Be Wise!

In an earlier time of life I confused intelligence and knowledge with wisdom. I thought if I ‘knew enough’ it was enough. Hopefully; God, time, and experience has brought me greater wisdom! Knowledge is good, but wisdom gives us the ability to use knowledge, to discern what is best.  The Proverbs teach us "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." (Proverbs 4:6-8, NIV) 

It is possible to be the smartest person in the room and live as a fool. Intelligence is a gift. We do not get to choose how quickly our brain can process information. Our heritage, our early childhood development and nutrition, how our mother cared for us while we were still in her womb, all seem to be factors in our brain's but wisdom is gained, developed over time. Regardless of an IQ of 100 (average) or 150 (genius), we can live wisely.  

So how can we become wise?

We begin with the humble acknowledgement that we are not God!  The greatest fools are those who deceive themselves into thinking that they can be their own god, living without restraint. The Word says "Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” … The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God." (Psalm 14:1-2, NLT)  "The fear (awe/respect) of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)

Oh yes, there is a natural kind of ‘wisdom’ that can help us 'get ahead' of the pack, gain wealth, hold onto position, and exert our influence. It teaches us to put Self first, to paddle our own canoe, to build our own kingdom. But all that cleverness leds us to build only sand castles that will collapse under the wind and waves of time. The Spirit asks us to consider - "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" … but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:24, NIV)  The true wisdom of God is not temporary, nor is it set aside by the changing times.

God invites us to ask Him for wisdom!  "If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." (James 1:5, NLT) 

Hundreds of times in my lifetime I have come to the Lord with an open heart and prayed for insight and wisdom.  “Father, I feel like a child. The way ahead is hidden to my eyes. Lead me in Your wisdom.” He did and I know He will!  I still seek His wisdom, praying that His Kingdom will come in my life, His will be done in my world. Ask Him!

If you would be wise choose your companions, not by popularity or personal charisma, but by character. God says "Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20, NLT)  The loud laughter of those who live for today, who chase momentary pleasure, can tempt a person to join the party, but when the music stops, and the drinks are put away, what then? The steady discipline of those who desire wisdom will bring a life that is solid, rich in relationships, and without regret. 

The Psalmist says it well. "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. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 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." (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV)

Let’s pursue Wisdom, gaining the ability to discern, with insight that allows us to separate truth from error, mere image from reality. The wise know what is true food for the soul and what is just mental junk food. Want to live well? Then, learn to live wisely! It will make your life a thing of beauty!

Here is a word from the Word. "Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them." (Hosea 14:9-12, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Build My Life

(Let this worship song speak to you today)

 

Worthy of ev’ry song we could ever sing

Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring

Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

 

Jesus the name above ev’ry other name

Jesus the only one who could ever save

Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

We live for You

 

Holy there is no one like You

There is none besides You

Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

 

I will build my life upon Your love

It is a firm foundation

I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken

 

Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Elizabeth Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett

© 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew (Admin. by Arkyard Music Services Limited)

Kaple Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)

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Belonging to the truth

 

Being deceived or scammed is as old as time. Every year thousands of people loose large sums of money to schemes of those who steal through deception. We are almost to the end of an election cycle and I will be so glad to see those commercials that take fragments of truth and weave them into a manipulative message. “Messaging” is a code word for learning how to take half-truths and even outright lies and make them persuasive. I heard one leading politician bemoaning the lack of ability in his party’s leadership to get their ‘message’ together.   

Ah, the ‘truth.’ It can be hard to find in this chaotic world. But, if we are ready to learn and grow, if we are humble enough to admit we do not know it all, the truth will emerge, owning us, guiding us, and enriching our daily life.

Are you a person who knows and lives in the Truth?   I am so thankful for the science that helps us understand our world.  Knowing about bacteria and viruses as a cause of disease has remarkably changed the quality of our lives. Antibodies that keep virulent ‘bugs’ from killing us are a wonderful discovery. When I told “Alexa” to turn on my lights this morning and asked that device to give me the weather forecast for the day, I was thankful for technology that makes me more comfortable.  While science is able to explain the physical world and the knowledge gained is valuable for improving our lives, there is more.

Science cannot explain why we exist. It cannot provide us with purpose or meaning nor can it give us ultimate hope. Those issues require the revelation of Truth which comes to us through the Word and Spirit of God. "As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them." (Psalm 119:130, NLT) "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil." (Psalm 119:133, NLT)

If we would live the richest kind of life, we will pursue the Truth that is found in God.

It is no accident that the revelation of Himself starts with this line -  "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1.1) Eugene Peterson wrote these words of profound insight: "First, God. God is the subject of life. God is foundational for living. If we don’t have a sense of the primacy of God, we will never get it right, get life right, get our lives right. Not God at the margins; not God as an option; not God on the weekends. God at center and circumference; God first and last; God, God, God."  We exist for more than making money, creating a family, or gaining some measure of success.  God made us to know Him, to become creatures of His glory, and to live eternally in His house!  If that is our first truth, we are positioned to grow into spiritual maturity.

Rejecting God, refusing the truth of Scripture, turning away the whisper of the Spirit, will keep a person living in the dark, a place of confusion and chaos.  

 Paul’s word confront us, asking us to look up. "God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That’s why those people don’t have any excuse. They know about God, but they don’t honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark. They claim to be wise, but they are fools." (Romans 1:20-22, CEV) The Psalmist said "The fool says in his heart, "there is no God!" (14.1)  He is accepted by faith through Christ Jesus. You need not be a theologian to know Him.  An open heart and a mind prepared for submission to His will, can invites Him in and He will ‘live in us.’

Christ is the Full Revelation of God! John tells us that  "The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us." (John 1:14, CEV)  Do you trust Him, friend? Will you give Him first place in your life? When He corrects will you respond with obedience? When He gives light and love to you, will you respond with worship and praise?   

Philip, one of His disciples, asked Him to reveal God to them. Jesus answered him this way. “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work." (John 14:9-10, NIV)  Invite Him, my friend, to show you what cannot be seen with natural eyes or discerned in a laboratory.  In Him, you will find life’s Truth.

The word from the Word for today is both challenging and comforting. Receive the Truth. "(People) perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:10-15, NIV)

Lord, show us the Way, lead us to Light and Life, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Be Thou My Vision

(A beautiful, heart-felt prayer. Pray along with this song.)

Be Thou my vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought
By day or by night
Waking or sleeping
Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom
Be Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee
And Thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father
I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling
And I with Thee one

 High King of heaven
When vict'ry is won
May I reach heaven's joys
O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart
Whatever befall
Still be my vision
O Ruler of all

 

Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne

© Words: Public Domain

Help me, I’m sinking!

 

Have you ever started a project, a new job, took on a challenge only to experience real doubts about your ability to finish it? In 1977, Bev and I believed that God was giving us a new assignment for ministry in a town 2,000 miles away from home. Full of dreams and faith, but mostly penniless, we prepared for the move. In spite of some people telling us that we were crazy (yes, they did!) we were excited, anticipating God’s blessings.

On the day we started our move, we had not gone more than 40 miles on the road when I was overwhelmed with fear.  “What have I done? Why did I do this? It’s going to be a disaster!”  I admit that I wept as I drove.  My beloved wife, just 23 years old at the time, reached out to put her hand on my hand and prayed for us, asking the Spirit to renew our faith and joy, to refocus her fearful husband on the dream.  And, the next year proved to one of the most interesting times of spiritual growth for us.

Here is one thing I know for certain – IF you decide to live in faith, to step out of the mainstream of life, you will be told that you are “ too young, too old, too dumb, too poor, too smart...” to follow your heart’s calling!  The moment we let the nay-sayers and doubters take up space in our head, we will retreat, fear will grow. Unless we focus on God’s possibilities and receive His gift of faith, we will put His call and our vision on the shelf and go home to our recliners to watch TV alone night after night: safe but dead while we still live.

 This story from the Gospel of Matthew is one of my go-to’s, giving me much inspiration over the years.  The disciples had a great day with Jesus and saw an amazing miracle. One boy’s lunch was multiplied to feed 5000 people!  This is how Matthew tells about what happened next. "Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33, NIV)

Have you ever walked on water or are you one of those people who stays put in the boat where it's safe? People who always play it safe do not make much of an impact.  Why? Because risk is an integral part of success!  Those unwilling to fail cannot succeed.

Let’s be clear. That faith story of Peter’s adventure on the Sea of Galilee isn't a story about a daredevil who spit in the face of fate, who threw all caution to the wind, or who had a secret death wish. It's about a man who wanted to know His Lord and whose passion for Jesus drove him to total obedience. Peter asked Jesus to call him and when the Lord did, Peter responded -- against all good sense -- by getting out of the boat. He walked on the water until he focused on the impossibility of his situation and only then  he failed... or did he? Yes, he started to sink, but Jesus took his hand and refocused his faith. That stormy night provided a lesson of faith that Peter never forgot for the rest of his life.

Are waves kicking up around your little lifeboat today?

Are your kids rebelling?

Is your marriage strained?

Is some sin pulling hard on you, so much that the temptation is nearly overwhelming?

Have past financial decisions created a situation you can’t control? 

Are you afraid of aging, the future, the government? 

Truthfully, we all have problems that rock our boat. That's life!  Jesus walks with us. He's passing by, and He’s inviting us to walk on the waves! Will you accept the challenge to grow a bigger, deeper faith?  When you hear His voice, get out of the boat.  Oh, yes, be careful about getting so impressed with yourself that you start to show off.   The moment you take your eyes off of Him, you’ll suffer a Peter moment;  you’re sunk!

And, if you fail, adopt the attitude of Jonas Salk, the person who saved millions from polio when he developed the polio vaccine. He failed hundreds of times before he got it right. Somebody asked Mr. Salk, "How did it feel to fail 200 times?" Salk said, "I never failed 200 times for I was taught not to use the word, 'failure.' I discovered 200 ways not to vaccinate for polio!"

Your greatest failure won't be if you happen to sink in the waves,
it will be IF YOU NEVER GET OUT OF THE BOAT!

Here’s the word from the Word.  Pray for new faith, for hope, for courage today as you receive the promise of ‘immeasurably more.’

 "Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more (NLT)  (immeasurably more (NIV), exceedingly abundantly (KJV), than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, NLT)   Now how about walking on the water today with Jesus?

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Lord I Need You

Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

 

Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

 

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

 

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

 

Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

 

Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher

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EOTWAWKI? (Translation? See last line!)

 

The election hype, the dire warnings are issued by both sides promising that our country is doomed if the other guy is elected. Are there differences between the Republicans and the Democrats? Sure there are, more than ever, with our very divided nation. Will the election of one party or the other have a real and lasting affect on our lives?  Yes, I believe that is true. Public policies will change as a result of legislation.  National security, even world history, will be directed by leaders. Our schools and roads will reflect the policies of those we put ‘in charge.’  So, this blog is not meant to minimize the importance of participating in our election privilege, but rather to set the whole things within the context of God’s reign and truth.

God says - "I am in charge of history!"  Stretch of faith for you?  Sometimes for me, too.  So let’s consider Daniel. This man was carried from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon where he was put in the service of a pagan emperor. It must have been hard for Daniel to reconcile the truth that God was revealing to him concerning His control of human events and the fact that his homeland was in ruins and that young Jews like himself were in captives in a foreign land. Yet, he stayed faithful to the revelation. Daniel, despite tragedy, remained God's man. As a result he was amazingly effective as God's spokesman in that God-less culture.

One time, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his counselors tell him what he had dreamed and the meaning of his dream. Impossible? Sure it was. But, Daniel went to prayer, received the revelation, and went to tell the king what God was saying to him. God showed Daniel that He was still in charge. Remember that dream? It was a large statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. It represented the kingdoms of men. The key part of the dream was the Stone that was cut out, not with human hands, that smashed the statue. The meaning? All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when the King of Kings sets up His reign.

Later in the king's life, he had another terrifying dream. He saw a great tree in the center of the earth. It was cut down by a heavenly messenger, but the stump was left. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that it was a message that he was about to be cut down because of his arrogance. "They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules." (Daniel 4:25-26, NKJV)

God rules! For the Christian, that is a word giving great comfort. The Scripture consistently calls us to be responsible, proactive, and engaged all the while reminding us that we are not in charge and that we need not be afraid. Though we are aliens in this world, passing through on our way to our home, the Spirit is with us and God is guiding us.

Disciple, I want to urge you to trust that revelation today. Steady yourself in faith in God, that He is capable of keeping you in the palm of His hand, no matter what happens to our economy, no matter who controls the Congress after next Tuesday, and no matter who sits in the White House. God has not left us to ourselves. Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that thinks as He thinks as the Spirit gives revelation. In this election year when there is so much anxiety about the future of this country... remember the Truth!

"Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down." (Daniel 2:20-21, The Message) He has charged us with responsibility to pray for His will to be done, and then we will obey Him and live with heart-deep faith and rock-solid assurance.

I hope you will go to the polls, exercising that privilege of democracy. I urge you to pray, as the Word directs.  The word from the Word today says "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NIV)  Peace will own your heart and mind, God’s wisdom guiding, and the world will be richer.

Oh, yes:

EOTWAWKI means- End Of The World As We Know It

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Battle Belongs

When all I see is the battle
You see my victory
When all I see is a mountain
You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow
Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now
For I am safe with You

So when I fight I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
O God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
O God the battle belongs to You

And if You are for me
Who can be against me
For Jesus there's nothing
Impossible for You

When all I see are the ashes
You see the beauty
When all I see is a cross
God You see the empty tomb
(An) Almighty Fortress You go before us
Nothing can stand against

The power of our God
You shine in the shadows
You win every battle
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God

O God the battle belongs to You

Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham
© Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
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