Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture

Luke 6:27 –28 – “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

Observation

This is Jesus speaking to a large group what may be one of the most difficult and counter to our flesh things for us to do.  We are to love our enemies, do good to those who hate on us, bless those who talk evil of us and pray for our abusers.  This message was not just for the disciples, pastors or missionaries but for all believers.  This can only be accomplished with Spirit led behavior that was first modeled by God.

Application

1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because he first loved us.”  When I was in direct opposition to God, an enemy to our Lord and savior, he loved me.  He loved me so much that He sent Jesus to pay for my sins so I could repent, be reconciled and have a relationship with Him.  If we look at others through the lens of the Gospel and what we have been forgiven of then it makes what seems impossible to the flesh able through the Spirit.  We are not to judge and hate back but called to love and pray.  I know I have to press pause because many times my reaction is to go right back at someone or something.  Jesus tells us to do this although we may be reviled and expect nothing in return on earth.  Our reward will be great in heaven as we are children of God.  What would social media look like if we put Jesus’ teaching into practice?

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for loving me first when I was in opposition to you.  Let your Spirit guide me not to judge or act out of my flesh but to love, pray for those who have hurt, wronged or hate me.

Scripture: Luke 5:8-11

-When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Observations: Although Jesus says “Do not be afraid”, there was a healthy recognition by Simon’s part to realize who Jesus was. When Simon recognized who Jesus was he recognized who he was, a sinful man. You see, Simon, a professional fishermen, knew there were no fish in those waters, he had just spent hours the night before navigating them. Simon wasn’t recognizing Jesus as some fantastic fishermen he recognized Him as a miracle maker, as Lord. Simon saw that Jesus was someone who was worthy of dropping everything and following.

Applications: I believe a healthy recognition of Jesus results in a healthy recognition of ourselves. Our culture saturates us with messages of worthiness and entitlement to the point where it’s hard to give Jesus the worthiness and entitlement He deserves and demands. If Simon never had this “woah is me” moment I think he’d still be fishing. You see that moment led him to action, to drop everything and follow someone who is more worthy than his own agenda. Do we see Jesus for the worth that He is? Do our lives reflect His worth or our worth? Recognize Jesus this week.

Prayer: Lord forgive me for being obsessed with my own needs, my own worth and my own agenda. Show me this week how worthy you are. Let me joy and worth come from giving you glory. Amen

Scripture:    Jesus said in the local synagogue, reading from Isaiah:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (Isaiah 61:1 and 2; Ps 146:7 and 8; Isaiah 58:6; Isaiah 49.8)

“And all spoke well of (Jesus) and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth…”

(But just a few moments later) “When they (the folks at this same synagogue) heard all these things (that Jesus explained and clarified), all in the synagogue were filled with wrath…and drove (Jesus) out of town (to a place where they could throw Him off a cliff)….Luke 4:18-19; v. 22; v. 28-29 (paraphrased in some parts)

Observation:    My goodness how the crowds can turn so quickly.  Talking about the Gospel is ok until you start explaining the implications.  Isn’t the Good News of the Gospel good all the way around?  Yes…and no.

Application:   I read somewhere that a prominent theologian was asked “what is the most significant thing you have learned over your many years of studying the Bible.”

His answer after a few moments of deeply thinking:  “Jesus loves me, this I know.  For the Bible tells me so…”

And so it is.  But, the simple Gospel isn’t always simple to many—mostly because we don’t learn enough about why it is simple.

I have written before that the Gospel is like a multifaceted jewel: every facet (and there are more than can be counted) is a marvelous piece of the Gospel to be studied and adored.

When any of these facets are studied with focus, a couple of possible responses may be:

• Oh Lord, my God: thank you thank you thank you, and/or;
• Oh Lord, my God: who then, can be saved from the wrath to come?

Jesus stood up in the local synagogue and read from Scripture.  He was talking about Himself (“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing…”) and every one in attendance went “Aw…isn’t that sweet!  Look, Joseph’s boy is doing good.  Listen how well-spoken he is.  I just love hearing him talk…”

And then Jesus started to explain with examples, basically pointing out that there were a number of pretty big issues in Israel’s past that could have used a good dose of deliverance…but God chose to address only a couple of individuals.  Jesus took the “Oh how sweet” and brought a dose of Gospel reality to the congregation.

Thinking about proclaiming the Gospel screws up many heads.  Take me for instance: Preaching the Gospel in my younger days became a sales job…how many notches can I put in the spine of my Bible?

Preaching the Gospel has a particular root: Proclaiming the supremacy of God and that He (the Trinity) alone provides a way for rebellious, traitorous, sinful Man to enter His presence—redeemed and adopted as family.

Paul in Acts 24 spoke to Felix about “righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement.”  Felix’s response?: “He was alarmed and said ‘Go away…’”

A disciple’s responsibility is to “proclaim the coming of the Lord”, in essence: The Gospel.  Nowhere is there a place where that disciple is responsible for anybody’s response except for one: the Face in the Mirror.

Prayer:   O mighty Three in One: Please make my heart continue to be amazed at the beauty and depth of the Gospel and all the implications.  Make me adore all the facets, even those that are so very difficult to think about.  Help me to make the message of the Gospel simply and complete.  AMEN

 

Scripture

16 And (the shepherds) went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

19 … Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

51 And (Jesus) went down with (Mary and Joseph) and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

 

Observation

Two things strike me this morning from Luke 2:

The Humility of Jesus

The Heart of Mary

 

The Savior of the world … Lord over all creation … comes to earth as a newborn!

It’s so easy to get used to this from a cultural perspective … “the Christmas story”.

But this is the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, from everlasting to everlasting, coming to a speck of dirt in the universe as an utterly dependent baby!

I can only be frozen in awe if i truly grasp the humility of this.

 

And then later, when the family was returning to their hometown after a festival in Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind.

As far as Mary and Joseph were concerned, their son Jesus was “missing”.

After this event, the young boy Jesus is described as “submissive to them”.

This, again, is simply astounding.

The teachers in the temple were “amazed at his understanding and answers”.

Yet, boy Jesus, again, sustainer of all that is seen and unseen, … was “submissive” to his parents.

The humility is stunning.

 

I don’t know how much of a full understanding Mary had at the time of the events unfolding in her midst.

But she certainly had the appropriate response.

Ponder them and treasure them in her heart.

She took none of this for granted.

No doubt many walked by or casually greeted or hardly noticed who this Jesus was in their midst.

But Mary’s heart was full.

Full of pondering and treasuring.

 

Application

How humble am I?

I really do try to be humble.

But when I consider my own humility, my inclination will always be to compare myself against someone less humble than I am.

I can make myself look relatively good in this light.

But I must consider Jesus.

My humility is infinitesimally minuscule compared to God of the universe making Himself greet the world as a newborn … in an animal’s food trough, no less!

I should never stop being in awe of this.

 

Which makes me ask myself, “What am I in awe of?”

Often times it will be acts of overcoming, of achievement, and of “victory against the odds”.

What was Mary in awe of?

Shepherds, a birth, … her son’s presence after being found.

Mary treasured seemingly simple things.

Nothing had been “overcome” or “victorious” or “achieved”, yet.

In fact, having Jesus in her life had complicated her life in many ways.

Jesus didn’t make Mary’s life “easier”.

But she treasured the moments in her heart.

Luke mentions two separate occasions of Mary doing this.

I imagine this was a recurring habit for Mary.

Observing and pondering and treasuring in her heart.

I should embrace this same habit.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for you word.

Help me see these words not merely as a Christmas story,

But the greatest story of all

Help me ponder and treasure these things

And all things of who you are in my heart

In Jesus name,

Amen

Luke 1 Scripture:

[12] And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

[18] And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

[28] And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [29] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

[30] And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

[34] And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

[38] And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Observation:

Both Zechariah and Mary were chosen by God to be used in a specific way to fulfill his plan.  Compare the difference in reactions between Zechariah and Mary as they were each visited by the angel Gabriel with very good news – news that they were each to be used to fulfill God’s plans as prophesied.

Zechariah was troubled with fear when he saw God’s angel.

Zechariah questioned God – “How shall I know this?”.  Even though he had been praying for something like this.

Zechariah doubted God – “..For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”

Circumstantially Zechariah felt that neither he nor his wife Elizabeth were equipped to be used as God wanted to use them – “But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

Mary was troubled as well – seeing the angel Gabriel, she was troubled in her humility, to think that God is sending a representative to tell her face to face she is highly favored, blessed and the Lord was with her.

Mary questioned God too – “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

But Mary did not doubt God.  Talk about not being equipped.  She knew exactly what she was hearing, that she was the virgin prophesied to bear she Son of God, the Messiah.

So she questions what she hears from God but she doesn’t let her current condition or circumstances cause her to doubt what she heard.  She was all in – “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  All-in for God to use her to fulfill his plan.

Application:

As we hear from God, how do we react?

While we may not see an angel face to face, if we are in the Word enough and talk with God through prayer and worship, he will speak to us.  When we hear from him, do we question and believe in his mercy, grace and promises, or question and doubt him?

Are we all-in for God to use us in fulfilling his plan, or will we doubt him and be shut up as Zechariah was, at least for a season?

Do we believe that we are just not equipped to be used by him as he directs us, or do we believe that by following his will, he will provide us the tools we need to serve him?

From experience I can say that there is no way I am equipped to be used as God has chosen to use me.  But as I do my best to listen and obey, he gives me just enough of what I need to help fulfill his plan and help build his kingdom.  The energy, the words, the money, the whatever I need, in order for him to continue using me.

God will fulfill his plan with or without me.  I want to be part of it. Use me Lord!

Prayer:

Lord I love you.  Thank you for the grace and mercy you have given me and continue to give me daily.  I don’t deserve it.   When you ask  “Whom shall I send?”, give me strength and courage to always respond with “Send me!”, knowing that you will equip me with the tools I need as I need them.  In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.

Journal Prov 31 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:    “An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.  The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain; she does him good and not harm all the days of her life.

Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.  She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  (Excerpts from Proverbs 31:10-12; 25-26; and 30)

Observation:   An excellent wife—our innate sinful heart has one definition that is in total conflict with the Heart of God.  Take note: God’s way is not the way of a Stepford wife.

Application:   Men and women mostly mess this up.  Reason?  Not thinking rightly when it comes to thinking Biblically and as a disciple who wants to live for Jesus.

Men go off the rails with the leadership thing: 1 Tim 3:4: “He must manage his own household well…”, 1 Peter 3:1 “Likewise wives be subject to your own husbands…”, and misapplying the “women are the weaker vessel” reference 1 Peter 3:7.  I have heard these justifications for years, used them myself, and now cringe in shame.

Women go off the rails with the “submission” thing: “Oh, no—I am no one’s slave”; “I am not a Stepford wife”.  “Wives, see to it that you respect your husband.”  Eph 5:33b—“If he does something deserving respect, then I will respect.  If not, well…”

In both cases the root issue is simple: Neither attitude reflects humility towards our Savior and the Gospel.  Both attitudes are exerting a desire to elevate and/or protect what is thought to be right, not from a biblical POV, but only feeding carnal desires—I want what I want.  Another way to look at it is both men and women want to be Boss; both want to design their own destiny.  And what is the result: Conflict and a shaming of the Cross and a confession that Jesus has changed me.

The Proverbs 31 woman is comfortable in her own skin.  Why?  Because of 3 things: 1) She has surrendered to the Cross of Christ, crucifying herself as Christ has called her to; 2) She trusts in Jesus who is calling her to a radical path of living (“Walk worthy of the Gospel”, “Walk worthy of the calling in which you have been called…”) Jesus says “I will neither leave you or forsake you.”  Huh, is this Believed?  3) Lastly, the P/31 woman sees Christ’s vision for her marriage and especially her contribution.  The marriage is a shadow or representation of the proper, biblical functioning of the Church.  Why?  So both will be a witness to the fallen world of the Supremacy of Jesus and His Word.

Men: Love your wife selflessly and sacrificially as Christ loves the Church.  Be patient, take the long view, and be persistent in reflecting Jesus every day.  Practice Grace and Forgiveness.  Study and talk wonderingly about the Gospel and its power.  Accountability is for another day—the Holy Spirit leads you and convicts the heart.  He does not pronounce condemnation on you anymore—neither practice that with your wife.  After all, that is what He does for you.

Women: Do not be afraid.  Submit yourself to Christ first, refuse fear.  Fear cultivates self-sufficiency which is opposed to being dependent on Jesus for your life.  Be more than conversant with the Gospel and what it is in you.  Be patient, take the long view, and be persistent in reflecting Jesus every day.  Practice Grace and Forgiveness.  Study and talk wonderingly about the Gospel and its power.

See the core?  It is the Power of the Gospel and the Supremacy of His Word.   Astounding!

Prayer:  Father, thank you for allowing me the grace to practice the above as a husband.  I fail much too often for my liking but I am seeing fruit.  Thank you for allowing me to focus on my contribution in faith, doing my best to obey your Word, not in fear but in confidence.  Hope I wrote all of this coherently and effectively by Your Spirit.  AMEN.

 

Proverbs 30:5-6 – Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Observation

Verses 5-6 of Proverbs 30 provide contrast to the earlier verses where Agur states he is lacking wisdom and strength.  All of God’s word is the truth and as the apostle Paul tells us is useful for teaching.  God is our defender and will shelter us under his wing when we seek protection.  God’s word is absolute and no one is to add nor take away from the truth in the word.  Misrepresenting God’s word is lying that will lead to correction.

Application

Apart from God and his word, I must realize that I also am lacking wisdom and strength.  God’s word is the truth.  When I seek God and draw near to Him, He will be my shelter from whatever I am facing.  I must be following God and come to Him for protection and not walking on my own, opposite from God.  This certainly applies to God’s word.  I can’t add to the word of God to make it more comfortable or to justify what I am doing.  If I edit the word, it may be more palatable or enjoyed by a greater audience but then it is just the word of man with an agenda.  In plain English, it would be called a lie that God would rebuke.   Ultimately, God knows how we carry and present His word to a world that desperately needs the gospel.  This is our mission to go and make disciples, baptize and teach people to observe the commands we have been given.

Prayer

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word.  Help me to seek you and share the unedited truth in your gospel with kindness and love.

Journal Prov 28 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:    Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (Pro 28:26)

Observation:     Staying with the subject of wisdom and foolishness…I wonder what this really means (snicker).    Does this have a hidden meaning or (gasp) it means what it says?

Application:     To adamantly clarify: No hidden meaning.

But, the statement above does have implication over all my efforts of being an obedient Christian.

Trust in my own noggin equals being a fool.  What, then, am I supposed to trust in?  Default to?  Does this mean every thought that in bouncing around between my ears is suspect?

Solomon says….yep.

Ok: back to reality.  It is important to be aware of this biblical truth.   However, I can’t freeze up in any respects concerning my daily life—the key is to replace the foolishness with wisdom.

Refer to what Paul said to the Roman church:  “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind—that by testing you may discern what is the will of God: what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Ro 12:2

So, both Solomon and Paul agree:  The mind has a fault (identified as Sin) in it that is untrustworthy.  Whatever is untrustworthy about the mind needs flushing out and replaced by wisdom.  The only wisdom worth using as a replacement for untrustworthy thoughts is wisdom originating from God—or, by extension, His Word.

Therefore the spiritual discipline of not just reading the Bible but studying it now makes sense and has validity.  If anyone was like me as a beginning Christian just reading eventually got old.  “Doing” took the place of learning for the obvious reason that doing stuff is more stimulating than learning stuff.   Worse, my “study” consisted of cherry picking Scriptures to use as arrows, effectively weaponizing the Word of God.  (My goodness: my face is in my hands when I consider what I have done…)

Ok, I have sort of summarized the background, what then do I do?  How do I go forward?  Simply put it is practice, practice, practice.

Sports analogy: How did I learn to throw a baseball?  I threw it over and over.  I didn’t get disappointed when I threw it badly—I threw it again.  I listened to coaches.  And I threw it again.  I got older, I got stronger, I got better.  I kept throwing.

It is the same with renewing my mind, focusing on specific characteristics of Christianity (Fruit of the Spirit sort of stuff).    Old proverb: “Repetition is the mother of knowledge.”  It works the same way with training to be a Disciple of Christ.   Don’t rely on an osmosis training program…

Prayer:   Father, I am wordy today.  I am supposing it is because I need to hear and read this over and over again, reminding myself of why I am Justified and why I pursue Sanctification and why these are separate subjects to study.  You see my heart in turmoil, my mind flirting with foolishness more and more and why my current situation is a result of compounded foolishness over the past few years.  Continue to reveal my faults that I may continue to confess them, ask forgiveness, and repent.  Help me to devise a course of action, rooted in Biblical wisdom, to pursue.  Thank you for my wife o so very much.  AMEN.

Scripture

vs 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
vs 7 like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
vs 10 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
vs 11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

vs 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
vs 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.

vs 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
vs 21 As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Observation

Solomon has many harsh words for the “fool” in this proverb.

So many descriptors that would be horrible to be characterized by:

“useless”, “wounds everyone”, “repeated folly”, “sluggard”, and “quarrelsome”

These are descriptions of an all-around terrible person.

It’s really a hard description to embrace because we are supposed to love everyone and have grace and see everyone as created in the image of God.

These, however, are not judgments of condemnation, but judgments of discernment.

Solomon is giving an honest evaluation of what circumstances come to pass when you involve yourself with a fool.

 

Application

I see the greatest warning here in these words … “lest you be like him yourself”.

I do not have control over anyone else.

I can not make a foolish person wise. Only God can do that.

I can’t force another person to embrace wisdom.

I can’t make another person useful, or peaceful, or productive.

So what do I have control over? … Myself.

I must utilize self-control to not become the fool. … And this is a fruit of the Spirit.

I can have all the knowledge and words of wisdom, but if it stays in my head or remains only words, it’s “useless”.

Worse than useless, actually, because I will be damaging to others around me.

When I act the fool, I will be like an archer shooting arrows randomly, rather than purposefully.

I may even have a lot of “movement” or “activity” … like a “dog”, a “door”, or a “fire”.

But each of these have foolish movement that are highly damaging.

This foolishness is: Bad Habits “a dog returning to vomit”, and Laziness “a sluggard tossing in bed”, and Gossip “kindling strife”.

The Fool engages in Bad Habits, Laziness, and Gossip and many suffer for it.

I can’t change this in anyone else.

But I can avoid it in others and choose differently for myself.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your Word and your warnings.

Help me to have self-control

Produce it in me, Holy Spirit

Help me to see foolishness in others and avoid it

Keep me from bad habits and laziness and gossip

May I learn from my mistakes

In Jesus name

Amen

Proverbs 25

Scripture: [16] If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.

Observation:

You can literally have too much of a good thing.  Like too much honey will cause you to vomit, too much of other things that taste good or feel good can cause adverse reactions.

Application:

Whether it be food, money, popularity, whatever..  The “good thing” can become something you chase after, get obsessed with, or over indulge in.  Even though you say it could never happen to you, this can become your new god a little at a time if you’re not aware of the possibility.

As good as it seems, too much attention to what seems to be a good thing, can cause you to loose focus on other important things in life – family, church, and most importantly, God.  Before we know it, your Lord and Savior is no longer the center of your life.  Your new god is.  This is where your thoughts are.  This is where your focus is.

You had a good thing, which turned into too much of a good thing, and you lost the good thing.  And.. your good thing caused you to loose focus on the best thing ever, Christ Jesus.  Let this not be your story.

Prayer:

Lord I pray this isn’t my story.  Thank You for giving me Your power to overcome temptations the enemy sets out for me – temptations to overindulge in the wonderful sights, tastes, sounds, feelings that You provide for me.  Lord help me stay focused on You and Your will for my life.  Amen.

 

Journal Prov 24 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:   “By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established.  By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is full of strength and a man of knowledge enhances his might for by wise guidance you can wage your war and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

(PS: Wisdom is too high for a fool…)” Prov 24:3-7a (the PS insert is mine)

Observation:    Goodness gracious: I guess it follows that the Wisest guy on earth pounds on the subject of Wisdom.

Application:   Distilling the definition of wisdom down to a base set of characteristics, I think a person could confidently say that wisdom is: Knowledge, experience, and good sense shaken up with a strong dose of discernment that ultimately is actionable; that is, a person can plainly see when wisdom is being employed.

My rule of thumb answer: I know wisdom when I see it, as well as I know foolishness when I see it.  Here’s a thought that just came to me: Wisdom is cultivated; foolishness will flourish where wisdom isn’t pursued, i.e., foolishness may be the default characteristic of Man due to Sin.  This will take some thought to flesh out but it kind of has a truthful ring to it.

How then can I cultivate wisdom?

The referenced scripture gives guidance:

1. Get understanding;
2. Get knowledge;
3. Getting guidance;
4. Abundance of counselors.

Earlier in Proverbs there is this to remember:  Fear God.

Fearing God brings understanding and insight.  From there wisdom begins to be established.

I have heard that “to fear” God is to have a “respect” but not to be afraid.  This is far from the biblical testimony—fearing God is just that.  Here is how I see it: I cannot approach God in my own skin—I would shake and quake and all sorts of things.  Seriously, look how folks reacted with angels.  I am going to do less than that with the God of all Creation?

So, if fearing God is the beginning of knowledge and the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom then it follows that the beginning of knowledge and wisdom is the fear of God, right?

Why then do I forget this?

I forget the Gospel as it applies to me as well.  Getting wisdom is a process, just like the 4 points written above.  Chasing down wisdom and all that is involved with wisdom is an everyday pursuit.

Prayer:   Dear Lord God, I am howling over my lack of effective wisdom in my current situation.  I remember that I primarily write these postings as a door into my own heart.  Help me to be transparent and candid with how I conduct my life before You.  I can do nothing outside of Your Grace.  Help me to draw in more, moment by moment.  AMEN

 

 

Scripture-

Proverbs 23:12, 17 – 12 Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.

17 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all day.

Observation-

We are to be open to instruction and apply it from the heart.  Listen to words of knowledge to gain wisdom not words from a fool.  Fear the Lord always so we won’t desire what is a temporary gain acquired through sin.

Application –

I must continue to listen not to things of this world but to words of knowledge.  I have to remain in the word daily and be open to teaching and instruction from fellow believers.  This will keep me accountable and not rely on my own ways.  Listening and receiving knowledge can lead to heart change and put forth into acts of service.  Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom that allows for instruction.  Verse 17 tells us to fear the Lord all day.  Therefore if I fear the Lord at all times and am listening to knowledge for instruction I am less likely to be envious of someone else’s temporal gain.  Whatever someone acquired deceitfully will fall through their hands and I need not be concerned with that but be focused on the Lord, His glory and expanding the Kingdom.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for your love, grace and mercy.  Let me listen to words of knowledge and be open to instruction.  May I fear you always and have my heart focused on your Kingdom and glory.

Scripture: Proverbs 21:30-31 “no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for battle but the victory belongs to the Lord”

Observations: At the end of the day God’s ultimate plan for His glory will happen. There is a clear sense of sovereignty over the words of this proverb. The most powerful and evil leaders of this day could not disrupt the victory that God is having on this earth and will ultimately have on this earth. There is a necessary readiness for battle that the writer is proclaiming in verse 31. One should train and prepare, but never put their trust in the training and preparation. Their trust is found solely in the power and authority of the Lord God.

Applications: If America is a house I think it’s pretty obvious what the elephant in the room is: Where is our country headed? Politics is playing a role in the society like never before and even the church has been effective by it. Let us stop for a moment and reminds ourselves that no politician, no president, can disrupt the the plan that the Lord almighty has for His ultimate good. Now, we are not to sit back, we are called to prepare for battle, we must train ourselves as the body of Christ to be used for His glory. But remember, the victory is Christ’s. Trust not only in His finished work on the cross but the continual work in your life. Remind yourself today that everything, the good and the bad, works out for the good of those who love Him. Hold tight to that promise!

Prayer: Lord thank you that the victory is yours. Thank you for allowing us to be on your side, to be called children of the King of Kings! We praise you and we ask you to give us strength to be used for your glory this week. Amen

Journal Prov 21 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture:   “A wicked man puts on a bold face but the upright gives thought to his ways.” Prov 21:29

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

Prov 21:5

Observation:    Wisdom concerning the speed of our society, yes?  This reflects culture that is contrary to our current worldview.

Application:    Speed, speed, and more speed.  “Faster”, it is said, “go faster.”

This is kind of neat when talking about cars, airplanes, and boats.  Also neat is the speed of computers and that kind of stuff.  The new Corvette was presented on Thursday and it looks cool and supposedly will perform with the top performance cars of today—no matter what the cost.

Baseball pitchers have increased pitch speeds from the low 90’s 5-6 years ago to today’s average of 98-101 miles per hour.  Incredible.

But what is the downside to “faster?”  If we give it any kind of objective thought one huge result is…decreased reaction time—the faster I go, the less time I have to react to do anything, good or bad.

I read verse 29 and I see a guy who is not taking time to think so that he can react promptly; putting on a bold face (faking the decision) without considering consequences and the Holy Spirit calls that wicked.  Verse 5 adds that hasty decisions results in poverty.

So let me review:  A bold face without thinking is wicked.  Hasty decisions result in poverty.

I have been in that position: putting on a bold face in a negotiation just to get my way.  Doesn’t matter what the “negotiation” was—it could have been digging my heels is on a certain subject.  What does matter is whatever I did I did without thinking, only reacting.

The old pop song “Slow down, you’re going too fast…” has strong biblical truth behind it.

Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is made ready for the day of battle…”   Do I want to react well in an ever faster environment?  Prepare first.  Look to being diligent and not hasty; upright and not wicked.   Don’t be afraid of slow; don’t let the exasperation of other folks intimidate.

Think first.

Prayer:   Lord, a wise man ponders his ways and submits action to You.  This is a cobbled up sort of proverb but has a speck of truth.  I don’t want to go off half-cocked at any time.  If I am continually preparing my heart with Your word, precepts, principles, doctrine; if understanding is my close friend then I will be adequately prepared for this time.  I realize that this drawing close in knowledge and understanding is a lifelong process.  Help me not to coast.  AMEN.

 

Scripture:

[4] The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Observation:

deep waters – no end to the quantity of words coming deep from the heart fountain – a natural spring bubbling brook – continuous, measured amounts, not all at once

Application:

Know that, while the words of a person pass through the mind and come out of the mouth, they are coming from deep within the heart.  The deep waters.  A place with no real end.  Not all of the words coming from every individual are life giving or wise.  Many words from some individuals, while they may sound wise, are self promoting or even destructive, so exercise good judgement as you listen or read.

A wise person will enlighten others by imparting knowledge through words from the deep waters of his heart, in measured amounts, in a way that flows and makes sense to his audience, and does not overwhelm.

Prayer:

Thank you for the wisdom imparted to me from your word and from listening and learning from the wise.  Let me always be open to the wisdom of others and alert me Lord when I am listening to a fool or someone who is simply building themself up.  Let my heart and mind never be so closed that I think I don’t need wise counsel.  In Jesus’ mighty name I pray this. Amen.