Wisdom

“Don’t copy the behavior or values of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” Romans 12:2 NLT

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm"  Proverbs 13:20

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart”  Psalm 40:8 NIV

"He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” Psalm 23:3 NIV




         Do you consider yourself wise?  I don't consider myself 'wise', but I'm definitely wiser now than in my youth.  Hopefully, I am gaining wisdom daily through bible studies, experiences, listening to God in prayer, and from others in my close circle.

         Would you be wise enough today to ask for wisdom from God, like Solomon did?  1 Kings 3:5  "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”  Solomon first recognized and acknowledged God's faithfulness in the past and present circumstances.  1 Kings 3:6  "Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day."  Solomon then humbled himself and recognized his need for help, guidance, and direction in the great task set for him.  1 Kings 3:7-9  “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  When we seek God for help in all things and think of others before ourselves, it pleases Him.  1 Kings 3:10-14 "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.  So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

        In Proverbs 1:7, we learn from Solomon "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Knowledge or wisdom is living out what we know.  We do not always do what we know to be best or right, but we are wise when we do.  Wisdom is the 'fear' of the lord..not reverence or respect, but terror, dread, afraid of.  Most people don't recognize how powerful and mighty God is. "God is the only rock on which we may rest safe in times of danger. Trusting in him brings peace in every circumstance." [Richard Sibbes]  

         Wisdom begins w/fear, but thankfully does not end there.  Jesus came to end the fear by cleansing believers of their sin debt.  1 John 4:9-10  "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."  1 John 4:16-18  "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidenceon the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

         "Jesus drove out the fear---a loving god pursuing an unfaithful people, loving them despite their sin, loving them to the point of death on a cross."

          How can we put our trust in God, if we do not know who He is?  Just like an adopted child doesn't know who the new parent is, what they have in store for them, how they will feed and care for them... the same is true for putting our trust in God.  The more we know of and see His faithfulness to us, the more we can learn to rely on Him and not ourselves.

         Doubt in God comes from the enemy, Satan.   What we wonder about Jesus _____? Does God love me?  Does God want this for me?  What purpose does God have for me?  etc. 

         "God has given us a roadmap: the Bible. God has given us a compass: our conscience. God has also given us a personal guidance counselor: the Holy Spirit. Clearly, God wants to lead us in the paths of righteousness. This is important to understand, because God never intended for you to figure out the steps of your journey without him."  " The Good Shepherd doesn’t just feed us. He leads us. He doesn’t just correct us. He directs us."

  
We are wise, when we seek and follow God's voice in scripture.
We are wise, when we know God better each day.
We are wise, when we humble ourselves to His mighty and powerful name and ways.

Wait on the Lord

Psalm 62:5--"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."

           Today's blog is about waiting on God for all things and in His perfect timing.  First, we must seek God, in our questions and decision making in our lives.  God wants to give us direction in our journey of life through Scripture and prayer.  As we wait on Him, there are a few requirements to be met in the process.  God is not a genie or a bellhop waiting for a question, but He does tell us to ask, knock, and seek Him for all things.  We will receive according to His will and in His timing.  Our biggest faults are a lack of persistence in our prayerful asking and a lack of trust in His timing.  We give up too soon and think God failed to answer our prayers.  God may be saying yes, but not now.  God may be saying no, I have greater things in mind.  Let's discuss what we need to have in our 'question and waiting on an answer' process....

Requirements for waiting on the Lord 

1. Faith--Faith is knowing who God is and fulfilling His purposes through you. "No man knows his purpose until he knows the One who created him." [Paul Ojeda]  We must believe that walking in the will of God is the right path for our life's journey.  We must choose to listen and follow Him alone, not what the world says is right--at the time.   "Faith can do much for you. It is not enough to be healed of your disease, unless you take up your bed and walk. O the life of grace which I have seen in some! Their meat and drink is to do the will of God."  [Samuel Ward]  


2. Trust in God--We must believe His timing is perfect and always right. Trust in His timing before making a decision.  "God is the only rock on which we may rest safe in times of danger. Trusting in Him brings peace in every circumstance." -- Richard Sibbes


3. Patience--God’s timing is rarely our own, but it is always worth waiting for. You never waste time waiting on God.  Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."


4. Determination--We must be willing to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit, even the whispers.  "To constantly fight against sin is a big part of mortification. We need to recognize the enemy we are dealing with and that he is to be destroyed by all possible means. The battle is a hazardous one that deals with issues of eternity. When a man sees his lust as a trivial thing, it is an indication that he is not mortified. We cannot go forward unless we recognize the danger of our own hearts." [John Owen]

5. Strength-- We must rely on the strength from God to say "no" to things that He does not want for us or in our lives, because our flesh is weak.  "The soul is cast down when our sorrow does not bring us to God, but away from God. There is no discouragement in any affliction or trouble whatsoever, but it is a lack of trusting in God. We may not know the reason God has allowed it, and this requires our trust. When we do not trust in God, we are trusting in ourselves, and we cannot experience victory in our own strength."  [Richard Sibbes]


6. Endurance--"You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again." Psalms 71;20  "How long, Lord, must I call for help?" Habakkuk 1:2 "As with Habakkuk, God hears our burdens. We must continue to cast them on the Lord because He cares for us. God hears us and, in His time, will give an answer." odb.org


        Many of us pray for our loved ones, but we may never see the results in our lifetime.  We must still persist until we do see the prayer answered or until we draw our final breath.  "God’s memory is perfect. He is able to remember our prayers not only for years but also for generations beyond our lifetime. He never forgets them and may move in response long after we first brought our requests to Him. Sometimes His answer is “no,” other times it is “wait”—but His response is always measured with love. God’s ways are beyond us, but we can trust that they are good."
        As for our family, we pray for a cure for our neuromuscular disease, CMT, but it's a prayer not just for us and those currently afflicted but for the generations ahead with it.  Unanswered prayers don't go in God's deleted file but maybe just in a future file to be dealt with later.

Lord, we need you in all things...in our darkest days, You are only hope.  Be the lamp unto our feet and light the way before us.  We need You!  Pull us closer and bring us to life.

Proverbs and Pride

           Today's blog is about the sin we all deal with, Pride.  So go put on some shoes to protect your toes.  I've got on boots myself.  "Pride will kill you. Forever. Pride is the sin most likely to keep you from crying out for a Savior. Those who think they are well will not look for a doctor.   I need to reach for the glasses of Christ-like humility, remembering that nothing good dwells in my flesh, and search my heart for secret pride and its symptoms." [desiringGod.com]  "Pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Admitting sin and acknowledging that in our own strength we can do nothing to inherit eternal life is a constant stumbling block for prideful people."[gotquestions.org]
          Let's begin with describing and defining what Pride is, so we can better identify it within us.  Pride is an attitude of self exaltation and superiority.  It is looking down on others.  It involves arrogance, self-sufficiency, and a refusal to submit to the authority of Jesus Christ.  Pride is essentially self-worship.  There are two types of pride...inward pride and outward pride.  Outward pride is a numbness to the desires of God and others, because there is a focus on self.  Inward pride is an obsession with how others feel about us. None of us are exempt from pride, but before we think too highly of ourselves, we must remember we are all image bearers of God.

        Proverbs 21:2-4  "A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.  To do what is right and just  is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.  Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin."

      Why is it so important to address the Pride within our hearts and minds? Pride is sin and sin separates us from God and blocks off the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

       Proverbs 11:2  "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

       Humility is about being planted in reality.  Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but of thinking of ourselves less.  Life is not all about us and our desires, but of fulfilling God's desires and purposes through us.  Humility is having an accurate and humble view of ourselves, not too highly or too lowly.  Humility is not having a need to be more than who you are.  Humility gives us the freedom to be generous, to give away our power, to give away privilege, to give away opportunities, to give up the need to be right, to have the last word, to give up defensiveness, to be generous without expecting anything in return, to give up feelings of entitlement.

     Matthew 11:28-  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

       When you feel convicted about the sin of pride, use that opportunity to pray and yoke up with Jesus and give that burden to Him.  "Reach for the glasses of Christ-like humility, remembering that nothing good dwells in the flesh, and search your heart for secret pride and its symptoms."

Seven sneaky symptoms of the infection of pride. [J. Edwards/Desiring God]

1. Fault-Finding--Instead of seeing our own heart needs of improvement, we dissect others

2. A Harsh Spirit--speak of others’ sins with contempt, irritation, frustration, or judgment.

3. Superficiality--Having peace with viewable sins, but little concern about hidden sin

4. Defensiveness--"True humility is not knocked off balance and thrown into a defensive posture by challenge or rebuke, but instead continues in doing good, entrusting the soul to our faithful Creator."

5. Presumption Before God--No regard to '‘Worship the Lord with reverence, and rejoice with trembling.’ or thinking God's grace isn't sufficient.

6.  Desperation for Attention-- seeking the glory that comes from men, not God.

7. Neglecting Others--Pride prefers some people over others

        I hope this blog has helped you with your own area of pride.  A lot of my blog comments came from the women's biblical leadership conference called IF:Lead 2018.  I love how we can all encourage each other in this journey of life, including our sinful ways.

A Look Ahead

You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again. Psalms 71:20

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things.  Who is like you, God?  Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,  you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.  Psalm 71:19-21 NIV


       I feel like the verses above are my life story right now in action.  I am so excited and thankful to be in the 'revive me again' phase.  I am seeing and living in God's restoration of me in His timing.  He is definitely 'comforting me once more.'  In this process, I want it to be clearly known that Christ is doing all these good things in me, and it's not by my strength at all.
      Don't you think life is so much easier when your will and God's will are in alignment?  Oh, I definitely do!  When our thoughts and actions are only about self and not about 'love one another', then we build fences and don't grow as God intends.  May we always pray for God to lead us and show us His way for our lives.  "Show me your ways, that I may walk with you, show me your ways, I put my hope in you,  the cry of my heart is to love you more, to live with the touch of Your hand, stronger each day, show me your ways."   
     Sometimes when we have been under a cloud of trials, the sun shining in restoration seems all the brighter.  I have felt the small things in life be huge frustrations, but with God's restoration of strength become miraculous milestones.  For examples, being able to drink through a straw again, sit on the side of the bed without being held, going longer without my mask to talk and eat, being able to swallow again my favorite foods, and more.
      My will during my darkest of days was to finish my race of life, but it wasn't God's will.  When I realized God's will was actually my will too, it made my life easier to deal with as I improved.  I had prayed, Lord, if it's your will, let me be active again in this world and let Your light and power shine brightly through me.  This was the will of us both and I am forever grateful.
     "We’re often looking for God’s will—especially when we’re in a difficult situation. We wonder, What will happen to me here? Should I stay or does God want me somewhere else? The only way to know for sure is to do what He asks you to do right now—the duty of the present moment—and wait for God to reveal the next step." [odb.org]

    "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."  Psalm 37:23

Where Do You Look?

       It is our natural tendency to look for answers to our questions, but where do we look?   "Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, but Faith looks up." by Ralph Waldo Emerson  It's sad but often true, that God is our last place to look to.  We find it easier to search in what we can see, than to trust in what we can't see yet.  God is always with us and waiting for us to seek Him in all things, circumstances, and in the questions of life.

       I found the quote above by accident, coincidence, or by God's leading.  However I found it, the quote describes my feelings as of late and put it into words for me.  As I have progressed over the past 3.5 months, I have realized there is a new me.  The new me struggles to get back physically, as much as possible, but I am forever changed in many other ways.  I have more empathy with those in chronic pain.  I have gained wisdom on the importance of knowing what you want or don't want on your last days.  I have gained strength in my faith, trust, and convictions with respect towards God and His sacrifice for me and the world.  I have increased my level of courage in what I am able to endure with God carrying me through various unwanted trials. 
       I have also lost some things along this trial too.  I have lost patience with negativity in my life, through words and actions of others.  This is highlighted by one of my doctor's perspective on me and his words of little hope for my wellness.  I have lost strength in my abilities and the little independence I had in a few matters.  I have lost a love for some worldly things and traded that in for a desperate longing for the Heaven that awaits me.  I have lost interest in politics and worldly matters, but I remain invested in my participation at the level I can be involved in.  I've read the end of the Bible and know that hard times are part of the end times, but God is sovereign and wins victoriously in the end.
      "Our world offers a multitude of ways to compromise on what we know is right, but if we’ll make up our minds ahead of time, we’ll be able to stand firm in our obedience to God. Although a world that does not believe may mock our values and lifestyle, their respect for us actually lessens when we waffle and give in to temptations. What’s worse, our witness for Christ is damaged.Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor. When the winds of opinion blow and the waves of temptation pound us, we can know with certainty the right way to respond. Don’t vacillate in your obedience to the Lord. Your unwavering stand for what’s right can powerfully influence others." [intouch.org]
       I have gained and lost all of these things, only by looking upward to God.  God gives and takes away, blessed be His name forever and ever.

      What a great quote on the valleys of life.  There would be no hilltops without the valleys and the view from the hilltops wouldn't be so magnificent without the valleys either.  The valley you are in may seem like the lowest point in your life but if you look up to God and ask Him to help you find His purpose in this trial then He will answer you according to His will.  Don't dwell in the valley, but climb out with purpose and as a better you.  Grow, mature and multiply the blessings you've gained and learned during this time God has been at work in you.
      "In retrospect, I can see that “wait” is the most precious answer God can give us. It makes us cling to him rather than cling to an outcome. God knows what I need. I do not. He sees the future. I cannot. His perspective is eternal. Mine is not. He will give me what is best for me. When it is best for me. As Paul Tripp says, “Waiting is not just about what I get at the end of the wait, but about who I become as I wait.” [DesiringGod]


When we know what God wants us to do,
But then we refuse to obey,
We’re ignoring the voice of the Lord,
And sinfully choosing our way. —Sper

Where Do You Live and Love?

"The humble soul endeavors more how to glorify God in afflictions than how to get out of them." -- Thomas Brooks

         It is said that the three basic needs of life are food, clothing and shelter.  Your shelter may be a room, an apartment, or a house.  How would you define your residence, a house or a home?  There is a difference.  Anyone can build a house but it takes more than physical strength to make a house into a home.  'Home' includes peace, love, security, emotional warmth, things you love, respect of others, and hospitality.  Unfortunately many families live in houses, not homes.  "“home” is a place we seek out, long to return to when away, and fiercely defend, whether against invaders or from the outsider who tells us that any place is better than the one in which we live." So what is missing?  God and his command to "love one another."
        "The Blessed will say 'We have never lived anywhere except Heaven.'  The Lost will say, 'We were always in Hell.'  And both will speak truly."  by C.S. Lewis
        One of the hardest places to live out the Gospel and be a true reflection of Christ is in the home.  We schedule our times with others and make sure it is a good day with a good attitude and are feeling our best.  In our homes, we see it all... the faults, the tempers, the need for personal space and just everyday reactions to life's unfairness.
        Proverbs 24:3-4  "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
        Proverbs 24:27  "[Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home."
        Proverbs 11:29  "Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise."

        The next two quotes are from Our Daily Bread...... "C. S. Lewis wrote, “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” We can thank God for the “pleasant inns” in life, but let’s remember that our real home is in heaven where we “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)."

        "A loving, spiritual atmosphere is the feature most desired in a home, and that can be found in a simple one-room house or in a spacious mansion.  Yes, I think we would all agree that love for our family and the fear of the Lord can turn any house into a dream home."         As Valentines Day approaches tomorrow, lets consider how much we show Christ's love to each other both inside and outside our homes.



Give me a house to call my own,
Family and friends to make it a home,
Love and kindness that never depart,
Enough to fill a thankful heart.

Thoughts and Mercy

        As a blog writer, I often try to make my blogs somewhat personal.  Today's blog is about our thoughts and you can't get much more personal than that.  Our actions are often seen and speak loudly, good or bad, but our thoughts can be hidden and yet find a way out too.  The Bible warns us in Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard our hearts, for everything you do flows from it" and that is so true with our thoughts.  Sin begins with a thought and progresses into active form when we justify our wrong thoughts as okay and acceptable.
       "The mind is the control tower of life. Your thoughts greatly influence not only your successes, failures, and choices but also your relationship with the Lord and others. Godliness comes from thinking the way God does.  Yet there are several problems that can negatively impact your thought life. One of the most persistent is the influence of your past. When you were saved, God gave you a new spirit and a new life. However, in letting you start over, He did not blot the past from your mind. The Father wants you to be able to draw from your good and bad experiences when ministering to others. He also wants you to appreciate His grace and knows it is important for you to remember what He rescued you from." [intouch.org]
        As for myself, the past few months after my fall, I have struggled with my thoughts.  I had so much time where I was alone and at rest with just my thoughts.  I was tempted by my medicine and circumstances into thoughts of anger, pity, depression, and anxiety.  That's when the rubber meets the road and my beliefs and convictions were tried and tested.  Philippians 4:7  "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Psalm 119:87  "They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts."  I don't know where the following quote is from, but it is so true.  "God is working even while you are waiting. Think of this time of waiting as a process that will eventually culminate in a victory. In the meantime, remain faithful and know that God is there with you, preparing you for the battles, goals and victories to come. "   My waiting has been full of impatience, struggles and fear but it has led to trust, milestones, and witnessing the power and love of God for me.
       I want to praise God not only for the grace He has shown me, but also to be a reflection of His mercy to others.  Mercy is not my strong suit or spiritual gift so I want to share a list of ways to be merciful from my devotional by Rick Warren.  I need this list reminder myself and this is my best place to archive it. 

So, how will you be merciful?  [Rick Warren...Living in the Goodness of God]

• Be patient with people’s quirks. What person in your life has irritating quirks? How can you practice patience with that person this week?
• Help anyone around you who is hurting. See who around you is obviously hurting—and then look for a way you can help this week. If you can’t find anybody, then you’re not paying attention. Look closer!

• Give people a second chance. Who in your life needs a second chance? How can you show that person mercy and compassion this week?

• Do good to those who hurt you. Maybe you’re suffering from an old wound that you have not been able to let go of. Choose to forgive and then turn it around for good. Who is that person in your life? Will you make a phone call or a visit this week?

• Be kind to those who offend you. Who offends you? Maybe it’s a politician or a comedian that you can pray for. Maybe it’s a Facebook friend who has different views and says some pretty offensive things. How can you be intentional about showing kindness to that person this week?
• Build bridges of love to the unpopular. What person first comes to mind when you think of an outcast? Who spends their lunch breaks eating alone or doesn’t seem to have any friends at soccer games? What specific thing will you do this week to bridge the gap between you and that person with love?

     *  Value relationships over rules. 

“God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7 NLT)

Call On God, He Is For You

2 Chronicles 7:14-15  "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. "




         People often refer to God as 'the big guy in the sky' or as some far off deity.   That irreverent label comes not only from a lack of knowledge, but also from a lack of a personal relationship with God.
         We often fail to recognize and acknowledge how involved God is in our lives.  I am doing a bible study on 'The Verbs of God" by Margaret Feinberg.  She points out the many active ways God is working in and through us for His will and glory.  "God answers, blesses, cares, cleanses, delivers, disciplines, encourages, forgives, guides, heals, hears, increases, listens, loves, opens, pours, protects, rejoices, remembers, rescues, restores, satisfies, saves, strengthens, teaches, upholds, watches, works" and more on our behalf.  When you read over these verbs, are you not reminded of His goodness and faithfulness in your own life?
         Sometimes we feel so alone, that we doubt that God even cares, but He does!  God became flesh through Jesus Christ and felt all the sufferings of this world, just as we do.  In our troubles, we often focus on the problem instead of looking to God first.  "Oh God I need you. Every hour I need you.  My one defense, my righteousness.  Oh God, how I need you."  We often pour our energy and thoughts into getting out of our circumstance, rather than through it with His help.
       Psalm 34:4-7   "I sought the Lord, and he answered me;  he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."
       God calls us to not only have a personal bond with Him, but also for us to be a reflection of Him to the world around us.  How can others want to know your God, if they don't see Him living in you?  "Jesus Master, I would be More and more made like to Thee."
      Psalm 40:17  " The Lord thinketh upon me. The Lord will take care of me."  Is that not enough for us in any trial we face?  Whenever we are hurt, anxious, fearful, or suffering...let this verse be your first thought.   Call on the name of Jesus.. what a beautiful, wonderful and powerful name it is!