Saturday, July 11, 2009

REFLECTIONS FROM THE PROVERBS: The Pleasant Way

The Pleasant Way

Proverbs Chapter Three:
Verse 17: Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.


Wisdom is remarkable. We know Christ to be this wisdom and He is remarkable. Jesus tells us "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He is the way. He is the path.

Psalms Chapter One: 1.Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2.But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3.He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4.Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6.For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
There are several contrasts given in this Psalm. A pleasant way, and a not so pleasant way. A way of the righteous which is compared to a tree planted by water, and a way of the wicked which is compared to chaff that is blown away. God is not talking about plants here he is talking about people.

There used to be a different way for people to come to God. It was a way of laws and priests and sacrifices and a place called the holy of holies. When Christ died on the cross, the curtain that blocked access to that most holy place where God met with man, was torn open inviting men to come commune with God. Jesus is the way.

The writer of Hebrews says in chapter 10 verse 19: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
Those who come to God by way of Christ are still like the picture in Psalms. Like trees planted by water, growing and prosperous. Those without Christ are like chaff blowing around in the wind. Relationship with God through Christ is pleasant above all thing.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Reflections From the Proverbs: A Pretty Good Offer

A pretty good offer

Proverbs Chapter Three:
16. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Speaking of wisdom, this verse says long life is in her right hand and riches and honor are in her left hand. Two very good reasons to find wisdom.
Eve went on a search for wisdom in Genesis 3:6 it says: When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. NIV

This wisdom she went after certainly didn’t bring long life. In fact it brought death. God did an interesting thing after Adam and Eve became diseased with sin. In verse 23 it tells us : So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
It would have been a disastrous thing to have bodies that would age and decay and become diseased and suffer and go on that way for all eternity. Something would have to happen before man could eat from the tree of life. The disease of sin would have to be cleansed away.

In the book of Revelation Chapter 22 verse 14 we find the words of Jesus: Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
It amazes me that something mentioned in the first words in Genesis are brought full circle in the last words in the book of Revelation.

Jesus Christ, the messiah, the redeemer, is the one who takes us from the deadness that our sin produces to the tree of life. We will be holy because all sin is gone. Eternal life will not be perpetual decay but perpetual worship.

The other promise given in our verse is that from the left hand of wisdom is riches and honor. Talk about riches and honor, it doesn’t get any better than this. Adoption by the King of kings. Even before Eve foolishly disobeyed , God had a plan to bring us back. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4 says: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. It was always meant to be our destiny to be children of God. We have a very wealthy Daddy.

Eve had a choice, we have a choice. We have a choice to accept the gift offered to us. Jesus is wisdom. Jesus the Messiah, the redeemer,paid for our redemption when he died on the cross. Will you be included? He says: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Jesus is the path to wisdom, the path to life, and the path to riches and honor.
Dear Father, I am amazed that your desire was so strong to make me your child, I recognize that it cost you a lot for my redemption. I am grateful that you have made this offer. I want to be your child.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Refections From The Proverbs: More Precious

More Precious


Proverbs chapter 3:
13. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
14. For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

There is a beautiful praise song written by Lynn DeShazo that undoubedly is taken from these verses. The song identifies Jesus Christ as the wisdom that is
more precious than silver, more costly than gold, and more beautiful than diamonds. It identifies Jesus Christ as being of such high value that nothing can compare.

It is evident that the author understands the truth that when someone finds Christ they find wisdom. When someone finds Christ, they find understanding. Lynn DeShazo understands clearly that the wisdom of the old Testament is the Christ of the New Testament.

Wisdom is given a mysterious personality in this book of scripture. It infers that if you find her you will find great treasure more valuable than gold, silver or rubies. Nothing can be compared to the value. It is a treasure hunt that God wants you to be successful at.

Nearly all the world has heard stories about the life of Jesus the Christ. Does that mean they have found wisdom? Does knowing about Jesus mean that you have found wisdom? No. This treasure hunt is not an intellectual search, it is a heart search. Deuteronomy 4:29 says: But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. NIV
One of my favorite passages says:" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13.NIV

This wisdom hunt isn’t about figuring something out. This is about loving the God who created you, and loving the Christ who redeemed you.

The God of the Old Testament is the same God today. He is still found by searching with your heart. When God sent his son, Jesus, he was sending hope and a future to mankind. Through Christ we can call upon the God of Heaven, we can pray, He will listen. This treasure hunt of the heart takes us to a cross, then to our knees, then to the very heart of God where we find a great treasure of wisdom and understanding.

Dear Lord, you are more precious than silver or gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds, pearls or rubies, and nothing I could ever desire compares with you. You are wisdom. You are the wisdom I want.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Refections From The Proverbs: Whatever It Takes

Whatever It Takes
Proverbs Chapter Three:
11. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
12. Because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.


God has a way of making things uncomfortable when we begin to go in a wrong direction. The farther we stray away from him, the more uncomfortable He will make things. God wants us to come toward him. He wants us to follow his guidelines because they are good for us.

Ezekiel chapter 5 tells of a time that God got so fed up with his "children" in Jerusalem going in the wrong direction that he told Ezekiel, Verse 8 "Tell them this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the sight of the nations. Because of all your detestable idols, I will do to you what I have never done before and will never do again." NIV

It makes God angry when men run to other sources instead of running to him. In this instance God’s discipline was severe. He told Jerusalem, "I myself will withdraw my favor; I will not look on you with pity or spare you. A third of your people will die of the plague or perish by famine inside you; a third will fall by the sword outside your walls; and a third I will scatter to the winds and pursue with drawn sword. Then my anger will cease and my wrath against them will subside and I will be avenged."

Why does it take hard circumstances to drive us to a loving God who wants to lead us to good places? It is no wonder that our straying makes God angry. The sources that we run to, the idols in our lives have no power. They are empty and worthless.

When God enacts discipline toward us it is a very real indication that he loves us very much. There is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will. There you will find the peace that passes understanding, you will find joy in the midst of pain and you will find a strength that nothing else can give.

When God looks at what he has to offer you and he sees you run away from it, it only makes sense that he will act to woo you back gently or forcefully, whatever it takes.

I think we have come to view God as something of a pushover who will understand and excuse our meanderings. But, do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life. Gal6:7-8

How important do you think eternal life is to God? Important enough that he would dole out some discipline to bring his children into the spiritual place they need to be.

It is later in the book of Ezekiel that we find these words: I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak......I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

In the midst of discipline he does not leave us hopeless. He beckons us to himself. In all things he is beckoning us to himself.

Father, help us to be children that require only gentle nudging to bring us back to your leading.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: The First, The Best

The First, The Best
Proverbs Chapter Three:
9. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops;
10. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

King Solomon is passing on a wise teaching that began way back when God spoke to Moses in the wilderness. God said "Tell the Israelites this:"—then he goes on to say many things about many topics. He covered everything from personal injury cases to holidays. Included in this message from God to the Israelites was this directive: "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. You must give me the firstborn of your sons. Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. This is found in Exodus 22:29. In Exodus 23:19 it says: Bring the best of the first-fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.

God gave us his best. His first and his best. He gave us his first born son, his only son. He wants us to give back our best. 1Corinthians 15:20 says: But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

When you plant a seed into the ground, it dies. Then by the miracle contained within it, resurrection happens and life bursts forth up out of the ground. Every crop that grows can be a picture of the resurrection. God made a big issue of the first-fruits. He even promised rewards for being mindful of his request to honor him with the first-fruits. God’s directives regarding first-fruits is a picture of what he planned to do by sending his son.

Life in the 21st century is vastly different from life in the days of Solomon or Moses. I don’t have any fields with crops growing, or vats of wine. I don’t have any cattle or sheep to give the firstborn from. Now that I have the full picture of what God has done for mankind in sending us His first-fruits, how do I give back what will honor Him?

In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–This is your spiritual act of worship. Rom.12:1 NIV

I can honor him by giving him me. I can honor him by giving him my time. Starting my day communing with him is giving him the first, the best part of my day. I can give a tithe back to Him from the increase of my labors. The words I write can honor him.

If God promises reward for honoring him with our first-fruits what do 21st century rewards look like?

Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. Luke 6:38
Give time, someone will find time for you. Give understanding, someone will have an understanding ear at your time of need. Give kindness, kindness will be shown to you. My barns will be filled with what I am willing to give.

Father God, help us to have generous hearts willing to give back to you the first-fruits of our lives. Help us to give to others with good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Spiritual Umbilical Cord

Spiritual umbilical cord

Proverbs Chapter Three:
7. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. NIV
These verses in the KJV read like this:7. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. KJV
The word translated "navel" in the KJV and "body" in the NIV is the word "shor" and means umbilical cord, and figuratively it means the center of strength. And the word "marrow" in the KJV and "nourishment" in the NIV is the word "shiqquwy" it means beverage; moisture or refreshment. At other places this word is interpreted drink.

Picture in your mind, an unborn baby with the umbilical cord transporting all the life giving nourishment that the baby needs to grow and survive. There is, however, something important to remember about that umbilical cord. It is not producing the nourishment it is only transporting it. At the end of the umbilical cord is a placenta that is attached to the mother. The life giving nourishment is coming from the mother.

"It" shall be health and nourishment, moisture, refreshment and drink coming through a spiritual umbilical cord. What is the "It" that this spiritual umbilical cord is attached to?

"It" has three parts:
1. To not be wise in your own eyes.
2.To fear the Lord.
3. To shun evil.
How do you see yourself? Do you handle everything without God’s input? Are your ideas and ways adequate? If so you may be a little too wise in your own eyes. Over and over God emphasizes to us the huge difference between Him and us. He wants us to be in fear or reverent awe of His untouchable excellence, His power, His majesty. It is because of His limitless compassion that he says Let me lead. He knows full well that He is the one qualified to lead. We need to recognize where true wisdom lies.

If we seek wisdom from wisdom’s source and not from our own selves, God will pour into us strength and health, nourishment and refreshing drink.

There is another scripture that says something very similar. It is found in John 15:5-7 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Without that connection to the true vine, to the source of true wisdom, we will wither. It will be as if we are without nourishment. The amazing thing is that it is out of His immense love that He desires to nourish us.

Dear Father, help us to always recognize that you are wise and worthy of our fearful awe and respect for the magnitude of your wisdom. Help us forfeit the leadership role to you so that our faith will be like an umbilical cord bringing health and nourishment.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Reflections From the Proverbs: Worshiping With Trust

Worshiping with trust



Proverbs Chapter Three:
5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. NIV
God tells us in Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. NIV
Finding God is a heart search not a mind search. Common sense tells us that it took supreme intelligence to create the complex universe we live in and the earth that we live on. This supremely intelligent creator God tells us that we can have a relationship with Him and it comes by finding Him with our heart.

Trust is also a heart thing. These verses tell us to trust the Lord with all our heart and to not depend on our own ability to comprehend things. Our abilities to understand are very limited. while God’s understand is complete and perfect. The message is, let God be God.

We want to run our lives. We even want to run other peoples lives. God says "Let me have the reigns, let me do the leading. I know what tomorrow is going to be like. I know what will make you ready for the things of tomorrow. I know what will bring true joy in your life. You think you know what will bring fulfillment, but you don’t know all the things I know. There are things your mind can’t even comprehend that I can bring into your life if you let me lead."

Trusting the Lord with everything is a form of worship. It is a form of worship that He rightly deserves. It is saying, " I know who you are and who I am in comparison. I honor who you are by letting you lead. I bend my will to your will acknowledging that you are worthy of this manner of worship."

How many blessings have we missed because we were on roads of our own choosing instead of the path God would lead us on. His love is so relentless. He pursues us. He continually beckons us back toward his leadership, to the path of his choosing. Life seems to be a continually meandering back and forth across his chosen path slowly learning how to stay on it more and more. It is finding that it is on his chosen path that the blessing fall. Some learn more quickly than others that being where the blessings are is the wiser choice.

The verse says in all your ways. In the way that you relate to your spouse, in the way that you relate to your children and grandchildren, in the way that you are a friend, an employee or employer, in the way you do ministry. In the way that you are a neighbor. In the way that you use time and resources. In all your ways, if you acknowledge him as Lord, he will give trustworthy direction.

Dear Father, you are certainly worthy of our trust. We acknowledge the greatness of who you are. Please increase our faith to trust you in all our ways. Help us to find the blessings you have marked out for us on the paths of your choosing.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Consistently Caring, Forever Faithful

Consistently Caring, Forever Faithful



Proverbs Chapter Three:
3. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. NIV
I am what I would call a word person. I have always been a word person. I can get pretty excited about how words fit together shedding color and feel and intensity. In comparison, my husband can be watching a sporting event and see a play that to him is just a beautiful thing, bringing strength and skill together to culminate in a goal. Others must get the same thrill because it is then replayed over and over from every imaginable angle to derive every bit of thrill from it. That is how I feel about words, and discovering the perfect word to convey a thought or feeling or message.

This is how I feel about the word "bind".These verses say to take love and faithfulness and bind them around your neck. Let me first say that it isn’t telling us to make necklaces out of them to hang around our neck like trinkets for ornamental value. Although adorning oneself with love and faithfulness is a beautiful thing.

The word bind is a wonderful word. It is translated here from the Hebrew word "qashar" The words used to translate this particular word are, "to bind up", "to join together", "to knit", "stronger", and "work".

Love and faithfulness are to become a part of our being. Joined together as part of our character. Knitted into the fabric of who we are, worked into us. When we do this we become stronger.

This same word is found in Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work. KJV

It is also found in I Samuel 18:1 regarding the friendship of David and Jonathan, And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. KJV

Returning to our verses in Proverbs, they goes on to further emphasize the importance of these two qualities, it says write them on the tablet of your heart. Notice it doesn’t say put them in your memory. This is about what really matters to you, what you really care about. It is about heart things.
Do you want to make a good impression before men, and even before God? Become a person of mercy and trustworthiness. A man or woman with the attributes of loving mercy and continual trustworthiness knitted into the fabric of their character will be a person who will be looked upon with admiration. This person will also receive God’s favor.

God is a God of love and faithfulness. When we bind these to our being and imprint them on our hearts, we become more like God.

"Dear Father, help us to make these two qualities of love and faithfulness part of who we are. Help us to become more like you."

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: If You ___ It, They Will Come

If You______It, They Will Come

Proverbs Chapter Three:
1. My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2. For they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. NIV

We all know the fill in the blank above. From the movie "Field of Dreams" If you build it they will come. Here the fill in the blank is If you keep it they will come. The word "keep" here is the word (natsar) in the Hebrew. The meaning goes further than to store the commands in our hearts. It also means to guard, protect and maintain them. God knows how weak and feeble we are. He knows that His teachings need to be refreshed daily. He knows that there needs to be a daily renewal of relationship with Him. In the movie, if you build the stadium, the people will come. Here the message is if you keep God’s teachings and commands in your heart, prolonged life and prosperity will come.

This refers to much more than the ten commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. God has given us much teaching about who He is, about who we are to Him, about the plans He has for us. He could be telling us I want you to love everything about me. Keep me in your heart. Keep all that I am and all that I care about in your heart. Love what I love, hate what I hate, respond the way I would respond. When you live your life in this manner your life and days will be enriched.

It might be easy to think that doesn’t really pan out when we remember that most of the prophets of God were not treated so well, and neither were the disciples and early Christians. How does long life and prosperity fit together with these saints who became martyrs keeping the teachings of God in their hearts.

The words of Jesus might shed some light on this. In Matthew 6:19-21 he says: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."NIV

We need to remember that we are eternal souls living in temporary bodies. I believe that the verses above can mean that even in this life length of days and prosperity come to us from wise choices and godly living. But we must understand that this life we are living is like the cartoon snippet that precedes the main attraction. Our eternal destiny is the main attraction. This snippet of time that we are allotted sets the course for our eternity. We are given choices that determine our eternal destiny.

Precious are the teachings of God. Keep them, guard them, treasure them in your heart for they will bring life and prosperity. Maintain them with daily attention. It is interesting to note that if you are reading this, that is what you are doing. May God bless you richly as you keep His teachings in your heart.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Harsh Words

Harsh Words


Proverbs Chapter Two:
20. Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it:
22. But the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.
So often in scripture we see two paths set before us and are given the opportunity to choose which path we will take. We are even told the consequences of each possible choice. The words to those who chose paths away from obedience can seem so harsh. We like to keep our focus on His love and forgiveness.

A while back we had a Sunday School lesson that brought this to light. It was from the book of Ezra. Ezra, one of the minor prophets, was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses. God was with him because he had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law, and to teaching it’s decrees and laws in Israel. In other words, he was obedient.

The actual lesson was about leaders, and it centered around how God used King Artaxerxes, (not a worshiper of the one true God) to accomplish the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, and how the people rallied around the godly leader Ezra. I found my interest increase as the lesson continued.

When Ezra got to Jerusalem he learned that the people of Israel had not kept themselves separate from the surrounding people as they had been told to do. These surrounding people were people who had detestable practices. The people of Israel had intermarried with these people. This intermarrying resulted in the acceptance of the worship of other gods.
Ezra was devastated at the news, he tore his clothing and pulled his hair. He prayed, O My God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. While Ezra wept and prayed throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.
Then a man named Shecaniah made a suggestion. Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children. His suggestion was taken and that is what was done. All the foreign women and the children born to them were sent away.

I have to admit that I had mixed feelings about this. It didn’t feel good. Mentally picturing these young women and children being torn from their home their husbands and fathers. It just didn’t feel good. The result of sin never feels good.
We are so quick to absorb the wondrous love from a God who would send His own son to die for us. But we are slow to remember that our God is holy and without compromise when it comes to sin. We want the consequences of sin to disappear, but they don’t. Sin has always hurt people and it still does, and it always will. Yes God forgives, but the fallout of sin still affects those around us. Oh God help us to be a people with obedient hearts willing to follow your wisdom. Help us to understand the ramifications of our choices and how they will affect our families.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Reflections From the Proverbs: Choose Life

Choose Life


Proverbs Chapter Two:
18. For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
This is a continuation of the caution against entering into adulterous situations. It vividly tells the consequences of succumbing to the seductions of the adulteress. Her house leads down to death, and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.
Let’s view this as we did yesterday continuing with the application of a spiritual type of adultery. Remember that God views allowing other "gods" in our life as spiritual adultery.
This sad ending is not what God desires for anyone. Listen to what Jesus said in John Chapter 8 verse 12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus came to bring light and life. What a contrast. Darkness and death, or light and life. Nothing else, no one else, can be what Jesus Christ is. No other path can lead to the path of life except His path.
In John Chapter 10 verse 9-10: "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
God not only desires a different path for us, He became the path Himself. He tells us I am the way, the truth and the life. He says I am the gate. He says I am the light of the world. The other "gods" that we allow into our lives have no ability to provide for us a path to life.

I like the King James Version of verse 10 : I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.. Abundant life. The exact opposite of a path that leads to death. If we could really understand how incredible these words are we would run to Him. If we could really trust that it is His heart’s desire to give us abundant life we would run and not look back nor look to the left or to the right. We would run and embrace Him as Lord.

I think that Paul had some understanding of this "abundant life" when he wrote in Ephesians 3:20 ; Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. NIV

I believe that it is God’s plan for us to have lives filled with excitement and surprises. I believe that it is His desire that our relationships be alive and fun and fulfilling. And, I believe it is God’s plan for our work to be meaningful and productive. With Him at the helm it will be.

I pray that all who read this will seek and find your open arms. I ask, Lord, that you show us a glimpse of the wonderful abundant life you have planned for us. You are all about life. It is our enemy who stalks around seeking to destroy. God you are worthy of our submission and obedience. I pray that all will choose life.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Spiritual Adultery

Spiritual Adultery

Proverbs Chapter Two:
16. It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
17. Who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. NIV

At first glance one would think that this is simply a caution and call for marital faithfulness and moral purity. It is that I’m sure, but in addition, there is a bigger picture that God seems to be always looking at. That is man’s relationship to Him.

There are many passages that speak of spiritual prostitution. The unfaithfulness of God’s people to their God. In the book of Hosea chapter 5 starting with verse 3 it says: I know all about Ephraim; Israel is not hidden from me. Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution; Israel is corrupt. Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.

It is God’s desire to be our all in all. He wants and deserves to be acknowledged in all things. He wants to love and provide and shelter as a loving husband would. He wants to love and provide and shelter as a loving father would. The Old Testament records that His chosen ones turned to other gods and the one and only true God called it prostitution. He refers to Himself as a jealous God. He has no intention of sharing us with any other god.

In Exodus 34 God spoke to Moses when he went up on Mount Sinai to get the second set of commandments (after breaking the first set).12; Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is jealous, is a jealous God.

His great love and His infinite wisdom make the empty trappings of false gods seem so foolish. But the trouble is that we don’t stay focused on God’s love and wisdom. We can so easily get caught up in things that take God’s rightful place. When we pour ourselves into careers or entertainment and set God aside for some more convenient time, we are allowing something to become a god in our life. Earning more and having more or doing more, these are seductive voices calling to us all the time.

We downplay our priority choices. We find excuses for our choices. We can even justify them. We certainly don’t want to think of them as spiritual adultery. What is God’s view of our priorities, our choices. Does He watch our life and say, " There is a spirit of prostitution in your heart, you do not acknowledge the Lord."

I pray that we will be a people who understand that we offend God when we do not allow Him to be Lord. I pray that He will reveal to us areas where our hearts are turned towards something other than Him. I pray that He will help us to submit these areas to Him.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Wisdom is Light

Wisdom is light


Proverbs Chapter Two
12. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,
13. Who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways,
14. Who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. NIV

In the book of John chapter 3, Jesus reveals some truth and wisdom. It says:
16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." NIV

This well known much loved passage of John 3:16 seems out of place connected to the old testament passage about wisdom saving us from wickedness, perverseness, dark paths, crookedness, deviousness and evil. But it connects beautifully, like a puzzle piece fitting to reveal a picture.

Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s perfect wisdom. It is Jesus the Christ who "saves" us from darkness and evil. But as Jesus speaks of God’s love to accomplish this he reveals another truth about the nature of mankind. He says people love darkness instead of light. It boils down to a heart thing. It is all about what we love.
Tapping into the wisdom of God is all about what is in our hearts. It is about what we treasure most. Both the old and new testaments tell us to love the lord your God with all our heart, soul, and strength.

We can get a pretty good idea of what we love most by looking over daily planners, glancing through our checkbooks, and listening to the words we say. Our time, our resources, and our words are pretty good barometers of where our heart is. If we make our relationship with Jesus Christ the Son and God the Father the treasures of our heart, then the wisdom of God will keep us from evil ways.

I pray that we will be a people who love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. God knows that man’s nature is to love darkness. I pray that we will be a people of light. God loves to hear and answer this kind of prayer.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Personal Body Guards

Personal Body Guards


Proverbs Chapter Two
11. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. NIV

According to this passage, this growing relationship I have with the Lord provides for me the gift of two personal body guards. Their names are Officer Discretion and Officer Understanding. Officer Discretion is an expert in discernment. He discerns for me what is wise and what is foolish, what is good and what is evil, what is right and what is wrong. I try to listen to him at all times.
I John 4:1 says; Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Our adversary is tricky and likes to appear shiny and good.
It is so easy to get caught up in thinking that surely God wants us to be happy. Friend, God wants us to be obedient. Sometimes obedience is difficult and it does not always feel good. How we feel is not the correct barometer to determine what is wise. We cannot trust our feelings, we cannot trust our own hearts. According to Jeremiah 17:9, 10 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? If we, as the saying goes, "follow our hearts" we are likely to be led down wrong paths, foolish paths, paths of self-centeredness. Because of this I need discernment beyond my own ability.

Officer Understanding has the ability of knowing the probable outcome of things. Kind of like getting a tomorrow view of a today action. I try to pay attention to his guidance also. It is good to ask the questions often. What will the result be if.......? How will this choice affect my family.........? How will this affect my relationship with the Lord.............? Wisdom looks past today.

I was blessed to begin a relationship with my heavenly Father at a very young age. I grew up loving Him and wanting to serve Him. I remember as a young child praying for wisdom. I remember specifically praying that God would help me learn from other people’s mistakes so that I wouldn’t have to make so many mistakes myself and reap the consequences. I believe that God honored those sincere prayers of a child. He steered my life away from many harmful things. He guided me to places of growth and strength. Did I get everything my heart wanted? No, but I got joy. He placed joy within my heart.

It only makes sense that if it was good for Solomon to ask God for wisdom then it is probably good for us too. In face, we find the invitation to request wisdom from God in the new testament.

James, the brother of Jesus wrote a letter to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. In this letter, he writes in Chapter One verse Five: 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. NIV

It is God’s desire that we all have discretion and understanding to protect and to guard us. It is because God loves us so much that He wants to be our guide. He knows that our own hearts and minds are not qualified to lead. They are not trustworthy. We can be sure that God is trustworthy.

I pray that we will be a people asking God for wisdom, a people asking for the two protectors "discretion and understanding", and a people who understand how much He loves us.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs Soul Pleasure

Soul Pleasure


Proverbs Chapter Two7. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8. for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path.
10. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. NIV


"Then" is always an interesting word. It connects two actions together. After "such and such" happens then "this" will happen. In this case the "such and such" is the act of becoming acquainted with the protecting, guiding and enlightening leadership of the Father. After that happens, then you will understand what is right and just and fair–every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

The old saying that ignorance is bliss certainly does not apply here. The more we become acquainted with God’s loving care for us, His guidance, His protection, and the closer we draw to Him, the more we see His heart. The more we see His heart, the more we begin to let our hearts become like His. We begin to understand what is fair and right from God’s perspective. We begin to be more interested in what is genuinely good and not just what is good for us.

After we get a taste of how wonderfully our heavenly Father loves us, our inner being increasingly desires to be more like Him. The desire to become more faithful grows in us. From this kind of a maturing relationship with Him wisdom will enter our hearts, and a pleasant awareness will begin to grow in our soul.

We live in a very cold and calculating world where much is done according to how it will benefit the doer. Our time is spent earning money to heap gain in our own laps. We fight and finagle our way to the top of many types of ladders. Trying to gain positions that will bring more prosperity, power or recognition. We carefully measure and maneuver outcomes depending on how they will affect us. Even acts of kindness and charitable giving can be done expecting some type of benefit in return.

Heart wisdom is a clarity of vision that goes beyond ourselves, it sees past our own circumstances. It sees with the eyes of God, and feels with His heart. Sometimes it is not logical. Sometimes it is not practical. Heart wisdom becomes aware of the bigger picture. It sacrifices self for that bigger cause. Soldiers are familiar with this concept. They leave their lives behind to fight for causes bigger than themselves, and sometimes beyond what they understand.

When you do something and you know that it comes from the desires of God’s heart and by the direction of His hand, it brings a pleasantness to your soul that nothing else can match.

I pray that we will be a people filled with pleasantness in our souls.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: My Shield

My Shield

Proverbs Chapter Two
7.b. he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8. For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. NIV


We talked earlier about the trade that Jesus made so that my sins are no longer on my account sheet, but have already been judged and punished. I have a clean slate. I am blameless. Not because I am good but because of my faith in Jesus Christ and His goodness.

I don’t walk a perfect walk, but I walk a blameless walk because of grace, unmerited, amazing grace. The promise made here for those whose walk is blameless is that God will be a shield for them.

There is a verse in Psalms chapter 5 that I love. It is verse 12. David wrote: For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

I have one son. I guess you could safely say he is my favorite among all other young men. He gets favored treatment. We were on a mission trip in Mexico together when he was around 10 years old. We were walking around a village when a ferocious sounding dog came charging out toward him growing and barring his teeth. Something rose up in me with terrific force. I pointed a finger at the dog and yelled with forceful authority “NO!” That poor dog must have thought something was going to come shooting out of my finger because he went yelping away and hid. Normally I am fearful of unfamiliar dogs. Where did that sudden boldness come from? Well, that was my favored son that dog was charging at. I became a shield around him. (My daughters are favored among all other young women, and I would do the same for them.)

Not everyone grows up in a family being a favored child although everyone wants to. Well, I have good news. Because God is God. all of His children are His favorites. I am the only one like me. God only made one like me, and I am His favorite of my kind. God cares about me. At times He rears up, points his finger in Satan’s face, and forcefully with all authority says NO! God’s loving favor becomes a shield around me and Satan has to back off.

God carefully watches my path. He guides me with wisdom and purpose and precision. Sometimes it is through gardens of sweet pleasure, and sometimes through dark valleys with hard lessons. Sometimes it is through meaningful challenges, but always my heavenly Father is nearby guarding me.

I could by choice wander off on a course not directed by God. I could chart my own path. Even though my foolish independence removes me from his umbrella of blessing, I could never step outside of God’s love. He calls us to be faithful children seeking His direction. We can be blameless because of Christ. We are faithful by daily choice.

I thank God for the gift of His grace that has pardoned me. I thank Him that we all can be favored children of the King.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: VICTORY

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y

Proverbs Chapter Two
7. He holds victory in store for the upright, NIV


I like the way the King James Version words this verse. It reads: He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.
The victory prize is wisdom. When I think of the word victory it takes me back to my high school days and those oh so important football games. The cheerleaders would lead the crowd to spell out V-I-C-T-O-R-Y then shout VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY! We all wanted our team to be victorious. I can still get a little caught up watching our Razorbacks. It is interesting to watch the crowds. You can easily tell the casual fans from the real fans. The real fans exhibit behaviors that tell you they really want their team to win.
All that yelling and stomping and "calling of the hogs" spurs the team on, but what really counts is the time spent on the practice fields when no one is cheering. The daily grind of going through the plays over and over. Those players want that prize of victory bad enough to work for it.

I feel certain that everyone wants to be victorious when it comes to attaining wisdom. We all admire those whom we consider to be wise. We all want the benefits that wisdom brings. Everyone wants to cross that end zone and claim the prize. The question is how bad do we want it? Are we like the players investing the practice time, or are we like the casual fans more worried about the traffic jams than who wins the game? Do we sometimes settle for mediocre lives instead of powerful lives because we don’t want it bad enough. Or do we miss out on exciting challenges because the discipline involved in attaining true wisdom seems too great.

God is so awesome. Not only does He hold the prize in His hand waiting for us to come claim it, He gives us a robe of righteousness that makes us worthy to claim it.
Paul says in Romans Chapter 3 :21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Because of my faith in Him, Jesus traded His righteousness for my sinfulness. Then all my sinfulness perished on the cross. He will lead me and empower me through the grind of life. Every now and then I know that I have passed into the end zone and I am given a little portion of sound wisdom.
It is a process, and sometimes I am more yielded to His leadership and power than at others. It is an amazing process. As I gain bits of wisdom, I am drawn closer to this wonderful redeemer. And as I draw closer to Him, I gain more bits of wisdom.
I pray that God will help us all become avid fans of the God and me (or God and you) team. I pray that he will help us all yearn for victory and strive for the prize of sound wisdom.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: From His Mouth

From His Mouth

Proverbs Chapter Two
6. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. NIV


As humans we cannot grasp the depth of wisdom. What comes from His mouth can be nothing less than pure wisdom and great power. Looking back to Genesis to the account of creation it says: And God said, "Let there be light," And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place. And God said, "let the land produce vegetation. And God said, "let there be lights in the sky". And God said, "let the water teem with living creatures and let birds fly above the earth And God said, let the land produce living creatures after their kinds.
All these things were spoken into existence. The wisdom and power that came from the mouth of God created all that we see around us.
All around us God has given us His letter of recommendation that He is the authority of wisdom. From the dainty hummingbird that hovers at my feeder like a tiny helicopter to the lovely butterfly that last year was a not so lovely worm. From the spinning of our world that brings a sunrise and sunset each day to the moon that changes location and shape from night to night. Everything I see has His stamp of intelligence and wisdom all over it.
From the account of creation we go on to accounts of the Holy God speaking to man. He spoke to Adam, He spoke to Noah. He spoke to Abraham. He spoke to Joseph. He spoke to Moses, and He wrote down His words on tablets of stone for us. He spoke to the prophets.
The prophet Jeremiah had a conversation with God that went something like this:
"Jeremiah, before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
"Jeremiah, do not say, "I am only a child". You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you."
Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched Jeremiah’s mouth and said, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.
I like what the scriptures say about Samuel: The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. Samuel understood that what comes from the mouth of God is true and has value and power.
The last point I want to make from this verse is that the Lord gives wisdom. He is a very giving God. It is His desire to give us wisdom. If we want to learn music we go to a master of music to learn. If we want to learn a sport, we go to a master of that sport to learn and become proficient. If we want wisdom, we must go to the wisdom master. I pray that we will be a people with a heart that treasures the words of His mouth and is hungry for His wisdom.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Searching For Hidden Treasure

Searching For Hidden Treasure
Proverbs Chapter Two
1. My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2. Turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
3. And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4. And if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5. Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Don’t argue with them, don’t change them or water them down, don’t ignore them. When it comes to God’s words, just accept them as you would a gift. What does he say that we should do with his commands? He says, "store them up". Not like you would store things in the attic or the garage, but He tells us to store them within us. File them carefully in your heart so you can run to that file and pull it out when you need it. They have value. God wants you to understand that they have great value. They aren’t like junk mail that you receive and then toss out. He says store them up.
He also says turn your ear or in other words, focus your attention on what I tell you, and let it go to your heart. Don’t just have a head knowledge of what I say, let it penetrate your heart. Let it affect what you really care about. Let it cause you to see and feel the way God sees and feels.
He says, " Ask me, call out for insight, cry out to me for understanding".
Then he says, and if you look for it as for silver, or, if in your heart you understand that what you are asking for has very great value like a hidden treasure, then you will come to understand the beginning of knowledge which is the fear of the Lord. And you will find the knowledge of God.
In verse 5 the word "of" can mean two different things. It can mean knowledge "about" God, or it could mean knowledge "belonging to" God.. Either way the knowledge is a priceless treasure.
Personally I think it can be both. When we are willing to submit our lives to the path that God directs, I believe we will find knowledge about our creator and knowledge from the depths of his resources that will come in no other way.
In these verses we find a list of action words that propel us towards that goal of wisdom.
Accept my words. Store up my commands. Turn your ear. Apply your heart. Call out. Cry aloud. Look for it. Search for it. Then after doing these things, then you will understand how worthy our Heavenly Father is to be feared and to be reverenced. This understanding, this knowledge of God puts us on a path of treasure to be discovered day by day.
I pray to our awesome God that today, on this historic inauguration day, the people of this nation will accept His words, that we will store them in our hearts, that we will turn our ears and apply our hearts to His wisdom.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Wisdom Heard


Wisdom Heard
Proverbs Chapter 1
32. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33. but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear or harm.
God desires for us to listen to the voice of wisdom. He wants us to understand that the choice to listen is vitally important. This choice is not a do I want chocolate or vanilla decision, this is a do I want life or death decision.
"Simple" people are not the uneducated, in fact highly educated people can be "simple". The word refers to the morally foolish and easily seduced. All of us can be sidetracked by something that is off the path of wisdom. When this happens, wisdom will call you back. Those who are simple will not hear this call.
The word translated "complacency" is the word "shalvah" . It is a word that means "security".
The dictionary defines complacence as the secure satisfaction with one’s self. A place of complacency is a scary place indeed.
We need a wisdom beyond our own. We need a wisdom that can see into tomorrow. We need a wisdom guided by love.
Sweet are the promises that say, "If you listen to my wisdom you will live in safety and be at ease, without fear or harm."
There is quite a contrast here, death and destruction vs. safety and ease of mind. Who in their right mind would pick a path of death and destruction over a path of safety? The answer is many would and many do. Many who are guided by trust in self. God says over and over, "trust in me."
Proverbs 3: 5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
I love that word "whoever" in verse 33 above. It means that there are no requirements to qualify for the opportunity to listen to this heavenly wisdom. It doesn’t matter if you are male or female. It doesn’t matter if you are a child or an adult. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is, and it doesn’t matter what your station in life is. You could be the CEO of a large company, or you could be the one who irons his shirts. God makes his wisdom available to all who are willing to listen. If you are willing to "listen" you will find that place of safety. Your mind will be at ease and your heart will ask the question that David asked. The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
The King James Version uses the word "hearkeneth" instead of the word "listen". I like it better because this kind of listening requires hearing and obedience. It requires paying attention to what is heard. I can listen to words of wisdom like I listen to a song on the radio, or I can hearkeneth to the words of wisdom and apply them to my life.
Because God loves us so deeply we can trust him completely. We can trust him enough to listen to his words of wisdom for our lives.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Even If He Chooses Not I'll Serve Him Anyhow

Three faithful men of God,
Stood before the heathen king,
And said that worship to his idol
They would never bring.
They would not bow their knee
To the image made of gold.
The king screamed "throw them in the fire!"
But still these men were bold...........they confidently told the king....

Our God is able to deliver us
From the power of your hand.
And we will bow to him alone,
And obey only His command.
our God is able to deliver us,
The king yelled "make it hot!"
Our God is able to deliver us,
But if He choose not,
Still we shall not bow, still we shall not bow,
No, even if He chooses not,
We'll serve Him anyhow.

The king said "bind these men,
And hotter make the fire.
now throw them in and we shall see
If this God of theirs is higher."
The king rose to his feet,
said "open up the door".
We cast three men into the fire,
They live, and there are four........they came out of the fire singing

Our God was able to deliver us
From the power of your hand.
And we will bow to Him alone,
And obey only His command.
Our God was able to deliver us,
From your hottest fire,
Our God was able to deliver us,
salvation was His desire,
So to Him we bow, So to Him we pray,
our salvation was His plan,
And we will serve Him every day.

At times we face the fire,
That round us tends to burn,
But we'll not be consumed by it,
If to the Lord we turn.
He is still the fourth man
When old Satan fans the fire,
And His hand is still extended,
And He will lift us higher........And like those men of old we can sing....

Our God is able to deliver us,
From the power of your hand,
And we will bow to Him alone,
And obey only His command,
our God is able to deliver us,
And though you make it hot,
our God is able to deliver us,
But if He choose not,
Still we shall not bow to you, still we shall not bow,
No, even if he chooses not,
We'll serve him anyhow.

bl landis

Times are changing rapidly. Boldness is something we probably should start praying for now. Talking about Jesus in the past might have got you labeled weird. Talking about Jesus now, might get you labled "intolerant" or a "hater" or worse. We are facing times that we need to be prepared for. We need to prepare with much prayer. I pray for myself, and all of my Christian brothers and sisters that we will be given a supernatural boldness to speak the truth of the gospel. I pray that the boldness will increase as the days become more difficult. God Bless.




Friday, January 9, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Wisdom Ignored

Wisdom Ignored

Proverbs Chapter 1
24. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25. Since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26. I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you–
27. When calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
29. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
30. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31. They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

We discussed earlier the wonderful reward available to us when we have a reverent acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God. Today we will look at the results when wisdom is rejected and godly advise is ignored.
These verses don’t say if your life becomes a disaster or if calamity overtakes you, or if disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind. It says when calamity overtakes you and when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, and when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
These things are guaranteed to happen apart from the leadership of God. God knows where all the land mines are. He can guide you around them. On our own we will probably hit every one.
Difficulties come even in the lives of those who are following the leadership of God. He allows these times to be times of teaching and growing. But going through difficult times with a strong hand to hold is better than going through difficult times all on your own.
God tells us the outcome of following our own way instead of his way. And, when we follow our own way and arrive at the for-warned outcome of calamity God finds it laughable that we are surprised and overwhelmed,. He is not heartless, it is just that truth will be so obvious. And he reminds us that He is not found in the midst of disobedience. We have a choice. We can choose to fear the Lord, or we can choose to not fear the Lord. Our choice will affect our life with either reward or with calamity.
The New Testament says you will reap what you sow. These Old Testament verses say you will eat the fruit of your ways. There is a law here that will not be interrupted. If you plant corn, corn is the only thing that can come up. No matter how badly you want peas, the corn will only produce corn. The fruit of our ways will bear fruit after the likeness of our ways. No matter how we wish the outcome were different.
The good news from these sad verses is this. We do have a choice. Joshua 24:14-15 says: "Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
We have a choice. It is my prayer that we will be a nation of people choosing the wise leadership of a wise and loving God.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Reconciled

Wisdom and Reconciliation

I guess the central theme of my thoughts looking forward into 2009 have revolved around the topic of wisdom and grasping the truth that Jesus Christ is God's wisdom for us. A secondary topic that stays in my heart is the topic of reconciliation. As a nation there are so many areas in which we are broken and disconnected. Government is broken, the economy is broken, homes and families are broken. Even in our churches there is a brokeness and a profound need for reconciliation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. and he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5: 17-19 NIV

Wanted: Ministers of reconciliation. Apply within.
Every church should be running this want ad in their bulletin. Those of us who have become children of God, appreciate this wonderful reconciliation that reconnects us to God. We are not, however, according to some statistics, as excited about reconciliation with each other. According to the Barna Group, from 1991 to 2004 there was a 92% increase in the number of unchurched Americans. In 2006 statistics showed that 44% of unchurched persons claim they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life today. These statistics would indicate that a good number of these unchurched people are people who have probably been in church at one time.
In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus tells his disciples "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you. Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." NIV

God says, "If you are at odds with a brother, don't bring me anything. There is something more important to me than your gift. It is more important to me that you be reconciled with your brother."

Maybe it would be better if we would bring our tithe to the altar instead of dropping it into a plate that passes by, or like me, doing an online transfer once a month sending my tithe to the church.

At the altar a person is more apt to think about his issues. At the altar we are reminded of things that need to be attended to. Attending to reconciliation is important to God.

In 40 plus years of churchgoing, I have often seen believers who were somehow wounded in their spirits, became disheartened with the church and either moved on to another church family or joined the ranks of the unchurched. Sometimes calls were made, or cards were sent, but for the most part very little effort was made to keep the church family in tact. And, never have I seen a reconciliation ministry within a church whose sole purpose was to restore unity between church family members.

Scripture speaks so strongly about reconciliation. Maybe it is because the Holy Spirit requires unity to work. It is my concern that in order for this present generation to witness an awakening, we may have to get a handle on reconciliation.

The first step toward achieving regular active reconciliation in the church, (or anywhere,) is to acknowledge each person's worth, viewing each individual as God sees them. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul compares the church to a physical body, emphasizing the value of each member. Verse 18 goes even further by reminding us that, in fact God has arranged the parts in the body every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. It is probably best that we not take this lightly. If, in fact, the big church puzzle that is being put together piece by piece is by God's design, we must work hard not to disrupt it. How very important it is for us to listen well to Paul's words regarding unity found in Ephesians 4:2-3, Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.NIV A disjointed, broken body is not able to accomplish what a body that is intact and un-fractured can.

Each person comes into the church family with both strengths and needs. the church should be a place for both to be discovered. Each person who leaves a church family leaves with their strengths that could have been used, and their needs that could have been ministered to. This loss should be recognized as loss. The ministers of reconciliation should be all about loss prevention.

The second step is more difficult. Step two involves examining the obstacles to reconciliation, obstacles such as pride, the desire for power, fear, or apathy. The cost is so great when there is no reconciliation, and the benefit is so great when there is. The sweetness of unity and the power that is unleashed is incredible and attainable. A church can become like a powerful magnet that draws and keeps the persons that God brings its way.

The potential of a church willing to search out the strengths and needs of each person that God places in their care is limitless, and the church that is willing to fight hard to resolve any and all conflicts understanding and conveying the great value of each individual will be blessed pressed down and running over.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs

Wisdom’s Reward
Proverb Chapter 1
20. Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21. At the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22. "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23. If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.

In these verses wisdom is given a personality and a voice to speak to us. She wants to be heard. She wants to be found. Wisdom does not hide from us. She makes herself available to us. We only have to open our ears to hear her. She points out that mankind seems to like a wisdom-less life. I think it could boil down to an attitude of "no one is going to tell me what to do." We are like toddlers demanding "I do it myself". It even reminds me of the words of Jesus that men like darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. People tend to want to be accountable only to themselves.
What powerful words are found in verse 23. If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. We know that the wisdom-giver is God. We were told back in verse 7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline".
The word "fool" here refers to one who is deficient morally. Wisdom says, if you would not be a fool, if you would get off of your high horse of self importance and bend your knee to the authority and sovereignty of God I would pour my heart and mind into you. Wow!
Why do we find it so difficult to put God in his rightful place and put ourselves in our rightful place, especially when the rewards are so great. Why? Because it takes faith to give up control of our lives. Hebrews 11:6 says: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
We must believe that He exists, and that He is personally interested in us individually. He promises that if we seek him with our whole heart we will find him. Having the heart and mind of God poured into our life is a reward of priceless value. Don’t settle for a life without the blessing of wisdom poured into your life, a life without the heart and mind of God poured out into your life.
Ask God to help you keep Him in that place of sovereign authority. If you struggle with faith and trust issues, ask God to increase your faith. It is the desire of his heart for you to have a strong faith and trust in him. It is a prayer He will be glad to answer. It is the desire of his heart to pour out his heart and mind into you. I pray that we will be a nation of wisdom hungry people.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: A Bird's Eye View

A Bird’s Eye View

Proverbs chapter 1
Verse 10. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
Verse 11. If they say "come along with us; let’s lie in wait for someone’s blood, let’s waylay some harmless soul;
Verse 12. Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
Verse 13. We will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
Verse 14. Throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"
Verse 15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
Verse 16. For their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
Verse 17. How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!
Verse 18.These men lie in wait for their own blood; the waylay only themselves!
Verse 19. Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

It is almost easy to think that verses like these are unnecessary. Don’t people just know that it is not wise to cast their lot in with thugs, thieves, and those who would do harm to others? Not necessarily. These types of enticements will be camouflaged and will look more like "Hey you, want to have some REAL fun?" "Let’s see how brave you are." "If you want to be in with us, this is what you gotta do." People want and need to be a part of something. They need a place to fit in.
Most people know that it is not wise to play in a street with heavy traffic, but babies and small children don’t know that. There is something enticing about the street. Something that makes it look fun. They have to be taught, restrained, and disciplined for their own good. As they grow and learn they get new perspective of the dangers of the street. Then they choose on their own not to play in the street because they see the danger.
People can be spiritual babies not able to see the dangers around them. Those involved in mischief don’t wear shirts that announce "Beware of me I am a potential hazard. I’ll lead you astray." There is enticement in power and gain when the consequences are hidden. The goal of these verses is to make very clear the consequences. To give the bird a view of the net. If a bird sees a net it won’t go there.
The net is this; if you go after gain in ways that hurt people, or misuse people there will be a high price to pay. It will never bring the enjoyment you hope for.
God wants us to be able to see the nets around us. His deep love for us is the kind of love that will teach us, restrain us, and discipline us for our own good, just like a father keeping a toddler from a busy street. Instead of the famous line "show me the money" we should be crying out "show me the nets."

Friday, January 2, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Teaching and Learning

Teaching and Learning

Proverbs Chapter 1
Verse 8. Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Verse 9. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

On the heels of telling us that a reverent fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, Solomon goes immediately to the next important factor, parental instruction. The King James Version says: hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother.. The word hear is the Hebrew word (shama), it means to hear intelligently with the implication of attention and obedience. The word instruction is the Hebrew word (muwcar), it means chastisement, reproof, warning or instruction. The word law is the Hebrew word (towrah) or (torah) this word denotes a precept or statute especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.
This passage takes for granted that mothers were teaching their children the ways of godliness and that fathers were backing it up with discipline and reproof.
The flip side of this "obey your parents" coin is the not so subtle message to parents to be sure to teach the Word of God to your children. Do not depend on Sunday school teachers or youth directors or pastors, and do not leave them on their own to find God. It is the responsibility of parents to pass on to the next generation a knowledge of the Creator and how to have a relationship with him . There would be very few parents who don’t want the best for their children. I like how the New Living Translation words this section of scripture, it says: Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.
In my mind, I can picture Olympic winners being adorned with wreaths on their heads and chains of gold around their necks.
The twofold message here is to teach well and to learn well. We might remember that we continue to both learn and teach as long as we live
I want to add one final note. Not everyone is blessed with parents who teach godly ways. You may be thinking, no way do I want to follow the ways of my parents. If this is your situation, ask God to place people in your life that you can look to and learn from. God wants you to have godly instruction and good examples. Ask Him to direct you to godly surrogates. It is God’s desire that we receive an ornament of grace unto our head and chains about our neck.
I pray that parents will will understand the great importance of passing the torch to the next generation.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Reflections From The Proverbs: Wisdom 101

 Wisdom 101

Proverbs Chapter 11. The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2. For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3. For acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4. For giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young–
5. Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance–
6. For understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

If there was a "Hall Of Fame" for the wise, King Solomon, who authored a book to be used for gaining wisdom and self-discipline, would certainly be among the inductees. The wisdom Solomon writes about in the book of Proverbs, can lead the reader to a life adorned with righteousness. A book written for the old and wise as well as the young and unlearned. After stating the purpose of the book and telling who it is for, Solomon announces the first step to this wonderful life of wisdom. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
Solomon demonstrated that he had a reverent fear of God. When God came to him in a dream and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Solomon answered with respect in his words that showed he understood the servant/master role. He said, "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. Now O 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."
He understood who he was and who God was. He did not refer to himself as "me or I" he referred to himself as "your servant". He was king over many people but he understood that God was King over all. He also knew that it mattered how well he did his job.
God was pleased with Solomon’s request for a discerning heart. He didn’t ask God for intellect, he ask for God to work in his heart. The job at hand, leading a people too numerous to count, was overwhelming to him. Solomon understood that he could only get a discerning heart from a discerning heart. It pleases God when we want our hearts to be like His.
Sometimes we too can feel overwhelmed by the job at hand, by the needs of our little kingdoms, or the responsibilities of our callings. Marvelous change would come if leaders, and parents, and teachers, and pastors, and neighbors would pray for discerning hearts filled with compassion and fairness.
I pray for an outpouring of a hunger and thirst for the wisdom of God in this new year.