Knowing God - He Will Trouble Those Who Trouble You

Josh 7:25

 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day.

We are not to repay evil for evil.  The Lord is the One who is in the place to recompense to man a reaping of what he sows.  Our God is not mocked.   If we roll a stone, that stone will roll back on us.  When someone brings us trouble as we are seeking to serve the Lord and be about His business, the Lord will deal with them.  He WILL trouble those who trouble us.  We have a Father in heaven that is not passively observing our plight.  He is involved and judges the earth.  If someone troubles you, refrain yourself from troubling them.  Leave this to the Lord.  The Lord will fight for you.

Proverbs - Secret Sin Proves a Lack of the Fear of God

Proverbs 14:2

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD:

but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

When we fear the Lord our steps will prove it.  Those who fear the Lord are making choices and taking steps that honor Him because HIS eyes are upon them.  If we are people who conduct ourselves in some sort of hidden manner, we do not fear Him nor consider His presence in our lives.  Our lives must be open and vulnerable to His judgments and evaluation.  We must trust Him to send to us His assessment of the steps we are taking.

If we do certain things in haste and try hard not hear Him, we despise Him and show that we think we know better than Him.  Believers, do not allow the temptation of secret sin to diminish your perspective of our great and mighty God.  He sees it all and He will deal with us as any good Father would.  He will discipline us and there is nothing hidden from Him.  Trust Him.

Put those things that you are ashamed of in the light of His x-ray vision and allow Him to diagnose and treat the broken fellowship you have with Him.  Walk consistently today knowing He is worthy to be obeyed and feared.  Your life will be so much less complicated and your path so much plainer.

Knowing God - He Will Tell Us Why We Were Defeated

Josh 7:10-11

                                                    

 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned…..

There was a defeat for the armies of Israel and Joshua was crying out to the Lord.  Perhaps Joshua thought the Lord had let them down.  Joshua had received the promise that if he meditated on the Word of God he would have good success.  Why would this happen?  The Lord tells Joshua that it is because of Israel’s sin that they were defeated. 

Sometimes there is defeat in our lives and we cry out to God because we think it is our fault or maybe we feel the Lord is letting us down.  The Lord answers Joshua and tells him to get off the ground and quit feeling sorry for himself.  The defeat was related to someone else’s sin.  A defeat that affects us may, in fact, be due to someone else’s sin.  Let us be cautious to jump to conclusions about the cause of defeat and be willing to go through hard times because of someone else’s sin.  Our God will speak to us and help us avoid the victim mentality and help us get up and seek Him for what to do next.

Proverbs - A Wise Woman is A Builder

 Proverbs 14:1

 Every wise woman buildeth her house:

but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

There is a contrast here of what a wise woman is doing with her life and home versus a foolish woman.  The wise woman is building her house and the foolish one is plucking it down with her hands.  A wise woman is not just maintaining her home but building it.  Building implies new- construction, materials brought in from outside, a design or plan that is followed and labor. 

We should always be looking to the Master Architect for what kind of extreme makeover He wants to do.  He sees potential and problems that need repair and upgrades.  Relationships in the home, priorities and attitudes are all things He loves to come in and inspect.  He knows that the day to day living we do will cause our homes to naturally dilapidate and that our home needs His constant care and plan.  The materials we need come from Him.  We seek Him to show us, as women, what He knows needs to be done.  We listen in bible studies, personal times with Him and throughout our days for His suggestions and when He delivers some great truth to build into the structure and layout of our lives and homes.  We cooperate with Him and know that, according to this verse we are His laborers and we build our homes.  He loves us and knows what we have need of.  Are you seeking Him for His ideas and input?  Do you understand that the infrastructure of your home is very much a women’s responsibility?  Do you take this seriously and look to Him for new ways to build up those within your home and keep the climate constantly open to Him?

If any of us who are women, pluck down our home, we are foolish women and when you see all the sorrow a fool has, you don’t want to do this.  Plucking is a term that is not related to major demolition.  It is almost like a termite that is slowly nibbling away at the structure resulting in hidden, yet devastating damage that could make the whole structure unstable and unsafe.  The words we say, the thoughts we think, the choices we make, could, little by little, tear down our homes and before we know it, our families and lives have fallen apart.  Seek to build, repent of the tearing down and rest knowing that your home will withstand the elements because you are actively cooperating with the Master Builder.

Knowing God - He Intimidates Our Enemies

Josh 2:11

And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

The inhabitants of Jericho found themselves in a place of awe and reverence after hearing about the Lord God.  They had heard that the Lord had dried up the Red Sea and that the Lord had fought for His people in the wilderness.  Because of what the Lord had done for His people, the enemies of His people were weak and discouraged.  Our God has done great things for us.  Because of His great works, our enemies find themselves confounded and lacking the confidence they often have in the presence of those who do not have the Lord as their God.  The enemy hears of these great works and our God’s awesome power resonates through the spiritual kingdom.  We might do well to praise Him today for the seas He has parted in our lives so that we might avoid unnecessary intimidation from our enemies.

Proverbs - Doing the RIGHT Thing Creates Satisfaction

Proverbs 13:25

 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul:

but the belly of the wicked shall want.

When we are right with God we are settled and content.  We find ourselves able to recognize and enjoy the blessings the Lord has given us.  When we live wickedly our lives become so complicated that we can’t see beyond the mess that we got ourselves in.

The Lord is good and has done so much for us.  Choosing to obey Him and focus on doing what He says is right will enable to us to savor and taste that the Lord is good.  Our adversary is desperately trying to blind us to the goodness of God and create in us a sense of dissatisfaction.  This results in a wrong understanding of God. We can begin to see Him as not thorough, not caring and distant.  No!  The Lord our God is good and good to His children.  Deep inside of us is a hunger that only He can satisfy. 

When we wake up in the morning and sit before Him and cry out seeking to honor Him in our lives, everything takes on clarity and beauty and the satisfaction of what we take in becomes a reality.  Believers, let us SEEK FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness – His priorities for our lives and families.  We will then be satisfied and not led down the road of thirst rooted in choices He has asked us to avoid.  Lord, may we be those who richly enjoy all good things bringing You the honor as a good Father and Shepherd of our soul.

Knowing God - He Showed Himself in a Human Body!

1 Tim 3:16

 “…God was manifest in the flesh,….”

What a tremendous truth!  Our God showed Himself to us in a human body!  He wanted us to see Him.  The disciples said that they handled Him.   They touched God!  Incredible!  Our God loved us so much that He manifested, revealed, Himself in a human body.  This verse clearly reveals that Jesus Christ is God.  We are to treat Him as such.  It doesn’t matter what any other group or theologian says, God was manifested in the flesh.  Jesus was God in the flesh and we are to worship, obey and preach Jesus to others.  Today, as you walk through your day, enjoy the fellowship you have with a God who wanted to fellowship with us enough that He became flesh and lived among us. 

Proverbs - Parenting

Proverbs 13:24

He that spareth his rod hateth his son:

but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The rod represents instruction and training.  A rod would be used not only to strike something but as a measurement in building things.  As parents, we can often fall into a terrible pattern of indifference to what our children are doing or are not doing.  We fail to bring them before the Lord and ask Him what we could do to help lift a standard in their lives or bring about consequences that will help them trust the Lord in matters of life.  Whenever we are lazy in these things, we are NOT actively loving our children.  When we use correction, whether it involve a physical consequence in a controlled, non-angry way, or situational consequence, we are, in fact, loving our children.

We must not grow weary in well doing.   In due season, we shall reap if we don’t give up.  Our rod is a consistent standard rooted in eternal truths and we will conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the calling we have received as parents.  We are not to look at a situation with our children through the eyes of how it will affect US, but how can I train THEM in the way THEY should go.  Consistency and attentiveness to their character and choices will result in children who will understand love rooted in truth and commitment. 

If we find ourselves inconsistent and lazy, holding back the ‘rod’, we must cry out to the Lord for the perseverance and consistency that He has with US.  We must not believe our adversary who desires us to back down and seek first our own kingdom.  If the Lord has given you children, He has given you this calling.  We are responsible to hold high the Lord’s standard and implement those measures that will help our children understand consequences before they leave home and experience consequences far beyond the pain of loving discipline.  We are loved by a God who is consistent and His laws hold true.  He is perfecting that which concerns us.

May we know His heart towards our children and seek to reflect the same commitment and love. If you do not have children of your own, pray for those dearest to you who have such a great responsibility.

Knowing God - The Lord Publishes His Word

Ps 68:11

 The Lord gave the word:

great was the company of those that published it.

The Lord Publishes His Word

The Word of the Lord is powerful.  He speaks and the reverberation of His voice is absolutely predictable.  His voice is like the thunders and goes wherever He sends it.  His Word is alive and goes on and on touching lives and revealing God’s heart and presence.  GREAT was the company of those that published it.  When we expose ourselves to His Word, whether by pastoral teaching, personal reading or other means, we open ourselves up to a source of life that resonates through our lives and can’t help but manifest itself to this dying world around us.  Never underestimate the potential that God’s Word has when the Lord gives it.  Stand in awe.  Mix it with faith and know that you and I are part of that great company who publish it!

Proverbs - Are We 'Tilling' the Land We Have?

Proverbs 13:23

Much food is in the tillage of the poor:

 but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

The Lord has set up a law concerning diligence and provision.  As a result, the opposite holds true as well – laziness creates lack. 

Here we learn that even if we are poor according to the standards we understand, if we ‘till’ or ‘work diligently’ we will have plenty of food.  This word ‘tillage’ means to plow or work the land.  It is a word associated with freshly plowed land.  A poor farmer who doesn’t have much but is careful to faithfully tend to what he DOES have is promised food.  A freshly plowed land implies it was not done a long time ago and has been left to harden with the weather conditions but tended to DAILY to prepare the ground and keep it ready for the seed.

We are often tempted with looking at what we don’t have.  A poor farmer could spend his days looking in barns where lack of grain exists or…he could go out in the field and prepare the land with a patience that knows he is dependent upon God and responsible to plow that will eventually produce the grain, the barns can receive. 

         

Brothers and sisters, we must stop looking BEYOND the fields the Lord has given us; the catalogs, the advertisements, friends and family, and take care of what He has already GIVEN us.  We must be people who have a sense of judgment concerning what is worth our time and investment and what may, in fact, be wasted concerns resulting in land that is drying in the summer sun and barns that remain empty due to our own laziness and wandering hearts. 

If we lack judgment we will be destroyed, but if we take what the Lord has given us and diligently tend to it, we will not lack what we need.  Take inventory of the ‘fields’ the Lord has given you.  Your car, clothing, home, body etc..  Are you tending to these things?  Are they clean and maintained?  Are things in order?  Are they ‘freshly plowed’ or neglected while you spend your time in discontentment and covetousness? Ask the Lord for judgment and discretion.  Ask Him to help you know what fields He has given you and how you might be faithful in plowing them.  He promises to bless your labor.

Knowing God - He Has Made All Things for Himself

Prov 16:4

 The Lord hath made all things for himself: ….

This is quite the truth.  The Lord has made ALL things for Himself.  He created colors, people, animals, abstract concepts, seasons, planets, air, and microscopic entities, all for Himself.  This means that if we want to make sense out of our existence we need to be in a place of instruction from Him.  He has purposes for everything and we are to be in a place where we look to Him for His leading in order to cooperate with His purposes for all we see and don’t see.  Did you know He wants to use your house, your clothes, your marriage and your trials for Himself?  Did you realize that all you see and experience is meant to be used by the Lord for His purposes?  This should help you embrace your life if you are under His Lordship knowing that He is in all you see and experience.

Proverbs - A True Inheritance

Proverbs 13:21-22

 Evil pursueth sinners:

but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

 A good man leaveth an inheritance

 to his children's children:

 and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Choosing to walk in obedience to God, leads to paths that are less complicated than the path of sin.  When we are doing those things that are good and righteous we not only enjoy our lives more but leave an inheritance to the next generation.  I have attended many funerals and find it quite interesting that a person’s character and lifestyle are remembered MORE than belongings, achievements or notoriety.  Our example is what will affect our children and our children’s children.

As we seek the Lord to please and honor Him with our lives, the generational impact is far greater than we consider in the present.  Leaving a godly heritage to our family is the most valuable inheritance they could have.  Don’t ever diminish or consider a life lived for Christ as anything less than an investment with great returns.  Our current choices will go into the next generation and the one after that.  To the righteous, good shall be repaid and a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.

Knowing God - His 'IF's are to be considered only

Luke 4:4

 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

                                                         

The Lord spoke to the devil’s challenge of his identity.  The devil told Him that IF He was the Son of God He should do what the devil told him to do in order to prove it.  The Lord showed us a great truth.  He never let the devil define conditions that He would obey.

 The Lord’s Word is the only word that any of us are to submit to in absolute obedience.  It is His “if” statements that should lead us.  IF we are risen with Christ we should seek those things which are above.  IF we live in the Spirit, we should walk in the Spirit.  IF any of us lacks wisdom, let us ask for it.  IF any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.  It is every Word of God that should illicit response.  The challenges of our adversary are rooted in the destroyer’s intent.  We can escape these things IF we follow the Lord’s example and ignore the devil’s challenges and take heed to God’s commands.                                             

Proverbs - Friendship Criteria

Proverbs 13:20

 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:

but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

WHO we hang out with affects the development of OUR character.  The Lord is giving us His warning on this matter.  We have the ability to choose whom we will invest time in and which relationships we will cultivate.  Each of us is given only twenty-four hours in a day.  This time is a gift from the Lord and we need to seek how He would have us use them.  When we are on the phone or visiting someone or talking with someone on the internet, we should be consciously aware if that person is someone we should walk with or consider as a companion. 

Jesus wants us to love and reach out to everyone, but to consider someone as a companion or someone with whom we are walking side by side, should be evaluated in the light of wisdom.  Is this person a wise person? 

·       Do they fear the Lord and are more concerned about pleasing Him than being right or comfortable?

·       Do they seek God’s judgment on matters through His Word and wise counsel?

·       Do they honor their husbands and love their children?

·       Are they content and thankful with the financial situation the Lord has them in?

·       Are they someone who knows it is dangerous to have self-confidence?

·       Are they humble in their thinking and open to correction?

·       Does this person build up their home with their words and attitudes?

This verse tells us that we will be wise if we have wise friends.  One of the best things we can do in becoming wise people is to choose our friends carefully.  A companion of fools will be destroyed.  Is this person a foolish person?

·       Are they busybodies or gossips?

·       Is the person contentious and always in conflict based upon self-interest?

·       Does this person tear down their house in words or choices?

·       Is this person slothful and lazy?

·       Does this person spend a lot of time comparing themselves with others?

·       Is this person immodest and flippant in their choice of clothing and mannerisms?

·       Is this person someone who does things behind their mate’s back in secret?

·       Does this person vent all they feel?

                                                                                        

These are just a few questions we can ask when choosing a walking companion. If you find yourself already walking with a fool, gently wean yourself from them in love.  Stay committed to the person but NOT the relationship.  If you do not have anyone in your life that is wise, become that wise person that someone else will want to walk with.

Knowing God - He Blesses Obedience

Gen 22:18

 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Abram was being told that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through his descendents.  It wasn’t some sort of mystical, genetic blessing but a blessing based upon obedience.  The Lord was going to bless all the nations because of one man’s obedience.  We should NEVER underestimate the power and influence of obedience.  It is the Lord’s voice we are to obey and He has shown Himself to bless obedience.  We often want blessings but don’t focus on obedience.  The Lord is blessed by and blesses obedience.  It is something we can give Him.  Let’s give Him obedience today and trust that He knows who and how to bless.

Proverbs - Accomplished Desires

Proverbs 13:19

 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:

but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

When we have a desire we are often tempted to make it happen on OUR terms on OUR time schedule.  We must realize that desires are often placed in our hearts by the Lord with His intention of fulfilling or accomplishing them.  We sometimes confuse desire with goals.  Goals are often very defined and able to be accomplished, with His help, in a very disciplined and structured manner.  Desires are things that come up in our hearts and are to be brought before the Lord in prayer and He is to be sought concerning any direction He might have for us.  When these desires are of Him and defined BY Him, they are accomplished BY Him.  The result is a sweet experience as we reflect on their beginnings and their accomplishment. 

We must be cautious when we have a desire, not to try to bring it about in our OWN strength and our OWN terms.  Sometimes we are tricked by our adversary to use evil means to bring about something that might, in fact, be noble.  We will be foolish if we are hasty with our feet or words.  We must wait on the Lord concerning our desires and depart from any sort of evil strategies that might present themselves in order to see these desires fulfilled.  Then, the Lord will be glorified and we will be wise people who are not controlled by the desires our heart.

Knowing God - He Decides if We are His

Matt 7:21

 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

The Lord is revealing His place as judge here.  He is establishing that our WORDS do not define who we are but our ACTIONS.  Our God is the One who decides who enters the kingdom of heaven.   There is much ‘preaching’ these days about words – positive words, faith-filled words and words of life.  It seems like the message people are getting today is aimed at rewriting a script we are all supposed to memorize and say.  The Lord is dealing with CHOICES in this verse.  Our God is looking at what we ACTUALLY do or don’t do.  Our God is evaluating if we are seeking to do what HE wants us to do or what WE want to do.  It is not just calling Him our Father that establishes a father/child relationship, but it is in submission to Him that manifests our true colors as children of God. 

Proverbs - Be a Person Who Receives Instruction

Proverbs 13:18

 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction:

but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.

When we regard reproof we will be honored.  To regard reproof means that we want to be shown where we are falling short or where we need to improve.  Anyone that is good at anything got there by finding out what they were doing wrong.  The Lord is so good.  He never shows us where we are wrong without sending the instruction to teach us how to do what is right.  He is a good teacher.

 If we want our children to honor us they need to see a mom/dad that is learning, correcting, apologizing and growing.  This creates an environment where the Holy Spirit is welcomed and pride and stubbornness are not.  Our children will honor us if we regard reproof.  When there is humility of mind there is the grace of the Lord.  The presence of the Lord will be obvious to all in our home.  His instruction will flow and our homes will become more and more under His tutorship and leading. 

This verse also deals with our finances.  If we are people who refuse instruction, financial ruin and shame will follow.  This verse lets us know that if we want to be blessed financially we need to be instructed by the Lord through whatever means He sends.  Perhaps we are reaping from impulsive expenditures and accruing exorbitant interest on credit cards.  Are you refusing the instruction of the painful consequences?  Learn from your mistakes.

 Don’t refuse instruction.  Be open to His chastening and correction.  He loves us and all of His discipline is rooted in a heart that loved us enough to give every last drop of blood on our behalf.  He is very smart; in fact, He is the wisdom we need to conduct our lives in a way that is safe and blessed.  Embrace the instruction he gives you and don’t refuse instruction.  Shame and poverty awaits those who refuse instruction but he that regards reproof will receive honor.

Knowing God - God Knows Who We Must Be

                                         1 Tim 3:11

Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

When the Lord Jesus builds His church He knows the material requirements to create a structurally sound entity.  In First Timothy, the Lord goes over the character qualities for men in certain leadership positions.  He also includes what the wives are to be made of.  The Lord knows that men are influenced by their wives and that the church will be functioning at its highest level when the wives of the leaders are women of the caliber He knows is necessary to be the helpers suitable for ministry leadership.  Women have always had great influence.  Consider Eve.  Consider Abigail.  One used their position to influence a situation towards doubt and compromise, the other prevented unnecessary bloodshed and harm.  The Lord is looking at the team in ministry.  Women must realize the Lord is looking at them when He is raising up their husbands. 

Proverbs - Messengers

Proverbs 13:17

 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.

Messengers must be careful when delivering the words or intentions of another.  We are warned that if we are not faithful messengers we will find ourselves suddenly in some trouble.  When we repeat something to our children that their father has said, are we accurately representing him?  If we repeat a matter to a friend are we sure that we aren’t slanting things in our favor or with some sort of mischievous intent behind it?  When we don’t deliver a message in its accuracy, both in content and tone, we can end up in all kinds of conflict and trouble. 

This verse says that we will fall into it.  Falling implies a sudden loss of footing and becoming entrapped in a place beneath a stable surface.  Ladies, we don’t want this kind of unnecessary entrapment.  We want to be faithful ambassadors - faithful to our managers, husbands, friends and the Lord.  When we deliver some sort of message let us be slow to speak and seek to be as gracious and accurate as possible.  If we are not sure about something, we should go back to the one who sent us and then deliver the message.  Let us never fill in the blanks just to get something done.  This way we can walk steadily and bring health to those who hear us without dealing unnecessarily with mischief caused by our own laziness or wickedness. 

Knowing God - The Lord Can Give Rest

2 Chron 20:30

 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.

The Lord is able to give rest round about.  He can quiet our enemies and let us enjoy seasons with minimal conflict and turmoil.   Many of us think this is something the Lord should always do, but it will not be the case.  This truth should help us get through those turbulent seasons knowing that the Lord will most likely give us a season of rest soon and should also help us enjoy those resting times to the fullest.  We can always ask the Lord to give us or someone we are praying for, rest round about, but remember we are asking NOT demanding.  Lord, thank you that you know what seasons we need to produce the most lasting and abundant fruit for you to be glorified!

Proverbs - Prudence is Important

Proverbs 13:16

 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

The book of Proverbs refers to a good wife as a prudent wife.  Any time a woman sees this description she ought to take heed to it and what the Lord considers as prudent. We also see prudence as a quality men should desire as well. Here we see that prudence is associated with a person who conducts themselves with knowledge.  This knowledge is that which one knows to be true and not conjecture or feelings.  A prudent person is one that doesn’t jump to conclusions or fills in the blanks based upon their own mood or reaction to a given situation.  We must be people who are able to deal with our husbands/wives, children, co-workers, finances and other relationships with knowledge. 

We know the balance in our accounts and what financial obligations are in the near future.  We know a person’s track record and their general intentions in matters.  We gain understanding about a conflict or a child’s lack of responsibility in order to deal with the situation with knowledge.  We ask questions and hope for the best before labeling someone or handing out consequences to our children that might be too harsh or too lenient depending on the lack of knowledge.  A foolish woman just lays out her folly.  A foolish man speaks rashly and all he feels.  A foolish person pours out all of their ideas and assumptions without any regard for understanding and knowledge.  A foolish woman tears down her home.  Lord, help us. 

Send us knowledge that will help us deal with things in a way that honors you and produces the decisions you want for our lives.

Knowing God - He May Deliver Us to Our Enemies

                                         Judges13:1

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

The Lord determines what is evil and He determines how He will handle us when we, as His people, do what is evil in His sight.  He is not evaluating our choices in the light of our OWN standards and reasoning.  It is HIS sight that determines whether we are doing evil or not.  Here we see that the Lord allowed His people to be vulnerable and conquered by their enemies because of their evil doings.

 When we find ourselves weak in the presence of our enemies it would be wise for us to first ask our Father in heaven if any of our actions are being dealt with.  It MAY NOT be due to this but we do see that the Lord has dealt with His people like this in the past.  Sometimes we are blinded to our own wickedness and it is at times of great defeat that we are more teachable and open to learning His ways.  We have a heavenly Father that disciplines us for our own good and from a heart of love.  Stay in a place of humble reverence and be open to His dealings with you

Proverbs - The Way of Sin is HARD

Proverbs 13:13-15

 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed:

but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

 The law of the wise is a fountain of life,

to depart from the snares of death.

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

                                                                         

Our attitude towards God’s Word is the very beginning of wisdom.  Do we esteem Him to be right in all matters of life?  Do we ever allow our own understanding to be esteemed a better source of guidance than the very Words of God?  Despising the Word of God is not just summed up in some sort of hatred or loathing; it is an attitude of indifference and neglect.  If we are given some sort of tremendous financial gift and then turn around and live off of others’ support we are despising this gift.  The same is true for the commandments of God.  The Lord has given us His judgment on matters of our lives.  He has preserved His Word for us to be able to discover our Maker’s intent and law on how we should conduct ourselves and understand our existence.  When we have a high regard for His law, our lives spring forth with times of refreshing and life.  When we despise his word we will end up being destroyed.  Understanding things based upon His Word will grant us favor and bless our relationships and pursuits.  If we violate, disregard or transgress His law our path becomes unnecessarily difficult and hard.  Perhaps it is a good time to stop and ask the Lord to give you a proper fear and respect for His commandments expecting to be rewarded as this reverence becomes part of who you are.

Knowing God - He Cares About Those Left Behind

Isa 38:1

 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.

The Lord Cares About Those Left Behind

The Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to Hezekiah to warn him of his impending death.  With this warning came a command.  This command was not about Hezekiah’s relationship with God but his affairs with men.  The Lord was telling Hezekiah to get his finances in order, position people for responsibility and prepare them for his departure.  Preparing a trust or will and being sure that our families are taken care of when we face death are some of the ways we could obey this sort of command to Hezekiah.  The Lord took care of our debt and provided salvation so that when we die we have nothing to worry about.  He has left some of the provisioning and care of those we love to us to take care of.  How precious our God is to know that when someone dies, those left on earth need to sense they have been thought of and cared for.

Proverbs - Wait on the Lord

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick:

but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

                                                                      

Our nature is to want and get something immediately.  Something within us tells us that we deserve it and we deserve it now.   When we have a hope or wish for something and it just isn’t coming right when we can taste it, we can feel rather unsettled, agitated or disturbed.  Our culture has developed things like credit to attempt to cure this sickness of the heart not having its desires met in the timing it desires.  The option of stealing is another remedy for this sickness.  Whining and complaining to our husbands or parents might also be another anecdote for this sickness of the heart.  The Lord knows that our fleshly nature wants things and it wants them now.  The problem is that our old man is kind of like a child in the store demanding the candy bar because he wants it and he wants it now.  Just as if we give in to the tantrums of a child, if we give ourselves everything we crave when we want them, we create a self-centered, impatient and even more demanding character.  When we desire something, we can present this before the Lord who satisfies the soul of every living thing.  Our Father can determine when or if this desire is a good thing for us. No good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.  We bring these desires before Him, trusting His wisdom and love.  He is a good Father.  We seek Him for wisdom and a plan if the desire is out of our reach financially.  We give Him control to build our lives as He sees best.  We surrender our ‘bratty’ nature to the control of the wisdom and providence of our God.  Then, if that desire is met, we find ourselves closer to Him and glorifying Him more than the desire itself.  Our Father reveals Himself as our Provider and the one who blesses and the desire becomes a tree of life inviting everyone to know the God who so perfectly and graciously provided for us.  Let us delight ourselves in Him and allow Him the opportunity to give us the desires of our hearts.

Knowing God - The Lord is Near and Listening

Prov 15:29

 The Lord is far from the wicked:

but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

The Lord Is Near and Listening

Here the Lord lets us know that having Him hear our prayers is likened to having him near to us.   There were no phones in bible days.  The act of listening meant, being in the very presence of the one who was speaking.  Being in the presence of the Lord is absolutely wonderful but have you considered that He is in your presence as well?  He hears the prayers of the righteous.  He is attentive to our petitions, praise, concerns and words.  He is not far for those He considers righteous.  He is listening and He is near.  You don’t have to wait for Him to answer the phone or respond to that text.  He hears.  He is near.

Proverbs - Pride is the Root of Contention

Proverbs 13:10

 Only by pride cometh contention:

 but with the well advised is wisdom.

The scriptures warn us about women being contentious women. The scriptures here warn about men or women who are contentious.  When we are contentious we are hard to get along with.  We are easily annoyed.  We tend to almost want to argue or disagree.  Here is an incredible insight into the source of such an attitude - Pride. Hmmmm - some of you are not surprised.  You know how you are in your view of yourself and others when you get like this.  “It is my way or no way”.  “I deserve this or that”.  “If THEY would change, I wouldn’t be like this.”  Contention involves self-focus.  Oh that we would be people who humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and seek to please Him!  This would cause the contention to cease.  The surprising thing about this verse is that the lord says that contention comes ONLY by pride – not PMS, not due to financial pressures, but ONLY by pride.  Let us come before Him now and ask Him for humility of mind so that we won’t be that contentious woman that is like a dripping faucet or that contentious man who rules from pride resulting in those around him despising his leadership. 

Knowing God - God Speaks to Men

Jer 4:3

      

 For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

The Lord Will Speak to Men

In the process of warning His people, the Lord specifically speaks to the men.  He tells them to break up their fallow ground and not to plant among thorns.  The Lord decided on gender and He knows the roles we each play in His plan.  Men are crucial to the flow of His will in the church and in the home.  Men need prayers and men need to take their roles very seriously.  Many of the New Testament commands and directives are made specifically for men.  It is important for the men of God to be in tune with His voice and respond in zealous obedience at the whisper of His leading.  If you are a gal, take some time to pray for the men of your church, family and country.  If you are a man, be sure to respond quickly and unquestioningly to all He tells you.  The Lord will speak to men.

Proverbs - Our Lives ARE Lamps

Proverbs 13:8-9

 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

All of our lives are like lamps or lights.  We have the potential to illuminate the lives and paths around us.  Our children, husbands/wives, friends and co-workers, have us as examples and the way we live our lives will determine how much our lives will make their ways easier to see.  As people who choose to live righteously, our lights will rejoice.  The presence of righteousness will be shining for all those who are around us.  When we are faced with doing the right thing in the eyes of the Lord and then we choose it, our light is refreshed and shines in a way that is steady and to be relied upon.  If we desire to influence those around us, be sensitive to what may seem like insignificant moral choices.  The Spirit of Truth will speak to you and His Word will be your lamp.  Choose righteousness and expect your lives to help others see.

Knowing God - He Cares About His Servants

1 Tim 3:6

 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

The Lord Cares About His Servants

                                                                  

This is one of the things that the Lord tells us an elder/pastor should NOT be.  He is not to be new in the things of the Lord and in ministry.  The Lord warns that position without experience can cause pride.  He lets us know that pride can lift us up and makes us vulnerable for the devil to come in and start condemning us once we find out that position is difficult and filled with traps our adversary sets for us.  We learn from this verse that the Lord has qualifications for different things.  We learn that God knows what we can handle and what we can’t handle.  We have a God who has reasons for waiting to use us in certain ways.  What a wonderful God.  He doesn’t just care about the job getting done but He cares about those who are working for Him.  I am so glad that promotion comes from the Lord and when I am passed over for some sort of position I can trust that the Lord has my best interest in mind.

Proverbs - True Riches

Proverbs 13:7

 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing:

there is that maketh himself poor,

 yet hath great riches.

Making ourself rich is never to be a pursuit or drive in a believer’s life.  Proverbs 23:4 tells us “Labour not to be rich …” (KJV) Riches and honor are from the Lord.  We find over and over again in the book of Proverbs, admonitions to work hard, uprightly and not to be slothful.  We focus on HOW we work and not WHAT we receive from working. 

Here we see that wealth is measured by God’s standard and His standard alone.  The riches we have in seeking first His kingdom are bountiful and never to be touched by a thief, or corrupted by moth or rust.  Sometimes we make decisions that will not financially benefit us but we find other deposits in the account of our character and frame. 

Daughter of God, enjoy the riches of His grace today, praise Him for all He is to you and seek to make decisions to further His kingdom.  Ask Him to cleanse any greed for gain from your heart and to help you honor Him in your priorities and decisions.  Trust that in choosing His way – you are rich indeed!