If you are unfamiliar with the term gidddddy up, then you are probably not a fan of the character Cosmo Kramer on the Seinfield show. It was one of his signature sayings. After it’s final episode six years later, it is the most watched syndicated television show in history. Kramer desired fame and fortune. All of his schemes involved gaining either fame or fortune. Kramer is really a under achieving dufus who seems to get all the breaks and somehow hangs out with famous people.

Kramer is a character played by actor Michael Richards, who does a great job of making Kramer one of the funniest characters ever on television. Kramer’s blend of other world wisdom and stupidity makes for a great laugh. Some of his words of wisdom include, "Oh you may stray, but you’ll always return to your dark master, the coco bean" or "A vote for me is a vote for Kramer!"

Kramer’s wisdom, while quirky did have some profound meaning at times. Wisdom is not just for those that the world deems wise or intellectual. Wisdom is in the grasp of every follower of Jesus Christ. The kind of wisdom that King Solomon had can be ours as well.  The Bible tells us that is there for the taking, but we have to do one very important task to receive it. Ask! The half brother of Jesus writes, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NIV)

Solomon states very plainly in the first chapter of Proverbs, that the entire book of Proverbs was written so that the reader may obtain wisdom. I challenge you to read one chapter of Proverbs a day for a month and explore the wisdom of Solomon. When we read God’s word and apply it to our lives we will be wise. It doesn’t take a B.S., M.B.A., or PhD degree to be wise, it requires being obedient to the instructions of the book of wisdom, the Bible.

The Bible will change your heart.  Here’s the test: if you don’t like who you are or your character isn’t anything like the heart of God, you need God’s wisdom in your life.  Some of you say, “You mean that God’s word will strengthen my faith, it’ll guide my decisions, it’ll enhance my life and change my heart?  That’s incredible!” 

But why doesn’t it?  Why for so many of us do we live kind of empty and fruitless lives?  As I really began to think about what keeps God’s word from infusing and changing our lives I listed three words – difficulty, familiarity, priority.  Maybe you can identify which one fits you. 

Difficulty.  I’ll be honest.  As a pastor there are some parts of the Bible that are difficult, tough to understand.  There’s parts that still confuse me that I don’t get.  It is difficult.  For the normal person, they go, There’s so many Bibles to choose from. 

One of the stoppers for many of us is familiarity.  We’ve become familiar with the Bible.  For some of you you’ll say, “I’ve heard the verse a thousand times.”  You could finish the story before it’s ever told.  You’ve heard the phrase “familiarity breeds contempt.”  I would say in the Christian life familiarity breeds contentment.  We tend to be lazier, we lack interest.  The thrill of your first Bible wears off.  It’s like getting a new car.  You’re very excited about your new car but as soon as the new car smell is gone your new car looks like your old car. 

Or the other one is Priority.  You really don’t see the value of God’s word and therefore it has no priority.  Some people will say, “I value God’s word.”  But why are you not in it?  Because where you spend your time points to what you really value in life.  You give time to what you prioritize.