Knowing God - The Lord Will Not Be Judged

Ezek 18:25

Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

The Lord Will Not Be Judged

The Lord is letting us know that our conclusions about His ways are often wrong and our understanding of our own ways is incorrect as well.  He points out that we often discuss God’s ways and decide in studies or discussions or even denominational councils whether we think God’s ways are fair.  How dare we?!  The Lord is telling us to get our analysis and conclusions off of His ways and begin to be evaluated by Him as to whether our ways are fair or right.  Sometimes, people love to discuss scriptural truths, debate and think they are Grecian philosophers on Mars Hill in order to escape the conviction of the Holy Spirit in their own lives.  They are evaluating God so much that they don’t have to look at their own lives.  The Lord is firm about this.  He tells us that it is our ways that are to be weighed and they are to be weighed by His ways.  The Lord will challenge us when we become the ones who judge Him rather than the ones who are to be judged.

Proverbs - Some People Will Hate You

Proverbs 29:10

The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

As believers seeking to please the Lord we will end up being hated or loved.  We most likely will be hated by those who don’t want to come to the light.  Those who love the Lord will seek fellowship with us.  Accept the fact that some people will hate you and that it’s okay.  They most likely are bloodthirsty and shouldn’t be a close companion.  Enjoy those who seek to spend time with you and magnify the Lord together.

Knowing God - He Holds Our Hands

Isa 42:6

 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness,

and will hold thine hand, ….

What a precious truth!  God doesn’t just call us, He promises to hold our hands!  He doesn’t just lead in front of us.  He holds our hands.  He doesn’t just tell us what to do.  He holds our hands.  He doesn’t stand behind us and push us.  He holds our hands.  He doesn’t just stand next to us.  He holds our hands.  What a wonderful Father our God is.  He is holding our hands.  He is with us and He gives a great promise to hold our hands.  This means if we fall, He will pick us up.  If we grow fearful, He will reassure us of His presence.  If we feel lonely, His touch will speak to us of His commitment to us.  How sweet of our God to tell us that He will hold our hands.  If He said, He means it.  Let us walk in this day knowing that we have fellowship with God and He has promised to hold our hands.

Proverbs - Foolish People

Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man,

 whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

Recognizing foolishness will help us avoid unnecessary contention.  We are taught in the word to contend for the faith but a foolish person can get us contending for all kinds of meaningless things.  When this happens we end up exhausted and drained.  Knowing when to let a fool go on and not enter in to his foolishness is a mark of maturity.  A wise woman will know when to be quiet and avoid such a trap to work her up over nothing.  We need rest.  Let us not slip into these things but rather let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.  

Knowing God - He is God and We are Human

Ex 33:20

 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

The Lord’s Face Cannot Be Seen

When the Lord was speaking to Moses, He explained that a human could not see His face and live.  Was this really an appearance of Jesus in His heavenly form before the incarnation and thus in a state that flesh could not behold?  Was this the Father and Moses was being told He could not see His face?  Was this speaking about the Godhead and showing that no human visual of God in His triune nature could be seen by a human without his or her glorified body?  I am not sure.  I just look at God’s statement and realize how incredibly different in nature and substance are we than Him.  Even the angelic beings in Isaiah six have their wings covering their eyes as they worship the Lord.  This statement that the Lord makes about Himself reveals that, although fellowship with God is available through Jesus Christ, we ought always to remember that He is God and we are human.  Let’s sanctify the Lord and approach Him not only with the sense that He is our Father but in awesome reverence for His nature and being.

Proverbs - What Do I Do When Someone Gets Angry?

Proverbs 29:8

Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

Wrath is rather intimidating at times.  We can get sucked into an attitude before we even know what has happened.  To be wise women we need to turn away wrath.  We shouldn’t mock someone in their anger nor should we trivialize a person’s feelings when they are exhibiting such anger.  When our children begin to vent, we must take them seriously and seek to turn the wrath away and get to the issue at hand.  Sure, the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God, but going past the wrath to the issue will help extinguish the wrath and bring about a solution.  Let us not be those scornful women who get pulled into a heated rage.  Let us have soft answers and tender hearts whenever wrath is evident.

Knowing God - The Earth is Filled With His Glory

Isa 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

The Earth is Filled with His Glory

These were angelic beings crying out these statements in front of the Lord as He sat on His throne.  They state an amazing truth.  “The whole earth is full of his glory”.  There are two strong words here; whole and full.  The whole earth is full of His glory.  I am confident that these angelic beings were telling the truth so this earth we are living on MUST be filled with His glory.  He has chosen to fill this earth with His glory.  Do we see it?  Are we blind to it?  This is such a great truth and should humble us to the point that we look around with an expectation to see things, situations and events that proclaim the glory of the Lord.  He has told us here in Isaiah that this is true and wants us to know this.  He wants us to behold things that show His glory, His truths, His weightiness and like those angels, resound with praise for them.   Lord, we believe you.  This earth, the one on which we dwell, is full of your glory.  Show us your glory today!

Proverbs - Considering the Poor

Proverbs 29:7

The righteous considereth the cause of the poor:

 but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

It is quite easy to focus only on our needs.  As we develop more and more into the likeness of Christ, we should find ourselves concerned and investigative into the needs of the poor.  Whether it is their own fault or not, human need is meant to trigger in us compassion.  The Lord is full of compassion and rich in mercy.  He pities us in our affliction and sends His help.  He has chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith.  Lord, help us be sensitive to the needs of others and if they lack something that we can fill, show us.

Knowing God - He is a Sanctuary

Isa 8:13-14

 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; ….

The Lord Is a Sanctuary

The Lord promises us in this verse that He will be to us a sanctuary.  He puts a condition here though.  He says that He needs to be set apart in our lives.  He needs to be above everything and everyone and deserves to be focused on apart from life and its dealings.  He tells us that we need to fear Him and be concerned about His opinions, judgments and decrees concerning our lives and the choices we make.  He then promises to be that hiding place, refuge and safety that we need as we so often face storms, warfare and threats of attack.  He wants to be for us a sanctuary.  We need to run into Him.  We need to see Him as stronger than anything coming against us.  Our awe of Him must far exceed the intimidation factor of any opposition.  He shall be for a sanctuary to those who set Him apart and concern themselves with pleasing Him alone.

Proverbs - Evil Choices and Snags

Proverbs 29:6

In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare:

 but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

We will always get snared by making evil choices.  It is not worth it!  Praise the Lord that He can get people untangled even if they make such choices.  We will sing and rejoice when we make the right choices.  Sometimes it is difficult at first to make the right decision but afterwards we can enjoy our lives without so many entanglements and snares.  Because we believe God is right and His ways are good, choosing them ends up rejoicing our hearts.  The way of sin results in so many things having to be worked through.  If you know someone who is entangled by their sin, take the time to let them know that Jesus Christ can forgive them and help them get untangled.

Knowing God - The Lord Speaks Weightily

Isa 8:11

For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,

The Lord Speaks Strongly

The Lord was speaking to Isaiah in a very strong and authoritative way.  Our God is God.  He has the right to make a stand and speak as One who has authority because He is the One from whom all authority is given.   Isaiah was being warned to not go along with all of the people who were deciding to align themselves with pagan nations to protect themselves against marauding forces.  God spoke strongly to Isaiah and warned him NOT to follow the cultural pattern.  When most people around us are choosing something other than trusting and living for God, God will speak strongly to His people to come out from among them and be separate.  This weighty word is meant to press on us with greater weight than the weight of peer or cultural pressure.  Don’t be afraid of the weighty words of the Lord.  Receive them.  God will speak and it is a privilege to hear Him.  Let the weight of His warnings speak great love and care to you and OBEY!

Proverbs - Flattery

Proverbs 29:5

A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Flattery in the scriptures is not referring to genuine encouragement or praise.  Flattery is referring to a slanted word for hidden agendas.  If we say things to people with a motivation for gain we spread a net for our feet.  We must consider our words and seek to genuinely build up someone rather than puff them up.  We could be trying to gain a friend or someone’s respect.  This is dangerous business.  When we do this it is like setting ourselves up to be tangled in our words and relationships.  Let us rather seek to have words that are aimed by the Lord to bring life to those we speak.  Let us have clear paths by seeking to speak words that are rooted in truth and are separate from any individual gain.

                                        

Knowing God - He Intervenes

Isa 19:2

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

The Lord is at work even among those who have set him at a distance and have decided to run their own lives.  He will set person against person to manifest the confusion and division present within their lives.  The unity we all love and seek can only come through the Holy Spirit and submission to the head of the body; Jesus Christ.  When people decide to do what is right in their own eyes, agreement and unity is virtually impossible.  They may walk agreed for a short time but the unraveling of agreement is inevitable.  God will intervene and God will set one against another with the hope of repentance and submission towards Him.  He is the One who is intricately involved in the affairs of man and it is His purposes that He brings about.  Our God is not just the God of unity but the God of division when hand joins with hand to bring about wickedness or the oppression of His people.

Proverbs - Judging Rightly

Proverbs 29:4

The king by judgment establisheth the land:

 but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Judgment is to be done without considering how the judgment will benefit us.  We must judge things in an objective manner as the Lord has determined.  It is important for us to look at things with a heart to want to understand how God sees things.  Sometimes our evaluation of a matter will cost us something.  It might cost us a friendship, time or labor.  We must not allow this to persuade us in one direction or another.   Our land will be established as we seek to evaluate by God’s standards and please Him alone.

Knowing God - Restrictions May Mean Safety

Zech 2:5

For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

The Lord will be a wall of fire around us and the glory in the midst of us.  He will blind us from the enemy’s eyes and will outshine the darkest plots of our adversary.  He is powerful and mighty and is not worthy to be equated with the influence and understood strategies of our enemy.  We are no match for our enemies but He is like a wall of fire around us.  He will be our boundaries and He will often cause us to be limited in movement to protect us from the snares of the wicked one.  He loves us and His love is a militant love.  Let’s enjoy His presence, enjoy any sort of restricted seasons and trust He is that wall that protects us from going beyond certain boundaries and prevents that which would seek us harm from coming in.

Proverbs - Children, Love Wisdom

Proverbs 29:3

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

Lord, we pray that our children will love wisdom.  We pray that the sexual identities of our children will be established by You and Your boundaries.  We pray that our children will want to do what’s right and trust Your judgment on matters.  We ask that we would show our children a great love for wisdom in our own lives and that we wouldn’t be women who dress like harlots.  Lord, preserve the next generation for Your glory and show them the paths of life. Let the riches they have in You be spent on that which lasts.  Protect them from wicked and unreasonable people.

Knowing God - He Is Near to the Broken Hearted

Ps 34:18

 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

When our hearts are broken we can feel very alone in our pain.  The Lord lets us know that He is near to those who have a broken heart.  He draws extra close when we are the most vulnerable and wounded.  He wants us to know that when we are very broken and when we are very sorry, He comes close with comfort and deliverance.  The brokenness here is most likely associated with bad choices we have made and the regret we may find ourselves having.  Our adversary points at us and tells us we are isolated and that the Lord is far.  His Word expresses otherwise.  He is near and in the brokenness of heart and contrition of spirit we can trust He is near to us and will bring us through.  There is no need to prove anything to God in order to have Him come close; rather we must admit our self induced wounds and genuine regret and sorrow over the sinful or foolish choices we have made.  If we come to Him, He will in no wise cast us out.

Proverbs - The Righteous In Authority

Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

If you have a difficult husband, manager or landlord, don’t be surprised if you just feel down.  This is a truth spoken of here by the Lord.  If you have a righteous husband, pastor or manager and you wonder why you seem to enjoy working for them, this proverb addresses this as well.  Whenever there is a wicked person with influence over us, we must draw upon the joy of the Lord and seek Him to comfort us in our affliction.  We should remember that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  Although we may have to deal an unreasonable person, we can trust that Jesus is Lord over all and He will even use this time of mourning to keep us focused on pleasing Him and knowing His great love and care.  We will be serving Him and not the person over us. 

Knowing God - God is a Present Help

Ps 46:1

 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

God is a Present Help

When we need help, we need it now.  God is revealing to us that He Himself is our refuge and strength.  He wants us to know that we can hide in Him and draw strength from Him.  He wants us to know that His presence promises help.  He is our helper.  We need help.  God is always ready to provide the help we need because He is present with us at all times.  We can still our anxious hearts and become aware that Christ dwells in our hearts by faith.  We can cease our anxious thoughts because we have the mind of Christ.  We can humble ourselves in those times where we find ourselves overwhelmed knowing He can lead us to a rock that is higher than ourselves.  We can stop looking to money to be our help because God is our provider.  We can stop putting expectations on others to help because our expectation comes from God!  We can stop growing weary in our trials because He has promised to be our strength.  We can hide in Him and gain the much needed protection and peace we may need in the midst of trouble.  The Lord is a very present help in time of trouble.  He is not far.  He is near.

Proverbs - Be Open to Correction

Proverbs 29:1

He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

When we are reproved by a person or the Holy Spirit we should consider this and seek to be open to correction and change.  If we harden our necks, or resist the correction we can suddenly be destroyed without remedy.  Today if we hear His voice we must not harden our hearts.  If a topic keeps coming up at bible study or in our devotions we should consider this as reproof from the Lord.  He is getting our attention because He wants to transform us in that area of our lives.  If we turn a deaf ear or respond in a lazy way, He may stop speaking and allow us to reap from our choices in a way that will really awaken us with unnecessary troubles brought about by our own stubbornness.  Is there an area of your life that you sense the Lord correcting you?  Respond today with a tender heart and actions that show cooperation with His instruction.

Knowing God - It is God Who Weighs Our Actions

1 Sam 2:3

 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

God Weighs Our Actions

This was a part of a prayer that Hannah prayed when she gave Samuel to the Lord’s service in the temple.  She had prayed for this son and now she was giving him back.  She knew her God; and God was more important to her than the gifts He had given her.  We learn here that our God is a God of knowledge and He weighs our actions.  When we are doing something to please the Lord, He is weighing our actions.  The Lord ponders what we are doing and He considers our motives and sincerity of heart.  It is the heart that He desires to be clean and upright when giving anything to Him.  He wants us to prepare our hearts and be in a place where our words or actions are not the measurement but the heart behind those words and actions.  Our God knows why we are doing what we are doing.  Sometimes we don’t even know that there are hidden agendas or fleshly reasons for spiritual actions.  It is a good thing to pray quietly before the Lord, like Hannah, and ask the God of knowledge to weigh our actions and create in us clean hearts.  Ask Him to unite your heart to fear His name.  Ask Him to cause your offerings to be sincere and motivated only by your love for Him.

Proverbs - Good Managers, Politicians, Landlords etc...

Proverbs 28:28

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Oh that we would pray for the authority over us!  We have seen a multitude of proverbs warning us of the tremendous impact the type of authority we have over us has as well as the type of effect we can have on those under our authority.  Take some time now and ask the Lord to remove those in authority over us that might be wicked and raise up those who are righteous and want to please Him.

Knowing God - He is Our Oil

Zech 4:2-3

 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

God Is the Olive Tree

This vision that Zechariah had was speaking the truth found in verse six; not by might, nor by power, but my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. We often stand on this truth to remind us to not put our confidence in any other source than God’s Spirit Himself.  This vision helps us understand this.  The vessels that were burning were burning not because of the gold or the shape of the vessels, but because of the oil within the vessels.  This oil was being continually renewed by living olive trees on either side with pipes coming from them permanently attached to the lamps, supplying oil needed for the lamps to shine and fulfill their purpose.  God is our olive tree and it is abiding in Him we get a constant filling and fuel for all He has designed us to do.  He is right there and without Him we cannot do what He wants in the way He desires it to be done.   When Jesus left this earth He promised to send the Holy Spirit to comfort, lead and show us what to do.  Let’s be those lamps today firmly abiding in the Lord and having His Spirit flow into our lives and supply the fuel that will make us shine in a way that NO one would think it was just us!

Proverbs - Giving Will Help You Financially

Proverbs 28:27

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:

but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

Giving to those who need something is a principle the Lord uses to provide for us.  Are you attentive to the needs of others?  Do you hide your eyes from those you could help?  Is there a certain family that is struggling that you could pay one of their bills? Is there a relief organization that meets the needs of the desperate you could contribute to?  Do you know of someone who could use a gift card to the market or gas in their car?  One of the best ways to provide for your family is to provide for the poor.

Knowing God - He Redeems From ALL Troubles

Ps 25:22

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

God Redeems Out of ALL Our Troubles

God is the One who is to be called on in our troubles.  He sees us in our troubles and He is a God who is able, willing and will deliver His people out of ALL his troubles.  It is important for us to realize that our troubles are not to be hidden from the Lord but brought before Him.  He is to be trusted and sought in times of trouble.   It doesn’t matter if it is trouble we deserve because of our own poor, foolish or sinful choices or if it is trouble brought on by others’ sin or foolishness.   God is to be called on to redeem and get us through and out of those troubling times.  Our God is a redeemer and our troubles do not intimidate Him.  They are not a challenge to Him.  Nothing is too difficult for God.  NOTHING!  

Proverbs - Don't Trust in Your Own Heart

Proverbs 28:26

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:

 but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Do you want to tear down your house?  With your own hands?  Then, trust in your own heart.  Believe your feelings.  Consider your conclusions as absolute and to be obeyed.  Make sure your perspective is the one that is heeded to by all around you.  Believe your judgments and emotions.  Be sure to control everyone based on what you think you need.  That is trusting in your own heart and that is a foolish woman.  We are to walk wisely.  Walking wisely means keeping an open heart and mind to what the Lord may be trying to tell us and show us.  Wisdom will be yielding and can be quiet.  Do not be wise in your own eyes.  Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Knowing God - He Created It All

Ps 104:19

He appointed the moon for seasons:

 the sun knoweth his going down.

He Created It All

The Lord is the Creator.  He has created everything we study about in school.  Many a science class begins by telling everyone that God did NOT create what they are about to discover.  This is SO sad.  Our intelligent God designed and created all we learn about in science.  The geographical, astronomical, biological and psychological sciences are here because our Creator made the earth, universe, life and personalities of all we study.  When we realize He made it all, the study of science becomes one where the awe and reverence of God is heightened because of the absolute incredible interworking of cellular bodies, organs, planets, orbits, systems and various types of life.  When we watch a documentary or consider an angle of creation, we should realize that He has appointed these things and we are indeed under the care of an intelligent and complex Creator.  He designed seasons for reasons.  He appointed things to be where they are supposed to be.  He has put into things design and purpose.  We can be quite secure knowing that the One who now dwells in our hearts by faith, created all we see and has distinct purposes and plans for everything that was created by Him and for Him.

Proverbs - Pride Creates Drama

Proverbs 28:25

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:

 but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

When someone seems to always cause strife, we can be assured they have a proud heart.  This means that we mustn’t allow ourselves to be taken down the road of contention and arguing by someone with a proud heart.  If we find ourselves rather contentious we should seek to go off before the Lord and humble ourselves before Him asking Him to help us not be arrogant and proud.  When we find ourselves contentious let us put our trust in the Lord.  We don’t have to prove our point and we don’t have to be right.  We can trust the Lord to be our defense and humble ourselves under His mighty hand.  He will lift us up. 

Knowing God - God Withdraws Himself

Hos 5:6

 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

God Withdraws Himself

The faithfulness of a God who pursues overwhelms our sense of being loved and cared for, but considering the fact that the Lord might withdraw Himself from us can make us feel unloved.  It is quite the opposite.  Our God will withdraw Himself from His people AFTER relentless pursuits that are ignored or not given due attention.  The withdrawal of the Lord is motivated by love because our God is love and He does all things well.  When God’s people are not seeking after Him and He has more than demonstrated His desire to rule, reign, and redeem; sometimes the Lord will remove His obvious presence and influence to show that truly He is what we need.  We ought not to panic when this happens but rather humble ourselves and admit any sort of deaf ear to His voice or stubborn ways.  We should begin to thirst for Him and desire Him above all else.  Our God is not a God that is to be treated as routine or background filler, but God is the essence of life itself.  His presence is what we need and fellowship with Him is what gives life its color and sense.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Proverbs - Don't Rob Your Parents

Proverbs 28:24

                                                         

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

Parents are to be treated with honor and respect.  They should not be robbed of honor, possessions or money.  Do you owe your parents something?  At one time did they bail you out and you can repay them?  If your children have taken some money or sneaked something behind your back have you considered the seriousness of this offense?  Just because parents provide for their children doesn’t mean the children have the right to take from the parents.  We don’t want to be a companion of a destroyer or raise such children.

Jesus Beholds Our Giving

Mark 12:41

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Jesus Beholds Our Giving

Jesus beheld how the people cast money into the treasury of the temple.  The Lord watches how we give to the works of the various institutions He has raised up.  Whether it is your local church, a para-church organization like a pro-life ministry or abused women’s shelter, or a missionary, He is beholding how we give.  There is something about our money and our hearts and Jesus is watching.  Because He is watching it is good for us to seek to give in a way that pleases Him.  He told us that where our treasure is there will our heart be also.  It is always good before we write that check, give that check or give an online offering to humbly bow our heads and ask Him to bless the giving and continue to guide us in how we would financially be used to further His kingdom.  He is beholding, may He be blessed when He considers our role in this part of His kingdom.

Proverbs - Confrontation Can Create Favor

Proverbs 28:23

He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour

than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Sometimes it is difficult to confront someone when it is necessary.  The person might take it as a personal offense or even be defensive when the subject is brought up.  If we are motivated by love and a desire to help the person have the blessed life the Lord wants them to have we must not consider a person’s response but rather whether we did what the Lord wanted us to do.  In the long run, our friends will appreciate the fact that we cared enough to steer them in the right way rather than sit passively back and watch their demise.  Love people in truth.  Care more about them than how they care about you. Be willing to be rejected initially and wait on the Lord.  If you spoke His truth motivated by love you will either end up with a friend that respects you in the long run or eliminate companions that are not serious about pleasing God.

Knowing God - The Lord Does Not Stay Angry

Ps 103:9

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

The Lord Does Not Stay Mad

The Lord will not always chide.  He will not always rebuke us and correct us.  We always have something that could be corrected.  We are human and we have such transformation to still undergo.  The Lord will, at times, call us on an area that we need to change.  We must love this.  We must never treat the discipline of our heavenly Father as something light or to be disregarded.  He knows why He is working on that area and we must fully cooperate and seek Him when we realize He is contending with us.  We must not grow weary.  The Lord will not always chide.  His anger will not be forever.  He has reasons when his anger is kindled and His is a righteous anger.  There are seasons in our relationship with God and each one is to be received as necessary and helpful.   If we are under the discipline of God, do not be discouraged.  Receive His discipline, knowing you are a legitimate child.  Know that it is a season – a season that proves He is working in your life!

Proverbs - Get Rich Quick?

Proverbs 28:22

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

The Lord never intended us to operate in a hasty way to make money.  This could lead to gambling, risks, criminal activity and getting involved with people to our own demise.  Money can lure us down a dangerous road.  We should never labor to get rich and we must not love money.  If we do love money we will be serving another God.  We cannot serve both God and money.  The Lord can bless us and He might choose to give us riches but we must not pursue such schemes.  This is usually rooted in a bit of slothfulness and impatience.  It might even be rooted in covetousness and a lack of gratefulness.  When we feel the pull to be hasty to get rich, consider that poverty most likely will come out of it.  If it seems too good to be true it probably is.  Seek first His kingdom.  Work for your Lord.  He will add those things that you need.

Knowing God - He Has Abolished Death

2 Tim 1:10

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

He Has Abolished Death

Jesus Christ has abolished death.  The word ‘abolish’ in this text means to ‘render idle or useless’.  Jesus Christ has caused death to be non-impactful for the one who has trusted in His work on Calvary.  Death is so final for so many, but the Lord has rendered death idle and not to be feared any longer.  Death is still here because sin is still here but the sting of death has been abolished by Jesus Christ.  He has brought life and immortality through His work on Calvary and His resurrection.  Death is not to be esteemed as something so powerful but useless.  Death is now a defeated foe.  Most of us will have to face this foe, but it is unarmed and unable to take us prisoner.  Although we will face death, if indeed we are in Christ, He has made it idle and a fleeting experience that will pale in the light of life and immortality which awaits us.   Saint, do not fear death!  He has rendered it idle and useless.  Look beyond to all that He has prepared for you so that where He is you may be also.

Proverbs - Favortism

Proverbs 28:21

To have respect of persons is not good:

 for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

Being a respecter of persons means either showing favoritism to one or looking down on another.  This could be motivated by any sort of criteria.  We may be tempted to do this based on someone’s clothing, education, or personality.   We must be careful because this will confuse us with our ability to discern and make good judgments in our lives.  When we measure people upon our own standards we will find our standards inconsistent and not rooted in truth and love.  We will then measure our choices subjectively and not hear the Lord’s standards.  We will end up with the fear of man and a life that is controlled by pride and self standards.  Let us ask the Lord for His heart for everyone that we might treat people according to His love and not change based on the recipients.  Our treatment of others will not have to change based on some sort of standard rooted in pride or ignorance.  Lord, give us your consistent love for every person we meet.

Proverbs - Faithfulness Results in Blessings

Proverbs 28:20

A faithful man shall abound with blessings:

 but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Faithfulness is a rare commodity these days.  It is important that we know how to do our jobs day in and day out with a sense of wanting to do them well and consistently.  Showing up on time to things, having dinner ready for our families, being at a bible study every week and paying bills when they are due are all types of faithfulness.  Being able to keep going in the things that you have to do regardless of what comes to distract is being faithful. Not dropping our responsibilities due to a more exciting opportunity or even because of discouragement helps define us as faithful.  This includes avoiding pursuing things to get money quickly without working.  The temptation is to get rich quick and the Lord lets us know that if we do this we will not be innocent.  He wants us to be faithful where we are and not try every new pursuit with the hope to get rich quick.  We will abound with blessings when we are faithful people.

Knowing God - The Lord Revives

Isa 57:15

I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

The Lord Revives

Revive means to make alive again something that was once alive but died.  When we are arrogant and direct our own lives, we find ourselves in places the Lord never wanted us in.  We may feel like we have gone so far from the Lord that we are basically dead.  The Lord will revive us, bring life to us, as we humble ourselves and admit our error and insufficiency apart from Him.  God gives life.  God resurrects.  He loves to lift up the humble and He loves to put His breath into us.  The Lord can bring to life the deadest situation.  We are to be humble and contrite.  We are to bow down and He will lift us up.

Knowing God - The Lord Gives Understanding

2 Tim 2:7

 Consider what I say; and the Lord

 give thee understanding in all things.

The Lord Gives Understanding

Paul is writing to young Timothy and giving him God’s advice as a new pastor.  There is a lot in both of these letters and a young person may feel quite overwhelmed by warnings and instruction.  This particular verse reminds Timothy to consider what Paul is saying but to remember that the Lord will give Him understanding in all things. We may have mentors.  We may have excellent pastors and teachers.  There may be super anointed books full of wisdom and instruction.  We may feel overwhelmed at times wondering if we can remember or understand it all.  It is so relieving to know that the Lord gives us understanding in all things.  We can cry out to Him in specific situations and trust that He will bring clarity and understanding.  Mentors are helpful but God gives understanding.

Words from people

May strike a chord,

But understanding

Is from the Lord.

Proverbs - Till Your Land

Proverbs 28:19

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

The Lord is letting us know that we need to till our own land.  We don’t need to be concerned about everyone else’s land.  We need to till our own land.  This will result in having our needs more than met.  What is your land?  Is it your home?  Is it your apartment?  Is it your car?  Is it the ministry or job you have?  Is it the university classes you are attending? Are you tilling it?  Are you making sure you are taking care of it?  Is there something you can do to develop and make these things better?  See what your hands find to do today and do it with all your might unto the Lord.  We are warned here that if we choose to hang around with friends that are NOT tilling their land and distracting us from our land we will end up lacking.  Consider your land.  Consider your children, your marriage and your health.  Don’t accept that luncheon invitation with that group of gals if you haven’t taken care of your land first!