the temple was ripped, so was the unity, the oneness, the closeness and perfect balance of the three, bringing deep, searing pain to each of the Trinity.
And fourth, as Jesus was left alone, cut off from the others, the Father poured out all of His infinite wrath against all the sin ever committed by every person onto Jesus, crushing Him beneath the weight of an infinite punishment. That certainly hurt the heart of the Father as well as devastating Jesus. But both endured because they desired the salvation of all their enemies.

May be an image of 1 person

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The approaching darkness

Published by S.M. Wibberley on April 17, 2025 Respond
As time approached for his death, Jesus had other pressures come on Him.
He had to interact with the one who would betray him, a sad, awkward situation, knowing thatin betraying Him  Judas was choosing Hell.
In the last supper, His disciples still didn’t get the things He was teaching them.
And then there was the great battle in the Garden where He was utterly distressed as a human being, facing the horrors before Him.
This was followed by the betraying kiss, the arrest, the degrading trip to the High Priest.
There he suffered the mocking and beating from the soldiers.
This was followed by the unbelief and attacks of the Jewish leaders, those who failed to recognize His majesty
Then the trip to Pilate, and to King Herod, being mocked all through it.
And finally the flogging. This is far worse than we can imagine:
The whip  of leather straps with bone fragments tied to their ends, ripping away the skin and flesh, exposing the bones.
And last was the crown of thorns, pushed down on His head, causing the blood to flow down his face.
In accepting that crown, Jesus took on Himself the heavy, ugly curse Adam brought on all of us, causing  the land to produce thorns.
And these events opened the way for the far worse suffering that was to come, which we will contemplate tomorrow.
Picture: Jesus facing His sacrifice for the world
May be an image of 1 person
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