Amazed: Grace

We kicked-off a new series this weekend called "Amazed" and we are asking God to heighten our sense of wonder and awe of who God is and what He is doing in the world around us.

The first week we explored God's amazing grace.

The Think It Through for this week can be found here.

Proverbs 25

28 Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.

This verse got me thinking about the purposes of the walls of a city. The walls of a city provide protection for the city and more specifically protection for the people of the city. Our self-control provides protection for us. When we lack self-control we will be exposed to danger.

I have always thought it was interesting that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. That the only way to grow in self-control is to be connected to something outside of ourselves - the Spirit of God.

Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

How did God speak to you through His Word today?

Becoming Wise: Trust

The Think It Through for this week can be found here.

Proverbs 22

I didn't get very far this morning before a verse jumped out and grabbed me!

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

A "good name" is a good testimony for Jesus but a "bad name" is a poor reflection on Christ.

God give me wisdom today to be a good witness for You.

Proverbs 21

17 He who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.

I can certainly relate to this verse. Our family was recently on vacation. I always seem to struggle on vacation because for me a vacation is a playground for my flesh and my flesh craves pleasure. And since I'm "on vacation" I can tend to justify a lot of pleasures. And now that I'm back, I need to constantly be reminding myself that "real pleasure" comes from God and is found in God - not in the things of this world.

It's not that God wants me to not experience pleasure in my life but when my pleasures are selfish and are put above God then they become idols that feed my flesh and they drive a wedge between my relationship with God.

What can you relate to from today's reading from Proverbs 21?

Church Picnic!

Don't forget about the church picnic on Friday evening!

Proverbs 20

9 Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin"?

Let's face it, I sin, you sin, we all sin. Thanks be to God that He has provided THE answer for our sin - the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus washes us clean. The blood of Jesus yields forgiveness. The blood of Jesus brings life - eternal life.

If you know Christ, take a moment today to thank God for His Son, Jesus. If you don't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, why not?

Proverbs 19

11 A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense

No doubt I need more patience in my life. I need patience when frustrated, when anxious, when confused, when troubled when ... - I guess I need patience at all times. This verse says that patience comes from wisdom so I guess I need wisdom in order to find patience.

Lord give me wisdom today so I can find patience.

Becoming Wise: Anger vs. Madness

This week's Think It Through can be found here.

Proverbs 15

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.

Both of these verses ring true this morning. I was in a conversation where a harsh word stirred up anger in me. Then, being impatient, I made things worse. What to do?

I need to work on being patient.

In this case, I initiated a conversation because I needed some information about something specific. However, the information was not forthcoming and there were some harsh responses instead. What I should have done was be patient, putting my needs aside, and find out what's going on with the other person -- having a conversation with them to meet their needs and trusting that God will meet mine one way or another.

I think I'll do that now...

Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

Proverbs 14:15
A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.

Proverbs shows us that is it wise to plan out and give thought to your ways before acting. I find that in my life, when I am quick to jump into something (actions or words) - I tend to follow my flesh and do what is wrong. However, when I stop to contemplate my actions, the Holy Spirit has a chance to speak and guide me in the right direction.

Proverbs 14:22
Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 13

13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

I notice in my life that when I am filled up with pride, it's the "I'm right, and everyone else is wrong" mind set, and when somebody tries to talk to me, there isn't always a problem between them and me, but little do they know in my heart there is a quarrel going on.

It says here, that wisdom is found in those who take advice... When I take advice from someone, (setting pride aside) right away I'm showing that I am in need of help with something, not that I have a weakness, but that I don't have everything in life figured out, now that sounds wise!

Jesus' twelve disciples were considered wise, and they were less than perfect. When pride got the best of them, there were quarrels, and if you ask me, I'd say they were very wise people in taking advice from Jesus himself.

May we do the same, and ask God for the advice, then follow through with what God would have us do with what he tells us, even if it isn’t what WE thought we should do.

Proverbs 12

23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself,
but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

Do you ever notice how tempting it is to pass on that juicy
bit of information you just learned, whether it is juicy or not?

There's something in us that wants to one-up the person we're
talking to -- as a result, every little thing we experience, learn,
or hear tends to become part of our conversation. And our
conversation becomes shallow and meaningless.

God calls this folly and calls us fools for doing this.

I may be tempted to blurt out every little thing, but it is prudent
to keep it to myself and learn to listen in humility rather than
sprinkle a conversation with every little tidbit I can get in.

Proverbs 11

The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. (v. 6) The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. (v. 8) The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. (v 19)

Proverbs 11 reminds us of what a blessing it is to lead a righteous life. Not only are we rewarded in heaven, but often times it makes things a lot easier in our present life.

I know in my life there is a tremendous amount of peace when I know that I am on the path that God has me on. On the other hand, if I'm straying from it - my evil desires do eventually get me into trouble.

Verse 19 reminds us that the only truly fulfilling life is on of righteousness; anything short of that will leave us empty.

Becoming Wise: Compassion

The Think It Through for this weekend's teaching can be found here.

Proverbs 8

Prov.8:34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
Ever wander what it means to be blessed? Does it mean material things? Money? Good health? Maybe even answered prayers? Here I think it is talking about gaining wisdom, growing in understanding, maturing in Christ, deeping our walk with God. What about the ability to see life from God’s perspective?

Proverbs chapter 8 is talking about Wisdom’s call, the first thought that crosses my mind when I read the second part about “watching daily at my doors, and waiting at my doorway.” Reminds me of a dog we had once, always waiting for us to arrive home, sitting there anxiously, nothing else mattered, she would lie there at the door and wait for the door to open and for us to walk in.

Do we do this with God? Are we just so excited to wake up in the morning and spend time with Him? Are we lying there anxiously the night before? Just wandering what God wants to speak to us about in his word? Or are we waiting at the church doors, ready to serve him, and excited to hear the teaching from his word?

I find that in my life the more excited that I am about God, anxious to hear from him, the more I get out of his word, and the more clearer his word is to me, and all the more that I’m going to hear from him, and receive his blessing. (Wisdom)

Proverbs 7

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths
26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Have you ever warned your sons about the adulterous wife? Maybe not. What about today's equivalents? Things like internet and print pornography, R-rated movies, explicit music, the reason behind the exploitation of women in advertising, etc.

If Solomon lived in our day and age, I'm sure he would have talked about all of these as well as discussing dating and proper relationships with girls. We should do no less with our sons.

Proverbs 6

1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
if you have struck hands in pledge for another,

2 if you have been trapped by what you said,
ensnared by the words of your mouth,

3 then do this, my son, to free yourself,
since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands:
Go and humble yourself;
press your plea with your neighbor!

I don't know about you but when I use words that are not not truth, I feel trapped. Of course, the answer according to God is to humble myself and to speak the truth. Truth is freedom, lies are a jail, humility is the key to freedom.

Proverbs 4

14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

A good reminder that I need to be proactive in avoiding evil. Doing evil is a choice and I can either choose to engage in evil or to turn from evil. It reminds me of one of the first verses I ever memorized:

2 Timothy 2:22 -
Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

God, give me the sense to flee evil today.

Did God give you a thought from Proverbs 4 today? Write a comment and share it.

Becoming Wise: Friends

Let's work on developing friendships this week. Our friendship with God and our friendship with others.

The Think It Through for this week can be found here.

Have a GREAT week!

Proverbs 1

As a parent, I need to understand that it is primarily my responsibility to nurture and teach my kids. To instruct and to teach them according to God's standards that He has for me as a parent and according to what my kids need to know and understand. Our kids are really God's children that He has entrusted to us for a little while to parent them - to teach and instruct them.

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

What did God teach you today from Proverbs 1?