THE WISDOM OF GOD

… if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. - Proverbs 2:3-6

 

          Wisdom and knowledge are not achieved by osmosis, but rather by seeking them. True wisdom and knowledge are only obtained from God, for the wisdom and knowledge of man is flawed because he is flawed. God wishes us to have all the gifts He has generated to be at our disposal. We only need to ask for and then utilize them.

          The fear of the Lord spoken of in scripture is not to be afraid of God, but instead, to view Him with awe, reverence and respect. No one else is like Him. He is the beginning and the end; He is Almighty, all-knowing and everywhere at the same time by His spirit. The wisdom He offers is perfect and if heeded, understanding follows. We will never know all things this side of heaven; however, tapping into the knowledge and wisdom of God gives us an upper hand on the things of this world. Seek God daily.

NO HARM SHALL BEFALL US

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4

 

          David was sent on a mission by King Saul. He feared for his life by the hand of Saul and while on his mission fled to Gath. Now David had killed Goliath, the champion of Gath, so he feared having to stand before their king, Achish. He feigned insanity so as to escape the clutches of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 21:1-22:1a)

          In the first two verses of the 56th Psalm David voices his complaint to God, yet his complaint quickly turns to confidence in the above verses. We would be wise to consider David’s circumstances in relation to our own, for we find ourselves in undesirable circumstances far too often by our own hand. We must accept and understand that if we have drawn close to our God, He is drawn close to us and there is nothing mere mortals can ever do to us that God has not allowed for our ultimate good. Our faith must give birth to full trust and reliance on God, for it is only then that we will shed our fear and walk boldly in the name of the Lord. Until next time … walk with the King and be a blessing!

GOD’S UNDERSTANDING

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. – Psalm 103:13-14

          For those who have reverence and respect for Almighty God, He shall have compassion. Reverence and respect should lead to obedience. We are not required to obey God, but rather, are to be compelled to by what He has done for us. No one or nothing else can provide the cleansing God can provide through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. If we have made a genuine commitment to God, forgiveness is received and a compulsion begins to build in our soul. That compulsion is to be the driving force that causes us to read scripture, attend church, testify of His goodness, pray and give an accounting of the reason for the joy you now have in your heart. It means no longer living for yourself; you are listening intently to God’s Holy Spirit regarding how to be Christ to those around you and see the world as God sees it. God knows from whence we come and while He doesn’t excuse our disobedience, understands us intimately and will patiently guide us through this life if we let Him. Until next time … walk with the King and be a blessing!

EMPATHY

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. - Romans 12:15

          In verse 9 Paul says “Love must be sincere”. We are to be genuine in both our joy and concern for others. Faking empathy is transparent; people can see right through it. Patronizing others is condescension and serves no positive purpose. If we see others the way God sees them we will be able to, with sincerity, rejoice with them in their victories and mourn with them in their grief. We don’t have to experience the same event to empathize with others. Our happiness or consolation can grow out of our consistent life in Christ enabling us to feel what others feel with genuine compassion. As a result, people will seek us out during their times of joy or pain. There is a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that comes with being used by God in this manner. Be real, not fake and you will be a blessing to those you encounter each day. Until next time … walk with the King and be a blessing!

SUBMISSION NEEDED

… I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. – Acts 20:24

          Paul’s dogged determination to complete the task set before him by the Holy Spirit should serve as an example to us all. Paul was at risk of being thrown in jail for preaching the gospel. While those conditions may exist elsewhere in the world today, they don't in America. We have it easy by comparison. Is it possible that we have become complacent?

          What matters most to us in this life? Living our lives in service to our Lord is an honor and a privilege. We are, in fact, His representatives wherever we go. We must feed our spirit man and listen to the instruction of God if we are to be successful in serving Him effectively. We can each make a difference to those around us if we will go about each day prepared to emulate Christ in all we say and do. If our testimony is consistent and genuine, people will notice and lives will be changed. Submit to God and move out in His name. Until next time … walk with the King and be a blessing!

LISTEN WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. – James 1:19-20

          James admonishes the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” to be eager to listen to those who are of God and think twice before they open their mouths. Man learns nothing by speaking. It’s only in listening that he acquires knowledge. Who or what he listens to also determines what knowledge is acquired. James tells the churches to be slow to bring retribution against another as well. There is a reason God says in Romans 12:19 that vengeance belongs to Him alone. We are unable to administer retribution without emotion. Our vengeance is mostly of a personal nature based on things that have been said or done to us or our loved ones. God takes emotion out of the equation, thus being able to administer fair and righteous judgment every time. Be quick to listen, slow to speak and leave retribution to the Lord. By doing so you shall learn those things God wishes you to know to better serve Him. Until next time … walk with the King and be a blessing!

THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

          I believe there is a general will and a personal will for each believer. Let me explain. The general will of God for His followers is to love one another or fulfill the Great Commission, etc. God has a will for each of us as individuals as well. For me I believe it is to utilize the gift He has given me to write for His glory and speak publically for the sake of the kingdom. When Paul tells the Romans not to follow the actions of the world, he is saying not to think like them, speak like them, act or react like them. Our minds become renewed when we immerse ourselves in the things of God. James 4:8 tells us that if we draw near to God He will draw near to us. It should be an intimate, personal relationship that we seek with our God. Then we will know what His personal will is for our lives. God wants to use us to promote the kingdom. He doesn’t need us, but rather chooses to use us. Draw near to the Lord starting today. Use the gifts He has given you and be a blessing to all you encounter. Until next time … walk with the King today and be a blessing!