Knowing God - He Positions Us

Ps 46:5

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Here we learn that the promised presence of God results in promised positioning.  The Lord was in the midst of His people in the Old Testament and the Lord is in the midst of His people now.  At one time the Lord dwelt in the tabernacle and then the temple.  Now He dwells within those who are His adopted children by His Holy Spirit. Because He is in the midst of us, we shall not be moved.  We shall not be displaced or uprooted.  God will help us and He will help us early; early in the trials, early in our battles and early in our weariness.  It is His very promise of His presence that assures us of our positioning and His promised assistance.  We must remember that when Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us, it was not a conditional promise.   It was a promise of His presence.  Do you realize that if you are in Christ, Christ is in you?  Do you realize that if you feel lost, He knows where you are?  Do you realize that if you are disoriented, He has your position?  God is in the midst of you dear saint.  You shall not be moved.  He will help you speedily!

Proverbs - Prudence and Seeking

Proverbs 18:15

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

If we are to be the prudent women that the Lord is making us into, we must get and seek.  Women are good at getting and seeking.  Sometimes we want to get that new outfit or seek for the best deal.  The Lord has definitely put into us some sort of inner desire to go after things.  The problem is what sort of things are we going after?  We need to get knowledge and we need to seek knowledge.  We must humble ourselves and realize that the knowledge we already have is not enough.  There are situations in our lives where we find ourselves a bit ill quipped to respond and decide on the course that the Lord would want us to take.  We mustn’t get frustrated.  We must position ourselves like we would to go shopping.  If we needed a new outfit, we would not necessarily dread it, but go out there looking for the right price, right look and go home happy to have something fresh and new to wear.  If we need knowledge about something we must look to His Word, godly counsel, pastoral teaching and prayer as the ‘stores’ where we would not just take the first thing off the rack but try things on trusting we will find the perfect fit.  Lord, help us not be panicked when we lack knowledge but know that you lay up sound wisdom for the righteous.  If we seek we will find.

Knowing God - He Uses Shame

Ps 83:16

Fill their faces with shame;

that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

This is a prayer that the psalmist is praying about his enemies.  We get a glimpse of the heart that the Lord has for His enemies.  The shame that is desired is shame that produces a seeking.  The Lord will use shame in people’s lives to bring them to a place where regrets lead to repentance, embarrassment leads to embracing and consequences lead to commitment.  The shame that the Lord allows is good for us.  It speaks of a conscience touched by a holy God and when we begin to sense shame we begin to sense surrender.  Shame can be our friend when it produces this sort of looking up and purposed pursuit of God.  Whether it is our enemies or we ourselves, may the shame associated with evil actions produce the response of seeking God and His ways.  Oh Lord, it is You that mankind needs and no matter how evil others have been to us or we, towards you, let shame work a work of humility and dependence upon You. 

                                          

Proverbs - A Wounded Spirit

Proverbs 18:14

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

but a wounded spirit who can bear?

When someone is wounded deep within they are not always the easiest to be around.  This wounded of spirit is where the actual courage to go on and live has been deflated and all relationships become affected by the one wound.  Some of us have been there and some of us have known those in such a place.

We must guard our spirits when we are wounded so that we have the strength to make it through the healing process.  We need strength to bring our injured souls before the Word of God and be able to discern what sort of greater good the Lord is seeking to accomplish with us.  We cannot be women who cooperate with the wound allowing it to be infected and penetrate deeper than it has to.

Our spirit must stay in constant fellowship with our God who loves us and not allow the sins of others to contaminate our abiding place in the love that God has for us.  Their sin has no bearing on God’s love and favor towards us.  From the beginning the devil has sought to interrupt the fellowship man has with his God.  In the Garden of Eden, we see Satan so jealous of the ongoing fellowship man has with God that he deceives Eve and we find Adam and Eve hiding from God.  Our spirit will sustain our infirmity and our spirit must not be unnecessarily wounded and hidden from the mercies of our God.

Approach the Lord with your pain and don’t hide from Him.  Don’t allow the most certain wounds you will face to penetrate to this point.  We need to be before Him and in Him while we are wounded.  This will allow us to continue enjoying our relationships with God, our children, our husbands and others not matter what sort of wounding we have faced.  If our spirit gets wounded, we will be very difficult to be around.  Feed your spirit, fellowship with the Lord in your spirit and speak the truth to your inner man.  Our inner man is of great value to the Lord and as we are meek and gentle within, He will heal our wounds. 

Knowing God - He Leads to a Dwelling Place

Ps 107:7

 And he led them forth by the right way,

 that they might go to a city of habitation.

The Lord Leads to a Dwelling Place

The people of God were wandering and they knew it.  They traveled in a way that seemed to have no end, but the Lord was leading them in the right way.  There is always a wrong way and a right way.  The Lord leads us in the right way so that we can end up in an organized place where we can dwell and stay.  If you sense restlessness in an area of your life, the Lord may be leading you away from some sort of pattern that He no longer wants you to dwell in.  He has a place He is taking you to and wants you to trust His leading.  You may not know where that is, but He does.  Follow Him.  He has picked out a place for you that you can settle down in and enjoy.  Be open to move.  Be prepared for the journey and be confident that the place He has for you is safe and inhabitable.

Proverbs - Listen

Proverbs 18:13

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Answering a matter means giving a response or decision.  It is coming to a conclusion or saying something based solely on what has been heard up to that point.  As women who desire to be wise, this is not to be our way of handling matters.  Hearing a matter involves a few things;

1.  Mulling over all we have heard already before the Lord.

            This would involve bringing what has been said and done before the Lord in prayer.  He might show us some sort of missing piece of information or perhaps give us discernment of an exaggerated or minimized statement.

2.  Considering all that surrounds a given situation before the Lord.

            This is the part of considering all that plays into a matter.  This could involve the time of day, where someone is in the Lord, what sort of physical factors are at work, cultural influences, age, maturity and other elements. Also, body position, eye movements and subtle physical responses might be revealing pain, hurt, deception or bitterness.

3.  Asking questions before coming to any sort of conclusion.

            A good listener asks for information.  These questions may go deeper than the facts and go towards motivation and intentions.  These questions are not necessarily stacked in a way to support the conclusion we might be leaning towards but asked with an honest heart to understand and get all of the information needed in order to make a decision that pleases the Lord rooted in truth.

Let us be those women who hear with more than our ears and refrain our lips from speaking the assessment we often can come to quickly and hastily.  Then, we will be wise women speaking those things that are based on more than the first information we receive.

Knowing God - The Lord Affirms

Jer 1:12

“The Lord said to me, "You have seen correctly,…..”

                                                           NIV

Jeremiah was asked by the Lord here to state what he saw.  When Jeremiah saw what was really there, the Lord affirmed his perspective and told him he had answered correctly.  The Lord wants to show us all kinds of things and understands that we, sometimes, have to focus in and find out from Him if we are seeing what He wants us to see.  Jeremiah and the Lord were having a conversation and the Lord questioned Jeremiah about what he saw.  The Lord will question us and ask us if we see what He is trying to show us.  He will then let us know if we are seeing correctly.  What a wonderful teacher we have.  He wants us to see truth and will be sure to affirm us when we do.  Don’t think the Lord wants to always tell you when you are wrong.  He loves to tell you when you are right as well.  Be open to this from Him that your relationship with Him might be the safe and encouraging one He desires it to be!

Proverbs - Humility and Arrogance

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

                                                                                        

Humility and arrogance are found in our hearts.  Our hearts are not to be lifted up.  Our hearts need to be bowed down.  We are in a place of constant dependence upon the Lord.  Our own understanding is never to be leaned on and the wisdom of the Lord can be heard only by the ear that is bowed ready to receive.  So many times we destroy the moment by having hearts that are haughty.  We take on a sort of cause that we have esteemed worthy of our passion and striving.  Oh that we would be women who are seeking to please the Lord and see His purposes come to pass in our homes and lives!  We must approach our moments with a sense of need.  We must approach potential conflict with a quietness of heart seeking to align ourselves with His purposes in that moment.  How dare we push upon those around us the outcome we deem to be the best!  Have we not learned yet that His ways are higher than our ways?  Have we not taken the time to look back and see that oftentimes we were unaware of what He was working in and through different uncomfortable situations?  Shouldn’t we calm ourselves down, lower our expectations of how we think things should go and quietly submit ourselves to His mind on the matter?  Ladies, to make it easier for your children to honor you, seek to be humble in heart.  Don’t be so quick to speak and even when your authority is exercised do it in a quiet yet firm manner. 

“Strength and  honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”  (Prov 31:25-26)

Let us be clothed with humility, clothed with honor, and see that our relationships are being built and we are not haughty women destroying our homes with our own hands.

Knowing God - The Lord Protects

Ps 57:1

“… yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”

KJV

The Lord reveals Himself in the picture of a mother hen here.  He connects to His servant as one who wants to identify Himself as a place to hide in until calamities have passed over.  When my husband was in the Philippines one time a heavy, tropical downpour hit the house where he was staying.  On the grounds were baby chicks and their mama.  He saw the mama hen go around with her wings open scooping and covering her little chicks into a safe, warm, down-filled area close to her heart and away from the torrential waters.  Our God knows that calamities come and oftentimes they must.  He wants us to make Him our refuge during the times of calamity and downpours.  He isn't just a mighty fortress from deadly arrows, but a tender God who wants us to feel safe, loved and dry.  Draw near and sense His heart for you.

Proverbs - Don't Trust in Wealth

Proverbs 18:11

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

When someone is used to having the resources to solve life’s problems, they could accidentally begin to trust in those resources rather than the One who gave them to him.  When someone has a security system in their home they might begin to rest peacefully trusting in the technology that keeps unwanted guests out rather than the One who allowed them the privilege of having such protection.  We see in Job’s life, that in a moment, that which we enjoy can be taken away.  The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.  If you or I find ourselves being provided for or protected today we must lift up our eyes and worship the One who is behind it all.  He is our strong city, He is our shield.  Throughout the day today, it would be healthy for us to thank and praise Him for all that we consider protection or provision.  When we take that sip of coffee, when we put on our seat belt, when we lock the front door, let us thank the Lord for His presence, provision and protection.

Knowing God - The Lord Show us Things

2 Kings 22:8

And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

King Josiah had Hilkiah count all of the money that had been collected in the temple for its maintenance and then begin to delegate its repair and refurbishing.  As Hilkiah was in the temple noticing what repairs were needed, he found the book of the law – God’s Word.  God’s Word was lost in the day to day operation of the temple and even in a most noble attempt at bringing the temple up to code, the Word of God was lost.  Hilkiah found the book of the law.  Who do you think led Hilkiah to find that book?  Hilkiah found carpenters and masons, money and tasks, but the Lord knew that the real building project was going to be directed by the Lord and not Hilkiah.  As we are given charge over things, even spiritual things, let us not leave the book of law lost among all of the other things.  The Lord will show us time to sit in His presence and receive direction from His Word for His work.  Because the Lord preserved His Word and led Hilkiah to find it, an entire nation was reconstructed rather than just the temple building itself.   Have you lost His Word among all the ‘things’ in your service to Him?  He will show you how to find this treasure again.

Proverbs - The Name of the Lord

Proverbs 18:10

                                                                                                          

The name of the Lord is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

This promise is so strengthening for us.  The name of the Lord is a strong tower.  How wonderful.  His name is like a fortress.  His name is like the highest part of the fortress.  His name is a place we can actually run into and be safe.  The key for the safety is our choice to run into His name and take refuge there.  His name is always this strong tower but oftentimes we stand next to it or see it in the distance and don’t run into it.  The Lord tells us we must run into His name – not walk into it, or stroll accidentally into it, but run into it.  How do we run into the name of the Lord?

Well, first we must know His names in order to run into them.  The scriptures give us many names of God.  We know He is the Prince of Peace, the Great Shepherd, the Lord of hosts and the Bread of Life.  We see Him declared as the Almighty One, the Everlasting Father and the Author and Finisher of our faith.  There is a name we can hide in for protection and a vantage point no matter what sort of enemy onslaught is facing us.  Are you familiar with His names?  Do you know where the entrance to that strong tower is?  It might be helpful to start a journal page with His names and start your time of worship declaring who He is.  Here is a list of some of the Old Testament names of God.  You can use these ‘towers’ at any time to run into and be safe.

  Elohim (God)

if  you are running from a sense of not having any sort of final authority

  Jehovah/Yahweh (the self-existent one: I AM)

If you are overwhelmed with the present situation

 Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will provide)

If you are in a place lacking financial provision or help

 Jehovah-rapha (the Lord who heals)

If you or someone you know is wounded or ill spiritually, emotionally or physically

 Jehovah-nissi (the Lord our banner)

If you need to be delivered from a place of defeat and sense the victory you have in Christ

Jehovah-Shalom (the Lord our peace)

If you are troubled or anxious about anything

 Jehovah-ra-ah (the Lord my shepherd)

If you need to be found, lost your way or intimidated by predators

Jehovah-tsidkenu (the Lord our righteousness)

If you are feeling condemned or have fallen short or feel unqualified for what He has asked you to do

Jehovah-shammad (the Lord is present)

If you have been forsaken or feel like God is not with you

Jehovah-Elohim (the Lord God)

If you sense other forces trying to impose their authority and influence over a situation

Jehovah Sabaoth (the Lord of hosts)

If you sense a spiritual battle that is apparent and powerful

El Elyon (the most high God)

If you sense idolatry in your life or someone else’s life that is robbing God of His place of supremacy

Adonai (our master)

If you need direction and orders for your life

El Shaddai (Almighty God, the strength giver)

If you feel weak and need strength

El Olam (everlasting God)

If you are facing changes or others’ choices are impacting your stability 

Knowing God - He Gives Us His Fellowship

Jer 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces:

 for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

He Gives Us His Fellowship

Jeremiah was going to be sent to speak a message from the Lord.  He was to go where the Lord sent him and say what the Lord wanted him to say.  The Lord was preparing Jeremiah for the fact that the people were not going to receive these words and that the expressions on their faces could very well leave him in fear.  These faces would be angry and volatile.  These faces would appear to Jeremiah as faces of those ready to lash out and take vengeance on the messenger of God.  The Lord reassured Jeremiah with the promise of His presence.  He was letting him know that the fact that He was with Jeremiah to deliver him should calm the natural fear that would come went confronted with resistance and opposition.  Sometimes when we are doing what the Lord wants us to do and saying what the Lord wants us to say, we are surprised and perhaps a bit shaken by the lack of receptivity and flow that results from our obedience.  This is not to be the determination of whether we are doing or saying what the Lord has asked us to do.  As we speak or do things out of obedience to His leading, remember that He is with us at that moment so that the fear of man will be overcome by the fellowship we have with God.

Proverbs - Hard Work

Proverbs 18:9

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Most of what makes this world run in the day to day happenings involves labor.  That’s right – work.  We, as women must be sensitive to our example to our family.  We must be hard workers.  Whether at work, home or in ministry, we cannot be slothful.  Something will end up being wasted.  Have you ever seen perfectly good food having to be thrown out because it was left out unattended and it reached an unsafe temperature for consumption?  That is so sad.  The potato salad could have been eaten for another meal or brought to a friend’s gathering.  Instead it gets tossed.  The Lord is telling us that when we do our work in a lazy way we actually are wasting something.  Sometimes we do a half-hearted job and end up doing it again.  We wasted the time we first did it in.  Other times we procrastinate and end up having to do something when we could have enjoyed some other opportunity.  We might have wasted that opportunity.  When we should do the dishes and we procrastinate we might end up having to stay up too late and we waste the sleep we need to wake up ready to live for our God.  Oh Lord, show us when we are being slothful in our work.  We don’t want to waste anything You have for us!

Proverbs - Repeating Stories

Proverbs 18:8

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

This title ‘talebearer’ is a good warning for all of us in our conversations.  This is a compound word which means to bear a tale- to carry a story from one place to another.  The scriptures sometimes refer to this as repeating a matter.  When we are in a conversation our decision to tell someone something that has happened should be brought before the Lord before we begin such a course.  We will sense our Shepherd’s leading on this and know if He has permitted it or whether He is trying to shut the doors on our lips.  When we sense this apparent lack of peace or discomfort in what we were going to say we need to redirect our words and leave the story behind. You see, what we may consider an innocent recount of a matter may have elements within it that could very well stir up or provoke the other person. There are trigger points, memories, sinful choices and struggles in the hearts with whom we fellowship.  We could actually wound someone deep down in their innermost person without realizing it.  If we didn’t know someone was allergic to onions and then served them, we could create a horrible experience for that person although our heart was right and our labor was in love.  People have histories and we may serve them some information that could really be used by the enemy to kill, steal and destroy.  Be cautious, dear sister.  Don’t be so quick to speak nor share all you know.  Listen to His leading and if you sense the Lord trying to stop you, yield and trust He knows best.

lilly

Proverbs - Telling Stories

Proverbs 18:8

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

This title ‘talebearer’ is a good warning for all of us in our conversations.  This is a compound word which means to bear a tale- to carry a story from one place to another.  The scriptures sometimes refer to this as repeating a matter.  When we are in a conversation our decision to tell someone something that has happened should be brought before the Lord before we begin such a course.  We will sense our Shepherd’s leading on this and know if He has permitted it or whether He is trying to shut the doors on our lips.  When we sense this apparent lack of peace or discomfort in what we were going to say we need to redirect our words and leave the story behind. You see, what we may consider an innocent recount of a matter may have elements within it that could very well stir up or provoke the other person. There are trigger points, memories, sinful choices and struggles in the hearts with whom we fellowship.  We could actually wound someone deep down in their innermost person without realizing it.  If we didn’t know someone was allergic to onions and then served them, we could create a horrible experience for that person although our heart was right and our labor was in love.  People have histories and we may serve them some information that could really be used by the enemy to kill, steal and destroy.  Be cautious, dear sister.  Don’t be so quick to speak nor share all you know.  Listen to His leading and if you sense the Lord trying to sop you, yield and trust He knows best. 

Knowing God - He Destroys

Jer 1:10

….to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

This is what the Lord wanted Jeremiah to do in the position He set him in.  Most people think of the Lord building and planting but might have a bit of a harder time being convinced that the Lord wants things rooted out, pulled down, destroyed and thrown down.  The stark truth is – He does.  How do we know that?  Because He has revealed in His Word that this is to be done.  One time King Josiah started building and repairing the altars and temple of the Lord.   As he began to do so, the book of the Law was found and Josiah realized that there were false images in the temple and altars to idols throughout the kingdom.  He had to stop building and repairing and get to tearing down and destroying.  Our God knows that major restoration in our lives requires some demolition and uprooting.  If you see this happening in your life, don’t think it is the enemy.  Embrace the Lord’s reconstruction tactics and believe that after all the pulling down there will come a time of building and planting.

Knowing God - The Lord Positions for Purposes

Jer 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down,and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

The Lord Positions For Purposes

The Lord is speaking to Jeremiah about His purposes for Jeremiah’s life.  The Lord begins by pointing out that the Lord has set Jeremiah in a position of influence.  Jeremiah did not seek this or put himself there.  The Lord did.  The Lord set him over all these nations and kingdoms.  He set him there for reasons.  These reasons are given to Jeremiah after the Lord declares his position.  One of the best ways we can discover what the Lord wants to do through us is to realize where He has put us.  He generally places us in a position in order to carry out His purposes.  What positions do you find yourself in today?  Perhaps you could take some time today and jot these down.  This might help you better discover the details of your job description at this point in your life.  The Lord is faithful to put us in the places in which He has works for us to do. 

Proverbs - Fools' Lips

Proverbs 18:6-7

A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

                                              

Sometimes our children can be foolish. The Lord tells us that “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” ( Prov 22:15)  When our children speak in a way that begs to argue or contend with authority, there should be consequences and instruction.  If we don’t correct these things, we will contribute to the destruction of our children.  If we are careful to catch these things they might very well avoid some traps that may be set for them down the road. 

Of course, not only do our children need help with this but we, as women, need to be sensitive to the ‘strokes’ of our Father when we are contentious.  A contentious woman is a difficult person to be around and our Father, who loves us as dear children, will be faithful to correct us when and if we get like this.  We don’t want to destroy our marriage, family or another person’s heart.  Let us ask the Lord to help us be sensitive to His strokes of correction if we are being argumentative or unreasonable.  Let us cooperate with the discipline of the Lord so that we can avoid unnecessary destruction and snares for our souls.

Knowing God - The Lord Considers the Individual

2 Kings 22:19a – 22b

….because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake…..thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.

The Lord Considers the Individual

This is the Lord speaking to a 16-year-old King Josiah.  Josiah had just read the Word of God after it was found in the midst of a temple that was filled with all sorts of abominations and priests that were not serving the Lord.  He read that horrible things were going to happen as a result of God’s people and previous kings serving false gods, offering their children as sacrifices and allowing anyone to be a priest regardless of their devotion to the one true God.  Josiah feared the inevitable consequences of living apart from a surrendered life to the Lord.  The Lord spoke to Josiah and explained that these consequences were sure to happen but because Josiah’s heart was tender and he humbled himself at the Word of God, he, himself would not live to experience this.  The Lord does look at an individual’s response to conviction and His voice.  We might have made mistakes or lived in ways that oppose the Lord, but when we have a tender heart and humility before Him when confronted, we can be assured that our God is not only just, but merciful.  Remember to fear the One who judges while drawing near to the God who forgives.  He doesn’t just deal with His people as a group but considers the individual as well.

Proverbs - Accepting and Overthrowing

                                                                     Proverbs 18:5    

It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Awards and accolades are given to all kinds of people in our society for various achievements.  Although many of their talents and efforts are of a high caliber, we, as believers, must guard our hearts when it comes to esteem and acceptance.  We are told by the Lord that it is not good to accept the person of the wicked.  When we begin to admire those who are living or espousing values that God says are wicked, our inner gauge of righteousness can be dulled and confused.  No matter how popular or accepted a person is, if they are wicked, we cannot hold them in an accepted regard. 

Also, if someone is doing what is right according to the Lord, we are not to evaluate and shoot down what they are doing.  If our husbands make a call in our home that is on the level with God’s standard of righteousness, it is not good if we judge how he implements it and not cooperate with his leading.  If someone is in the news because of their radical stance according to this world, we must not agree with the world’s judgment but rather esteem them and pray for them.

Lord, help us esteem and accept the things in a person that you esteem and accept.  Help us be sensitive to any sort of confusion within us in respect of regard or value.  Help us see clearly what may be according to the prince of the power of the air and what is rooted in Your eternal truths.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen

Knowing God - He Touches Us

Matt 8:2-3

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

A leper came to Jesus and worshiped him.  He worshiped him before any healing was given.  He worshiped Jesus from a place of rejection, physical torment and affliction.  No one could touch a leper.  Lepers would have to announce their presence to give people an opportunity to pull themselves back in order to avoid any possible touch.  Could you imagine?  Being someone is o much affliction and not having human touch to comfort and console you? Here, we see Jesus healing this man, but we see Jesus touching this man and then healing him.  The touch came before the healing.  The lepers worship came before the healing.  How precious the love each had for the other.  Our Jesus is longing to touch us regardless of whether we think we deserve it or not.  His touch IS our healing.  He will touch us BEFORE we are healed.  Be open to His touch today.  Worship Him BEFORE He moves in power.  This will produce a relationship that is rooted in love rather than performance.

Proverbs - Waters of Words

Proverbs 18:4

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters,

and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

What we talk about can provide refreshment for those who hear us.  When we speak things that are full of life we can actually wash away the spotting of depression and despair from other people.  As we contribute to a conversation, our words can redirect the flow away from cynicism, judgment and anger to a flow of life, hope and encouragement.  In order to have this effect our words should be purposed to refresh and wash away confusion.  Opening our mouths with wisdom is to be a trademark for the virtuous woman.  We must not be rash with our opinions or quick to speak what we feel.  We must be women whose words flow forth from a depth of communication with the Lord.  We should bring matters before Him and pray over them and then hid His word in our hearts.  This provides the source for such deep waters and the wellspring of wisdom.

Knowing God - God is For Me

Ps 56:9

When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

God is For Me

Here is an instruction on how our battles are to be fought.   The psalmist distinctly connects his enemies turning back with crying unto the Lord.  Because God is for us, He wants to be involved in our battles.  So often we wait until our enemies are upon us to call upon the Lord.  If we were to cry out to the Lord at the first sight of opposing forces, His intervention will be experienced at a much sooner time than when the conflict has already taken a great toll on us.  When we call on the Lord, it is not just a therapeutic exercise but a cry out for legitimate help that is powerful and effective.  Dear saint, when you cry out to the Lord, do you not know that you are pulling into your battle, the God who is for you?  Do you not realize the potential of influence your God has in the situation?  Do not allow the enemy of your soul to trivialize or minimize the effectiveness of your cry.  This is war!

Proverbs - Wickedness and Contempt

                                                                       Proverbs 18:3                                                     

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

Wickedness brings confusion and causes a person’s reputation to be shot down.  Ignominy is a word that means dishonor or shame.  The Lord is telling us here that wicked choices and shameful conduct will ruin someone’s reputation in other people’s eyes.  Even what we do in secret will affect our reputation and our example.  A woman is to be honorable and esteemed for directing her life in a way that honors the Lord Jesus Christ and adorns the gospel.  This world is trying to convince women that purity and integrity are a thing of the past and to be desirable we must be ‘experienced’ in wickedness and live lives that shameful and sinful.  This is a lie of the devil!  We have the opportunity to shine like never before because darkness is encroaching so quickly and strongly.  Our lives’ choices should reflect that we believe in a holy God and His ways.  This way, our children can rise and call us blessed and our husbands can praise us in the conversations they find themselves in.

Proverbs - Discover Thyself?

Proverbs 18:2

A fool hath no delight in understanding,

 but that his heart may discover itself.

                  

Our society is big on people understanding themselves.  This amazes me because I know that I am in a state of transformation.  I am always changing.  Once I may discover something about myself I find that it is almost a waste of discovery.  That part of my personality is most likely under construction of the Holy Spirit and I desire to discover that He is making me into more than what I am in the present moment.  As we grow in our knowledge of God and His ways, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.  We begin to take on His attributes and His heart on matters.  These self discovery paths of counsel, often lead to confusion or perhaps we may get stuck at a certain point of maturity because we feel trapped by what we currently are.  Let us be like clay in the potter’s hands and trust him to change us from glory to glory until Christ be formed in us.

Proverbs - Desires Can Bring Foolishness

Proverbs 18:1

Through desire a man, having separated himself,

seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

We learn from this verse that if a desire is strong enough in someone, it can actually cause a person to cut themselves off from the relationships and activities that the Lord would have for them.  We must be cautious with desires.  Sometimes the desire can be rooted in the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes or the pride of life.  These things are of this world and can court us to be a friend of this world.  These desires have a way of drawing us into pursuits and goals that the Lord does not have for us and soon, we may find ourselves entangled in the affairs of this life, having those things that are supposed to be growing in our lives choked to death.   We need to bring desires before the Lord and seek to delight Him with them.   When we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts.  He won’t only fulfill the desires, but He will give or place the right desires in our hearts.  Our hearts can have longings that are contrary to His plans for our lives and we must not trust our own heart.  He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.  Let us seek first His kingdom and His righteousness when a desire finds its way to the surface of our hearts.  When we start to break away from certain commitments and relationships due to a desire or longing we are seeking to see come to pass, be sure that the Lord has called us to do this.  

Knowing God - He Formed You

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

The Lord formed us in our mothers’ wombs and the Lord had us in mind before He even made us.  He decided our genes, socioeconomic environment, weaknesses and gifts.  He had specific purposes in mind for each one of us and set us apart for certain works before we were even being formed in the womb.  If you and I ever feel misunderstood or lost in our own skin, we must take note that the Lord has known us even before we were created.  In order to live out the life He has for us, it is so important for us to be in total submission to the One who decided to make us in the first place.  Ask Him for His leading and His purposes to come forth in your life today.  He knows you.  He formed you.  He has set you apart and called you.  He loves you.

Proverbs - Less Words/More Wisdom

Proverbs 17:27-28

                                                                     

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

When we are women of understanding we can spare our words.  We can hold our peace and shut our lips.  In many situations we will find ourselves much more esteemed if we would shut our mouths and direct our thoughts to the Lord about the situation rather than speak out all we think or feel.    When we are a person of knowledge we realize that most of the things we would speak out at first would not be fully thought out.  A person of knowledge is one who has taken time to realize they don’t know everything and is in a place of constant instruction.  When we are quiet, we can listen.  When we listen, we increase knowledge.  When we increase knowledge we can more properly speak to those things that need our words rather than vent temporary assessments or thoughts.  The next time you find yourself in a situation where words rush from your heart to your head, pause and shut your mouth.  Consider that the first thing to pop into your mind may not be what the Lord wants out of your mouth.

Knowing God - He Turns Curses Into Blessings

2 Sam 16:12

It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.

The Lord Pays Good for Cursing

David spoke this when a man was casting stones at David and saying all kinds of accusations at him.  Earlier David said, “…so let him curse, because the Lord has said unto him, Curse David”. (2 Samuel 16:10)  David was in a very low time of his life and this man was adding insult to injury.  David was not going to command his men to fight for him in this situation.  This was not a king’s battle.  This was a personal attack and David knew the difference.  He realized that the Lord is His King and the Lord will fight for him.  The Lord sees the insults and personal attacks we go through.  He sees our afflictions and might very well give us a blessing because of someone’s ill treatment of us.  The attacks of others are intended to be used by the Lord to be used for our good.  The Lord sees your personal conflict.  Resist the desire to attack back and look up.  It may be that that the Lord will pay you good for the cursing you are going through.

Knowing God - He Shows Us Life's Paths

Psalm 16:11a

You will show me the paths of life..

He Shows Us Life’s Paths

The Lord is the One who shows us the paths of life.  He doesn’t just teach us about them or command us to go on them, but actually SHOWS us the paths.  Oftentimes we are ignorant or blinded to the paths that are full of life.  We choose paths of death and paths of decay.  We can choose a path because it looks familiar or inviting unaware of its destination.  We need the Lord to SHOW us the paths of life.  He will use His Word to illuminate our path and show us the path that goes towards life and newness.  Life denotes newness, activity, goals, accomplishment and meaning.  As you look into His Word and sense His leading trust that the paths He is leading You on are not really those which kill good times but rather bring life.  

Proverbs - Judge Accurately

Proverbs 17:26

                                                                     

Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

Raising our children brings on a lot of conflict, especially if there are siblings involved.  As we have been given authority over these little people, we must consider our position as one where judgment must be accurate to produce the righteous results the Lord would want.  I have on more than one occasion, dealt out a consequence only to find that the wrong child received the punishment.  I was too quick and not calculated enough in discerning a matter.  When we punish the just, this is not good.  It is extremely important for us to hear out a matter and investigate a situation before reacting.  We may even have to walk away and come before the Lord asking for insight and wisdom on the matter before we make a judgment.  This will allow the Spirit of Truth opportunity to search out the matter and reveal angles we may be blind to.  We must not strike princes when they have done a fair and right thing.  Our children are being raise as royalty – sons and daughters of the King of kings.  A righteous judge considers the evidence and makes a judgment not on one side of the case but listening for all the information weighing it against the law and its standards.  As parents, we must approach the ‘bench’ with a great sense of responsibility and desire to make a righteous judgment.

Knowing God - He Goes Before Us

                                                     Isaiah 45a             

“I will go before you and make the crooked places straight:”

So much of who the Lord reveals Himself to be involves His involvement with us.  How wonderful that our God is a God who doesn't just sit on a throne disconnected with His creation!  He is a loving Father, Shepherd and King, who concerns Himself with the paths of those He has created.  Here we see that God, Himself, goes before us on our paths, straightening out ways that are crooked before we even walk them.  Our Lord desires to be a God who, not only is with us on our roads, but goes before us to give us a great sense of being cared for and looked after.  He is in this day and its events before we even get there.  If you and I face something difficult today, remember that the Lord has gone before us and He has influenced the twists and turns our lives make.  He will guide us because He has traveled our roads before us.

Proverbs - The Hearts of Mama and Papa

Proverbs 17:25        

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

                       

When our children choose to do things that are foolish, parents’ hearts are greatly affected.  We can try to deny these feelings but bitterness and grief hit the hearts of mom and dad.  This is why our ministry as moms must never be trivialized or pushed to the backburner.  We are responsible to model and instruct our children in wisdom.  Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.  Do your children see you making foolish and impulsive choices or do they see you waiting on the Lord and testing things against His Word?  Do they see you and your husband praying together over decisions deciding to honor the Lord or do they see you both making decisions with your own understanding or reason?  Ladies, the grief and bitterness that we experience when and if our children choose to live foolishly, should never be rooted in the example that we set before them.