Proverbs 27:12 says "A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions". That's really what Proverbs is all about. God wanting us to have wisdom so that we can have eyes to see and do what's necessary to keep ourselves from evil.
I enjoy looking at model homes. I put it under the guise of "getting ideas" for my own house, but I can't say that I've used any of the ideas I've gathered. What I can say about looking at model homes is that it has the ability to provide discontentment to my heart. I become envious of what I don't have. My answer to not allowing this discontentment to invade my heart regarding my current residence is to first admit that I can become discontent with my home. My next step is to determine in my mind that I am completely content with what I have, that it is lovely and is a gift from God. But the best possible solution to avoid discontentment 100% is to not go and look at the model homes. Now, to some, that may sound drastic, but not so. Everyone knows their limits, whether they choose to abide by them or not. A recovering alcoholic stays away from liquor. A spend-a-holic cuts up their credit cards. A person who has lust of the eye deprives the eyes of what makes them lustful. The Bible says if your eye offends you, you should pluck it out, (Matthew 18:9; 5:29 and Mark 9:47). Of course, we may not literally pluck or gouge out our eyes, but we instead stop doing and stop enabling those things that cause us to stumble. We practice the new life, the forgiven life, the redeemed life. Why should we agonize over things that cause us death; over things that God has not determined we need or has provided for us?
Whatever obstacle or danger lurks in our path, the Bible tells us that by practicing wisdom, using the knowledge and understanding it brings, and then exercising restraint, we will keep ourselves from danger and more importantly, make our Savior glad!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
31 Day Challenge - Day 26
It's so difficult to bless your enemies, and yet God tells us to feed our hungry enemies, and give them water if they are thirsty. It says we will heap burning coals of shame on their heads and the Lord will reward us, (Prov. 25:21,22). What we're doing is letting God's hand of grace and mercy bless the situation and soften the hearts of those who mistreat us.
If we could see the outcome of this unconditional act of kindness before we practiced it, it would be so much easier, but that would defeat part of God's blessing/reward towards our obedience to His word. The more we let God work in us, the more we come to know Him. After all, this is not just to open the other persons eyes, but it's a beneficial exercise that gives us a closer view to the heart of God. What a testimony for us to be able to spread God's love to others and see His hand of work in the lives of numerous people because we obeyed His word. By taking us (our emotions, our selfishness, our greed) out of the equation, God is free to work in and to touch hearts. He doesn't really need our help, does He? Our enemies will not be able to strike back at us because we will be extending mercy and grace and not emotional or physical aggression. When we fight back, it keeps the fight going. When we let God, He becomes our defense - and He never loses!
So as we're living this month of thankfulness, I want to make a personal challenge to myself and anyone else who is interested to see this scripture come to life. I want to allow others to see the Jesus in me. I want to witness God's blessing as I yield my will to His and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me to bless to bless my enemies. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
If you have an example where this has already played out in your life, please recently share it in this blog. If you're interested in joining the challenge, let me know.
If we could see the outcome of this unconditional act of kindness before we practiced it, it would be so much easier, but that would defeat part of God's blessing/reward towards our obedience to His word. The more we let God work in us, the more we come to know Him. After all, this is not just to open the other persons eyes, but it's a beneficial exercise that gives us a closer view to the heart of God. What a testimony for us to be able to spread God's love to others and see His hand of work in the lives of numerous people because we obeyed His word. By taking us (our emotions, our selfishness, our greed) out of the equation, God is free to work in and to touch hearts. He doesn't really need our help, does He? Our enemies will not be able to strike back at us because we will be extending mercy and grace and not emotional or physical aggression. When we fight back, it keeps the fight going. When we let God, He becomes our defense - and He never loses!
So as we're living this month of thankfulness, I want to make a personal challenge to myself and anyone else who is interested to see this scripture come to life. I want to allow others to see the Jesus in me. I want to witness God's blessing as I yield my will to His and allow the Holy Spirit to work through me to bless to bless my enemies. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain!
If you have an example where this has already played out in your life, please recently share it in this blog. If you're interested in joining the challenge, let me know.
Monday, November 4, 2013
31 Day Challenge - Day 25
I wrote a short story in 1987 about a large house surrounded by woods. It was based on the homes I might see on my way home from work. They were massive, beautiful and had lots of space around them. About this time of year, autumn, you could see them clearly as the trees that surrounded them shed their leaves. My desire was to live in one of those homes, and if not, atleast to look inside. That was the focus of my story; peering inside.
At that time in 1987, the Lord gave me a vision of what the inside of these homes could look like, but on a spiritual level. He let me know that even if the outside of the house was gorgeous, what really mattered was what was on the inside of the home; where the people lived. When I read Proverbs 24:3-5, I remembered the story and the lesson God taught me from it. In the story, I peekked through the window and discovered that the house was pretty much empty and very much unkept. What I thought would be filled with expensive furniture and exquisite decor was dusty and desolate and needing much care. The curtains had moths and cobwebs hanging on them and what I thought was a once beautiful home no longer had an appeal. I wondered what people saw when they looked into my life. Did they find a blessed home or chaos and decay? It's easy to have a nice outward appearance, but how do we have a well kept home?
Proverbs 24:3-5 says, "A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger." It's not what people see on the outside of us, but what they encounter on the inside of us that matters most. We all have to determine what our house is built of and who the builder is. The homes in my story were worthless in their current state. They looked very attractive on the outside, but the inside had no value. That's not the house I want built; that's not the house I want to live in. I desire a house built with wisdom, and as the Proverbs says, by wisdom. A house erected by good sense and knowledge, which will make it a strong and secure home. That's how I want my home to be built, so that it is established through Christ from glory to glory, growing stronger and more secure every day!
At that time in 1987, the Lord gave me a vision of what the inside of these homes could look like, but on a spiritual level. He let me know that even if the outside of the house was gorgeous, what really mattered was what was on the inside of the home; where the people lived. When I read Proverbs 24:3-5, I remembered the story and the lesson God taught me from it. In the story, I peekked through the window and discovered that the house was pretty much empty and very much unkept. What I thought would be filled with expensive furniture and exquisite decor was dusty and desolate and needing much care. The curtains had moths and cobwebs hanging on them and what I thought was a once beautiful home no longer had an appeal. I wondered what people saw when they looked into my life. Did they find a blessed home or chaos and decay? It's easy to have a nice outward appearance, but how do we have a well kept home?
Proverbs 24:3-5 says, "A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger." It's not what people see on the outside of us, but what they encounter on the inside of us that matters most. We all have to determine what our house is built of and who the builder is. The homes in my story were worthless in their current state. They looked very attractive on the outside, but the inside had no value. That's not the house I want built; that's not the house I want to live in. I desire a house built with wisdom, and as the Proverbs says, by wisdom. A house erected by good sense and knowledge, which will make it a strong and secure home. That's how I want my home to be built, so that it is established through Christ from glory to glory, growing stronger and more secure every day!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
31 Day Challenge - Day 24
"Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don't raid the house where the godly live. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked", (Proverbs 24:15, 16). What a great promise! Not that we won't get knocked down, but He promises that we will get back up! The two verses prior, Proverbs 24:13, 14, show us we can look forward to God providing for our hopes and bright futures:
"My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honecomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short", (Proverbs 24:13, 14).
The word says we need to find wisdom. Where does wisdom hide? God's wisdom is in His word. Any commandment or instruction or direction from God contains His wisdom. We've seen that we can be wise in our own eyes, but that's using our wisdome, not God's. God's wisdom comes from him and there is no other source - it's all Him. Ok, so we read God's word and see his wisdom, is that the same as finding it? This word "find" means to come forth to; to attain; to appear; to exist; to meet or be present; to be able. It's not just setting your eyes on it, but attaining it, having it come forth to you; having it appear and exist, where it meets you and is then present with you. We've got to put wisdom on, clothe ourselves in it, if you will, in order to find it. Finding it allows it to be a part of us.
"If you need wisdom, ask our genorous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking", (James 1:5). Remember, God wants us to have wisdom. He has provided it so we can live a prosperous life. But He wants to make sure that our faith is in Him alone, and that we're not going to go back and forth, believing His word and then believing someone or something else. We need to abide by God's word day and night!
"My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honecomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short", (Proverbs 24:13, 14).
The word says we need to find wisdom. Where does wisdom hide? God's wisdom is in His word. Any commandment or instruction or direction from God contains His wisdom. We've seen that we can be wise in our own eyes, but that's using our wisdome, not God's. God's wisdom comes from him and there is no other source - it's all Him. Ok, so we read God's word and see his wisdom, is that the same as finding it? This word "find" means to come forth to; to attain; to appear; to exist; to meet or be present; to be able. It's not just setting your eyes on it, but attaining it, having it come forth to you; having it appear and exist, where it meets you and is then present with you. We've got to put wisdom on, clothe ourselves in it, if you will, in order to find it. Finding it allows it to be a part of us.
"If you need wisdom, ask our genorous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking", (James 1:5). Remember, God wants us to have wisdom. He has provided it so we can live a prosperous life. But He wants to make sure that our faith is in Him alone, and that we're not going to go back and forth, believing His word and then believing someone or something else. We need to abide by God's word day and night!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
31 Day Challenge - Day 23
"Don't envy sinners, but alway continue to fear the Lord. You will be rewarded for this, your hope will not be disappointed. My child, listen and be wise; keep your heart on the right course," (Proverbs 23:17 - 19).
It's difficult to not be envious of those that have more than we do, or those who do bad things but never seem to get caught or get in trouble or suffer. No, those are the folks that seem to prosper - why is it that way?
I remember when I was working back in the 80's, a supervisor, we'll call her Libby, was not well liked by her employees. One of those employees encouraged the others to give Libby a chance, but the six other employees weren't interested.
It was an especially stressful time for the loyal employee. She was almost eight months pregnant and she was determined to work up until the very last moment. Sometime at the end of this ladies seventh month she discovered that her supervisor, Libby, who had been married less than a year, was having an affair with her own manager, we'll call him Ted. The employee, who was a Christian, almost immediately began to be targeted by her supervisor with unreasonable requests and requirements, something that was not happening to the other employees. The attacks, false accusations and unreasonable requests increased and soon Libby put the employee on probation, even though the pregnant woman would be going out on maternity leave at the end of that week. What was the employee to do? Should she retaliate? After all, relationships with your superiors was frowned upon in the work place. Why is it that this supervisor and her manager got away with unprofessional behavior and inappropriate relationships? What should the employee's response be?
The employee didn't turn upper management in, but she did have to defend herself against the accusations. In the end, Libby was fired, the employee returned to her job after maternity leave and even received a promotion not long after. God was in control! God is in control! We just need to continue to follow after righteousness.
It's difficult to not be envious of those that have more than we do, or those who do bad things but never seem to get caught or get in trouble or suffer. No, those are the folks that seem to prosper - why is it that way?
I remember when I was working back in the 80's, a supervisor, we'll call her Libby, was not well liked by her employees. One of those employees encouraged the others to give Libby a chance, but the six other employees weren't interested.
It was an especially stressful time for the loyal employee. She was almost eight months pregnant and she was determined to work up until the very last moment. Sometime at the end of this ladies seventh month she discovered that her supervisor, Libby, who had been married less than a year, was having an affair with her own manager, we'll call him Ted. The employee, who was a Christian, almost immediately began to be targeted by her supervisor with unreasonable requests and requirements, something that was not happening to the other employees. The attacks, false accusations and unreasonable requests increased and soon Libby put the employee on probation, even though the pregnant woman would be going out on maternity leave at the end of that week. What was the employee to do? Should she retaliate? After all, relationships with your superiors was frowned upon in the work place. Why is it that this supervisor and her manager got away with unprofessional behavior and inappropriate relationships? What should the employee's response be?
The employee didn't turn upper management in, but she did have to defend herself against the accusations. In the end, Libby was fired, the employee returned to her job after maternity leave and even received a promotion not long after. God was in control! God is in control! We just need to continue to follow after righteousness.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
31 Day Challenge - Day 22
"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it",
(Proverbs 22:6). This is one of the most popular scriptures among Christian parents. Especially as our children reach their teen years, we like to quote this scripture as encouragement through trying times. The first focus is on us, that we are being obedient to the command of The Lord to bring our children up, or as the NLT says, direct them onto the right path. I appreciate that it does not say that if I direct them onto the correct path they will not depart, it says they will not depart when they are old. The implication to me is that the child has to do some growing, some maturing. They need to acquire understanding, and yes, that word, WISDOM. Isn't that interesting, that's exactly what happened in my life. I had to go through some trials and tribulations before I began to fear the Lord; before I received any wisdom. What a comfort to know that it's okay if children stray. It's not especially comfortable or enjoyable, but we do not need to feel the pressure of raising perfect children. Nor do we need to experience guilt when our children don't turn out as we want or desire them to. It allows them to be individuals, with individual lives, mistakes, challenges and personal testimonies. Their growing and learning is not about us - it's about them, and about their Maker maturing, making and molding them into His plan and purpose.
Oh, Lord, give me grace to raise my children, give me peace and love to let them be who they are, give me hope to trust who you've called them to be and give me wisdom to know that YOU have everything under control! I love you Lord!!
(Proverbs 22:6). This is one of the most popular scriptures among Christian parents. Especially as our children reach their teen years, we like to quote this scripture as encouragement through trying times. The first focus is on us, that we are being obedient to the command of The Lord to bring our children up, or as the NLT says, direct them onto the right path. I appreciate that it does not say that if I direct them onto the correct path they will not depart, it says they will not depart when they are old. The implication to me is that the child has to do some growing, some maturing. They need to acquire understanding, and yes, that word, WISDOM. Isn't that interesting, that's exactly what happened in my life. I had to go through some trials and tribulations before I began to fear the Lord; before I received any wisdom. What a comfort to know that it's okay if children stray. It's not especially comfortable or enjoyable, but we do not need to feel the pressure of raising perfect children. Nor do we need to experience guilt when our children don't turn out as we want or desire them to. It allows them to be individuals, with individual lives, mistakes, challenges and personal testimonies. Their growing and learning is not about us - it's about them, and about their Maker maturing, making and molding them into His plan and purpose.
Oh, Lord, give me grace to raise my children, give me peace and love to let them be who they are, give me hope to trust who you've called them to be and give me wisdom to know that YOU have everything under control! I love you Lord!!
31 Day Challenge - Day 21
It's difficult sometimes not to want people who do bad things to get in trouble. We see someone cheat and we want them to get caught. We see someone mistreat a person and we want to go and tell them about themselves. The culprit may not even think they've done something wrong, but what we forget is that God knows the heart and that's what He is concerned about, the heart (Proverbs 21:2).
There are moments when we're told by the Lord to give up something or to offer our best, and we give it up half heartedly or we offer someone our second best, but again God is looking at our heart, for "obedience is better than sacrafice", (I Sam 15:22), or said another way, "the Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just thn when we offer him sacrifices", (Prov. 21:3).
Life is full of lessons that must be learned and if we don't learn them the first time, we are doomed to repeat them. And yet the King of kings and The Lord of lords offers us wisdom freely so we can find life, righteousness and honor, we just need to pursue it, (21:21). When we pursue righteousness and wisdom, we find choosing the right thing to be a much easier way of living than choosing the wrong thing. It's finding peace and joy in Him and wondering why we didn't submit our life to Him sooner.
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