As a husband, I am convicted every time I read through Proverbs 31. It reminds me of the gift God has given me in my wife.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Men, our wives deserve our praise. Let's make a special effort today to let them know the preciousness of the gift we have been given by God.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Proverbs 30
2 "I am the most ignorant of men;
I do not have a man's understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
The biggest barrier to my learning may be that I think I already know what I need to know. Maybe the biggest barrier to becoming more like Christ is thinking that I am "good enough" or "close enough" already.
May we be known as a church that is thirsty for the wisdom of God and hungry becoming more like Christ day by day. We need to be "learners and doers" not just "knowers."
A question for us: How can we learn and grow today - in Christ?
I do not have a man's understanding.
3 I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
The biggest barrier to my learning may be that I think I already know what I need to know. Maybe the biggest barrier to becoming more like Christ is thinking that I am "good enough" or "close enough" already.
May we be known as a church that is thirsty for the wisdom of God and hungry becoming more like Christ day by day. We need to be "learners and doers" not just "knowers."
A question for us: How can we learn and grow today - in Christ?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Proverbs 28
19 He who works his land will have abundant food,
but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will be richly blessed,
but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
How often I would prefer to take what seems to be the easier path and yet God wants me to pursue the path that He has put before me. Many times my fantasies seem much more attractive than God's plan. But God is looking for those people that are faithful and committed to Him and those who will persevere in patience.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The Jesus Formula
As our Fellowship Team shared last night about a lot of different things in our lives and what God has been teaching us, I was reminded again of "the Jesus formula for successful communication:
Successful Communication = grace + truth in the proper proportions given the current situation
Have you been able to use this formula this week in your conversations in the various relationships God has positioned you in?
Successful Communication = grace + truth in the proper proportions given the current situation
Have you been able to use this formula this week in your conversations in the various relationships God has positioned you in?
Proverbs 25
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.
Without walls a city is unprotected and chaos prevails. In my life, self-control leads to stability and order. Without self-control, my flesh will overrun my life. Without self-control, self-discipline is impossible. Self-control is absolutely necessary in a life live for and with God.
I have had to use self-control this week to engage with God - to read His Word, to pray and to memorize Ephesians 4:29. To be honest, most days those were not MY first choices, but they were my best choices.
is a man who lacks self-control.
Without walls a city is unprotected and chaos prevails. In my life, self-control leads to stability and order. Without self-control, my flesh will overrun my life. Without self-control, self-discipline is impossible. Self-control is absolutely necessary in a life live for and with God.
I have had to use self-control this week to engage with God - to read His Word, to pray and to memorize Ephesians 4:29. To be honest, most days those were not MY first choices, but they were my best choices.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Proverbs 24
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause,
or use your lips to deceive.
As we learned last weekend how our words are powerful. My goal should always be to use my words in positive and encouraging ways. My that be true of my words today.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
or use your lips to deceive.
As we learned last weekend how our words are powerful. My goal should always be to use my words in positive and encouraging ways. My that be true of my words today.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Proverbs 23
31 Do not gaze at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
How easily I can be enticed by things that shine and sparkle and seem to go down smoothly. God give me the strength today to resist the enticing things of this world and engage only with what is honoring to You and our relationship.
My action plan for today is to be aware of what draws my heart and to choose to engage only with those things that bring me closer to God.
I think I have Ephesians 4:29 pretty much down - now just need to commit to it and apply it. How is your memorizing going and what did God speak to you through Proverbs 23?
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly!
How easily I can be enticed by things that shine and sparkle and seem to go down smoothly. God give me the strength today to resist the enticing things of this world and engage only with what is honoring to You and our relationship.
My action plan for today is to be aware of what draws my heart and to choose to engage only with those things that bring me closer to God.
I think I have Ephesians 4:29 pretty much down - now just need to commit to it and apply it. How is your memorizing going and what did God speak to you through Proverbs 23?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Proverbs 22
17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
As I read Proverbs 22 this morning, these verses jumped out at me and encouraged me that wisdom is a process that we must pursue. It starts with us being attentive to the wisdom that comes our way and then making a choice to listen to it and then choosing to believe it as being wise and then finally applying it in our lives.
These verses also encouraged me to work on memorizing Ephesian 4:29. How is your memorizing going so far?
apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
As I read Proverbs 22 this morning, these verses jumped out at me and encouraged me that wisdom is a process that we must pursue. It starts with us being attentive to the wisdom that comes our way and then making a choice to listen to it and then choosing to believe it as being wise and then finally applying it in our lives.
These verses also encouraged me to work on memorizing Ephesian 4:29. How is your memorizing going so far?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Memorizing Ephesians 4:29
As I was working on memorizing Ephesians 4:29 this morning, I thought it might be good to work on it "together!"
When memorizing, it can often be helpful to "break it down" into smaller chunks, so I am trying to get the first part of the verse down today which is:
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
My plan for the week is to break it down as follows:
Monday - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
Tuesday - but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
Wednesday - that it may benefit those who listen.
Thursday to Sunday - all of it
To also help myself and my family I threw together some "verse cards" - you can download a copy from HERE. I will be giving them to the family and will post some around my desk area and carry a few around with me so I will be reminded often.
When memorizing, it can often be helpful to "break it down" into smaller chunks, so I am trying to get the first part of the verse down today which is:
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
My plan for the week is to break it down as follows:
Monday - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
Tuesday - but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
Wednesday - that it may benefit those who listen.
Thursday to Sunday - all of it
To also help myself and my family I threw together some "verse cards" - you can download a copy from HERE. I will be giving them to the family and will post some around my desk area and carry a few around with me so I will be reminded often.
Proverbs 21
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
A good reminder today that at the end of the day victory is ultimately up to God. Victory is God's business - not mine. My part is to simply ready myself for this day, ready myself to be used by God in whatever way He sees fit. Lord, have your way with us today.
Share your thought that God gave you today from Proverbs 21 by clicking the "Comments" link below.
but victory rests with the LORD.
A good reminder today that at the end of the day victory is ultimately up to God. Victory is God's business - not mine. My part is to simply ready myself for this day, ready myself to be used by God in whatever way He sees fit. Lord, have your way with us today.
Share your thought that God gave you today from Proverbs 21 by clicking the "Comments" link below.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Becoming Wise: Wise Words
Let's seek to use our words with wisdom this coming week. Our words are powerful, use them for good this week.
Try to memorize Ephesians 4:29 in the coming week.
The Think It Through can be found here.
Try to memorize Ephesians 4:29 in the coming week.
The Think It Through can be found here.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Proverbs 18
22 He who finds a wife finds what is good
and receives favor from the LORD.
I was convicted by the above verse this morning as a husband. I know this is true, but I often do not express it as if it is true in my marriage.
I pray this morning for myself and for all of us husbands that we would not only know the truth of this verse but that we would be able to express it to our wives in the context of our marriages. My action point for today is to express the reality of this verse to my wife.
What wisdom did God give you today? Let's be ones that "live the Word" today.
and receives favor from the LORD.
I was convicted by the above verse this morning as a husband. I know this is true, but I often do not express it as if it is true in my marriage.
I pray this morning for myself and for all of us husbands that we would not only know the truth of this verse but that we would be able to express it to our wives in the context of our marriages. My action point for today is to express the reality of this verse to my wife.
What wisdom did God give you today? Let's be ones that "live the Word" today.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Proverbs 17
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Since the message for this coming weekend is going to center around using our words wisely, this verse naturally caught my attention this morning. God is a God or relationship and one of the tools He has provided us with to advance our relationships through communication is words and speech. But how easy it is to speak in ways or at times that are inappropriate. Sometimes we just simply need to have restraint with our words.
I am certain that God will give me opportunities today to put this verse into action today. God give me the wisdom and the strength today to exercise appropriate restraint with my words, thoughts and actions.
How did God use Proverbs 17 in your life today?
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Since the message for this coming weekend is going to center around using our words wisely, this verse naturally caught my attention this morning. God is a God or relationship and one of the tools He has provided us with to advance our relationships through communication is words and speech. But how easy it is to speak in ways or at times that are inappropriate. Sometimes we just simply need to have restraint with our words.
I am certain that God will give me opportunities today to put this verse into action today. God give me the wisdom and the strength today to exercise appropriate restraint with my words, thoughts and actions.
How did God use Proverbs 17 in your life today?
It's Not A Good Night To Be An Atheist
I read this encouraging story on another blog this morning and thought I'd pass it along to all you baseball fans and God fans. The story as it appeared on Dave Ferguson's blog is as follows:If you are a baseball fan then you watched Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers set a new single round record with 28 homers in the first round of Home Run Derby. Much more amazing is Josh Hamilton's story of how God saved him from a life of drugs and alcohol that almost ruined him. He said, "When I get the urge to have a drink or do something I'm not supposed to do, I think about what a hypocrite I would be to my Christianity and my sobriety." He continued, "My wife told me in the midst of my addiction that God was going to let me get back to baseball." Then Josh Hamilton added, "Being able to share my story, that's what it's all about."
If you want to read more about his story here is one version in the Dallas News. My favorite line of the night was from one of the ESPN announcers while Hamilton was clobbering homer after homer out of Yankee Stadium, "It's not a good night to be an atheist."
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Put It Into Practice
One thing I was challenged with at HSLT this year was to find something from scripture that I can DO each day. I've tried to do this in the past but I have not been able to sustain it over the long haul and I think God was challenging me to give it another try.
So with God's nudging and His grace I have been attempting this again in the past few days and I just wanted to share how God has been using it in my life.
Yesterday, the verse I felt like God wanted me to apply was:
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
I applied this verse by meeting with several people throughout the day and seeking their counsel.
Today:
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)
3 Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
Several leaders from Day Seven met this morning and we committed plans for the week to the LORD.
1) Passing out flyers for a FREE car wash and hotdogs this Saturday at the OPs Center from 10am - 1pm
2) The event on Saturday
3) Starting a kid's time at Day Seven this week for infants through 6 years of age
4) Services for Day Seven and Summitview this week
I trust these will succeed according to God's will.
What are you applying in your life from God's Word?
So with God's nudging and His grace I have been attempting this again in the past few days and I just wanted to share how God has been using it in my life.
Yesterday, the verse I felt like God wanted me to apply was:
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
I applied this verse by meeting with several people throughout the day and seeking their counsel.
Today:
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)
3 Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
Several leaders from Day Seven met this morning and we committed plans for the week to the LORD.
1) Passing out flyers for a FREE car wash and hotdogs this Saturday at the OPs Center from 10am - 1pm
2) The event on Saturday
3) Starting a kid's time at Day Seven this week for infants through 6 years of age
4) Services for Day Seven and Summitview this week
I trust these will succeed according to God's will.
What are you applying in your life from God's Word?
Proverbs 16
Proverbs 16:3 has been a verse that I have tried to live by for much of my Christian life.
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Sometimes I'm able to act on this verse and apply it in my life and other times I fail. What I've found is that when I apply this verse in my life - when I commit the stuff in my life to God through prayer - then success follows. But I've also had to learn that sometimes it's not success as I'd define success and sometimes I have to wait for much longer than I'd like for God to show me the success from His perspective.
An Old Testament king that was able to get this right more often than not was Hezekiah. I read this verse this morning as well:
2 Chronicles 31:21 (NLT)
21 In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow the law and the commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.
May we as followers of Christ at Day Seven and Summitview humbly grow in this.
What did God teach you today?
Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Sometimes I'm able to act on this verse and apply it in my life and other times I fail. What I've found is that when I apply this verse in my life - when I commit the stuff in my life to God through prayer - then success follows. But I've also had to learn that sometimes it's not success as I'd define success and sometimes I have to wait for much longer than I'd like for God to show me the success from His perspective.
An Old Testament king that was able to get this right more often than not was Hezekiah. I read this verse this morning as well:
2 Chronicles 31:21 (NLT)
21 In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow the law and the commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.
May we as followers of Christ at Day Seven and Summitview humbly grow in this.
What did God teach you today?
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Becoming Wise - Part 4
This week there were different teachings at Day Seven and Summitview. The respective Think It Throughs can be found below:
Day Seven
Summitview
Let's be faithful with God's Word this week.
Day Seven
Summitview
Let's be faithful with God's Word this week.
Friday, July 11, 2008
HSLT Messages Available for Download
The messages from HSLT can be downloaded from the HSLT blog. Look at the top of the right sidebar.
Proverbs 11
Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity
I was reminded again by this verse this morning that integrity is all about being the same person wherever I am at. Whether at work or at home, with friends, family or strangers, God wants us to be who He made us to be. I don't have to try to be like anyone else. God simply wants us to be "straight up" who He created us to be. No more and no less.
How easy it is have duplicity in our lives. It is so tempting to be one way at church and another way at home or at work.
God help me (us) to be genuine, not double-minded; not boastful, but humble; not exaggerators but diligently truthful.
Did God give you a reminder from Proverbs today? If so, encourage everyone else by sharing it here.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity
I was reminded again by this verse this morning that integrity is all about being the same person wherever I am at. Whether at work or at home, with friends, family or strangers, God wants us to be who He made us to be. I don't have to try to be like anyone else. God simply wants us to be "straight up" who He created us to be. No more and no less.
How easy it is have duplicity in our lives. It is so tempting to be one way at church and another way at home or at work.
God help me (us) to be genuine, not double-minded; not boastful, but humble; not exaggerators but diligently truthful.
Did God give you a reminder from Proverbs today? If so, encourage everyone else by sharing it here.
HSLT is Underway!
HSLT got off to a great start yesterday evening. We hung out together and had some pizza and then we all headed over to Summitview, Ft. Collins to worship and hear an excellent message by Pastor Bill Young from Salt Lake City on being excellent servants for God - becoming F.A.T - faithful, available, and thankful.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Proverbs 10
As I was reading today's Proverb, verse 7 caught my attention:
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
And I started thinking about the kind of legacy (memory) that I will leave behind. As I continued to read through Proverbs 10, God brought to my mind several ways I'd like to be remembered:
Have a great day in the LORD! What did God teach you today?
The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
And I started thinking about the kind of legacy (memory) that I will leave behind. As I continued to read through Proverbs 10, God brought to my mind several ways I'd like to be remembered:
- willing to submit to authority (v8)
- man of integrity (v9)
- uses words with discernment (v11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32)
- heart for people (v12)
- man of knowledge (v14)
- use money wisely (v16, 22)
- willing to learn (v17, 23)
- seeker of God's will (v24)
- stands firm (v25, 30)
- hard worker (v26)
- joyful (v28)
- peaceful and gentle (v29)
Have a great day in the LORD! What did God teach you today?
HSLT Prayer
If you get a moment, please offer up prayers for HSLT (High School Leadership Training) that starts this evening. Pray that God would use this time to raise up young men and women of courage and integrity. That He would heal hearts and that there would be some teens/parents that come to know the Lord for the first and teens/parents that would make a choice to commit their life to being a Christ-follower in a greater way.
Thanks for your prayers.
Thanks for your prayers.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Proverbs 9
Proverbs 9:17
"Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!"
How true is that! The deception of sin can be overwhelming. Although I have many stories of my own that I could share, I'll share a story of my 5 year old from yesterday.
Yesterday, he enjoyed a "legal" jawbreaker mid-morning. About an hour later the box was still on the counter and he couldn't avoid the temptation to have just one more - "illegally." So he took it upon himself to have another one which I am sure he enjoyed immensely - right up until he was found out by his sister who then ratted him out!!
Sin can seem so alluring and delicious but it always has consequences attached - always. Nothing is done in absolute secret - nothing.
"Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!"
How true is that! The deception of sin can be overwhelming. Although I have many stories of my own that I could share, I'll share a story of my 5 year old from yesterday.
Yesterday, he enjoyed a "legal" jawbreaker mid-morning. About an hour later the box was still on the counter and he couldn't avoid the temptation to have just one more - "illegally." So he took it upon himself to have another one which I am sure he enjoyed immensely - right up until he was found out by his sister who then ratted him out!!
Sin can seem so alluring and delicious but it always has consequences attached - always. Nothing is done in absolute secret - nothing.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Proverbs 8
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
Good reminder that life is found not in myself or in the things of this world, but rather life is found in God alone. Simple but true. So to find true life, I must seek and find God and life as God intends will happen. Simple but true.
For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
Good reminder that life is found not in myself or in the things of this world, but rather life is found in God alone. Simple but true. So to find true life, I must seek and find God and life as God intends will happen. Simple but true.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Proverbs 7
Proverbs 7:7-9 (NIV)
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
Much of my life can seem innocent enough - so much so that I often don't give it much thought. But I was reminded today that that is a dangerous place to be and that I need to always be paying attention so that I am certain that I am in the right place and engaging with the right things. In short I need to live with discernment.
What wisdom did God give to you today?
I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
Much of my life can seem innocent enough - so much so that I often don't give it much thought. But I was reminded today that that is a dangerous place to be and that I need to always be paying attention so that I am certain that I am in the right place and engaging with the right things. In short I need to live with discernment.
What wisdom did God give to you today?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Becoming Wise: Maximum Goodness
Bumper stickers around the country applaud doing “Random Acts of Kindness!” Does this concept connect with the wisdom of God? According to the sovereignty of God, can anything be random and somehow not be covered by His ultimate Will? By the way, what is goodness? Is there a way to be both spontaneous and purposeful in being good? How can we maximize our ability to be good? Does goodness have appropriate boundaries and what are they? Let us journey through Proverbs concerning the goodness of God and how He wants us to reflect His image.
The Think It Through for this week can be found here.
The Think It Through for this week can be found here.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Proverbs 4
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
My heart can so easily be drawn to so many things that are not honoring to God. One way that I can guard my heart is to make a point to be in God's Word on a daily basis. I find that my heart is more easily drawn towards earthly junk if I don't take the time to be in the presence of God daily.
Did you hear from God today?
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
My heart can so easily be drawn to so many things that are not honoring to God. One way that I can guard my heart is to make a point to be in God's Word on a daily basis. I find that my heart is more easily drawn towards earthly junk if I don't take the time to be in the presence of God daily.
Did you hear from God today?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3:1 (NIV)
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
From this Proverb I got both a reminder and a warning.
Reminder:
As a parent, it is my (our) responsibility to teach my (our) kids. It's not the church nor is it the educational system but it's mine. The church and the educational system can be excellent tools but according to God it's not their responsibility to teach my kids - it's my responsibility as a parent.
Warning:
Teaching is not enough, I must also be a good example to my kids. Our example reinforces our teaching. If I teach one thing but do another that's called hypocrisy and it will inoculate my kids from God.
The writer of the majority of Proverbs was Solomon, a man of great understanding and knowledge however in the later years of his life he failed as an example to his kids. Tragically he pointed the way to wisdom but he didn't walk in it all of his life. And as a result, his son, Rehoboam, did not follow Solomon's teaching and counsel but rather followed his example and his son became a foolish and foolish ruler.
As a parent, I must teach it and walk it.
What wisdom did God give you today?
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
From this Proverb I got both a reminder and a warning.
Reminder:
As a parent, it is my (our) responsibility to teach my (our) kids. It's not the church nor is it the educational system but it's mine. The church and the educational system can be excellent tools but according to God it's not their responsibility to teach my kids - it's my responsibility as a parent.
Warning:
Teaching is not enough, I must also be a good example to my kids. Our example reinforces our teaching. If I teach one thing but do another that's called hypocrisy and it will inoculate my kids from God.
The writer of the majority of Proverbs was Solomon, a man of great understanding and knowledge however in the later years of his life he failed as an example to his kids. Tragically he pointed the way to wisdom but he didn't walk in it all of his life. And as a result, his son, Rehoboam, did not follow Solomon's teaching and counsel but rather followed his example and his son became a foolish and foolish ruler.
As a parent, I must teach it and walk it.
What wisdom did God give you today?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Proverbs 2
Verse 6 of Proverbs 2 says - "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
My thought today was that God's wisdom comes from His knowledge and He gives us the cognitive ability to understand His knowledge. But even when we understand the knowledge of God we still must take the initiative to apply it in our lives and it is only when we apply it does it become real wisdom in that it positively impacts His kingdom and our lives.
Knowledge comes from God and He gives us the ability to understand it and once we understand it we must choose to apply it and only then does it become wisdom that makes a difference.
What knowledge did God grant you today? What is your understanding of His knowledge? How are you going to apply your understanding of His knowledge in your life?
My thought today was that God's wisdom comes from His knowledge and He gives us the cognitive ability to understand His knowledge. But even when we understand the knowledge of God we still must take the initiative to apply it in our lives and it is only when we apply it does it become real wisdom in that it positively impacts His kingdom and our lives.
Knowledge comes from God and He gives us the ability to understand it and once we understand it we must choose to apply it and only then does it become wisdom that makes a difference.
What knowledge did God grant you today? What is your understanding of His knowledge? How are you going to apply your understanding of His knowledge in your life?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Proverbs 1
The overriding message I got from this morning's reading of Proverbs 1 was the idea of being proactive in my relationship with God. At times, I can be reactive in the sense that I put expectations on God to fix things when they go wrong and maybe I'll reactively cry out to God, "Fix it!" It's reactive because when I find myself doing that it is typically because I haven't been being proactive in my relationship with God - I haven't been consistently pursuing Him - and so I feel I have to cry out to Him. Whereas, if I have been proactively pursuing Him then I feel like He is already aware and active (although this always true I don't sense it) in whatever issue I am having at the moment.
It's a subtle difference for me but in Proverbs 1 I was reminded that it's wise to pursue an ongoing, consistent, proactive relationship with God and not just pursue Him when I get into to trouble.
What did God teach you today about wisdom from Proverbs 1?
It's a subtle difference for me but in Proverbs 1 I was reminded that it's wise to pursue an ongoing, consistent, proactive relationship with God and not just pursue Him when I get into to trouble.
What did God teach you today about wisdom from Proverbs 1?
Proverbs 27
Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
My job is to simply live life according to God's standards the best I know how and God will take care of the outcomes and the results. Judgement is God's deal - not mine or anybody elses.
What wisdom did God reveal to you today?
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