Year: 2017

Wisdom is measured in Obedience, not Knowledge

​My son, obey your father’s commands, 

and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. 

Keep their words always in your heart. 

Tie them around your neck. 

When you walk, their counsel will lead you. 

When you sleep, they will protect you. 

When you wake up, they will advise you. 

For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; 

their corrective discipline is the way to life.

Proverbs 6:20‭-‬23 NLT

Someone can have a lot of knowledge and use none of it appropriately.  Isn’t it clear that is foolishness not wisdom? 

Isn’t it clear that an abundance of knowledge with no practical application, with no obedience, with no belief just leads to puffery, hypocrisy and pride?

So acquiring knowledge alone is not the way to wisdom. 

Acquiring a knowledge of Jesus and His teaching alone is not the way to life. It isn’t knowing ABOUT Jesus that buys you a ticket to your fire insurance for after you are dead. 

No, getting to know Him, believing Him, turning away from sin and worldliness,  following Him, obeying – this is the faith that saves. 
Have you surrendered your today, even this very moment to renew your walk close and personal with Christ? Will you walk wisely or foolishly? 
Choose today who it is you will truly serve, who it is you truly love, who it is you truly believe — and let your light shine bright, believer! 

Aligned or in Opposition

​There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: 

haughty eyes, 

a lying tongue, 

hands that kill the innocent, 

a heart that plots evil, 

feet that race to do wrong, 

a false witness who pours out lies, 

a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 NLT

PRIDE, DECEIT, HATRED, MANIPULATION, WICKEDNESS, TRICKERY, CONFUSION

Sound the alarm,  “These come to steal, kill and destroy!” 

Resist these evils, little children in the faith! 

Do battle against any of these that are strongholds for the enemy in your life, growing young Christians! 

See these left behind you and overcome, you who are spiritual and mature in your faith! 

And do not open that door again or look back to their treachery and destruction! 

Share the Good News, “There is a different path the one way, truth, and life found in Christ.”

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. – 1 John 1:5‭-‬10 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.  And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.  But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. ” – John 3:16‭-‬21 NLT

Freedom or Foolishness?

For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness. – Proverbs 5:21‭-‬23 NLT

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:12‭-‬23 NLT

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.  A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.  Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message.  I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example.  Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.  No, you are imitating your real father.” They replied, “We aren’t illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father.” Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me.  Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me!  For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.  So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me!  Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me?  Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” – John 8:34‭-‬47 NLT
“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” – Genesis 4:6‭-‬7 NLT
And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord ’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. – Hebrews 12:5‭-‬13 NLT
The LORD sees clearly,  it cannot be hidden from Him, even though many will deceive themselves about who it is they really serve, ignoring their own faces in the mirror and justifying their own foolishness by measuring and comparing one another instead of looking upon their one example – the one way, truth and life. We are to fall humbly surrendered in obedience — not out of heavy obligation, but out of uplifting gratitude —  for the price already paid, for the victory already won.
Those evil men who are still held captive to sin, those still bound in the chains of their destination, those who will die for lack of self-control, those who are lost because of their own foolishness — they will not escape the promise of salvation, the hope of glory without pushing past our proclaiming Jesus Christ crucified, dead, buried, and risen to life. The worldly,  carnal, rebellious and prodigal will not escape without hearing the watchmen cry out, pleading for repentance and a return to God and to holiness through the free gift of grace received by faith. 
We are not to be weak against enemies that must flee when we resist evil,  against weapons that cannot harm us.  We are to be bold in standing firm against wickedness and the ways of the world that steal, kill,  and destroy. And we are to stand firm and bold upon the firm foundation of Jesus Christ — who we follow, with cross firmly in hand, even as the world seeks to kill us and silence this uncomfortable, self examining, wholy surrender enducing, life changing, Good News. 
Good News of freedom for the captives, healing for the blind and the lame, forgiveness for the wretched sinner, and a new, born again, sanctified life of holiness that can be seen lived out in power, love, and self control in the lives of those who truly believe and have chosen a different master. Good News to those who cry out “Abba Father” that don’t just know about Christ, but who are known and called by God with a purpose and a path made straight that once was crooked. 
Strengthen yourself. Rise up. Walk. Even run. Even soar, Children of God! Go forth, and proclaim victory today and forever more!

Right, Just, and Fair

​Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. – Proverbs 2:9 NLT

How often do little children see something done to them and cry out,  “That isn’t fair!” But isn’t it usually the child that is being mistreated that cries out? The child doing whatever is wrong, unjust, or unfair usually doesn’t even realize because they are focused on themselves, their wants, their desires. 
Many adults, even ourselves can prove ourselves to be stunted in our own spiritual maturity by the very same attitudes. When a friend needs us to pay for them, we fall asleep instead – reminding us of the disciples in the garden with Jesus. Our the trials come and we find ourselves running away and hiding, and even denying Christ by our unfaithfulness. 
I’m glad that He faithful not only to forgive, but to come into our lives with a spirit of power, of love, and of self control so that we might not just know what is right,  just,  and fair towards others – but so that we might live it out. 
LORD, don’t let us just have head knowledge about your Word, which is the Way, the Truth, and the Life — but let us have heart understanding that leads us along, following the Word, with our crosses in hand, with our trials around us, but with our God before us. Amen.

Who may worship? Who may enter?

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? – Psalms 15:1 NLT

I encourage you to read the whole of Psalm 15 for context, understanding & examination of these questions, then below,  I will offer some questions that are directly from scripture, but that have been left open ended since I do not know the state of your heart – whereas the author knew exactly who he was wiring to in his case. I encourage you to read, understand, and examine yourself honestly,  then ask yourself these questions. Finally, there are two passages at the end to pass you on into your day. May your journey today be fruitful.

[After reading Psalm 15 and examining yourself] Does that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature or that you are walking by the Spirit? Are you living like people of the world or is it Christ who lives in you? Do you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:3‭, ‬16 NLT [wording adjusted to include both flesh and spirit]

So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?

Galatians 4:9 NLT

[Again, adjusted as open ended – allowing encouragement or reproof depending on heart of believer]

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.

1 Corinthians 16:13‭-‬14 NLT

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

We enter in to the throne room of grace by the Blood of the Lamb, by first recognizing our need, seeing that He loved us first, believing in Christ for Salvation, turning from our old ways to God’s will, and He walks us through this process of refining trials to bring about the sanctifying change in our lives that reveals His new creation in us. He is making all things new – even using these broken vessels to carry His Spirit, even using once dead branches to be grafted into the vine of life, so that His glory shines bright and undeniable – so that none might have excuse for not coming into the light themselves to receive Jesus Christ, the hope of glory.

If you… Behold, I will…

​If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. – Proverbs 1:23 ESV

Let’s dig in:

This proverb has 3 parts:

If you ______________,

Behold, I will _________________;

I will _________________.

This is conditional language,  with one part that is our responsibility,  and two parts that are God’s instructions to us about what He does in response. However, there is no “because” in this statement, there is no telling us that our fulfilling the “if” has earned us the “I will”. No, this discussion is not about outward works to receive worldly rewards,  but this is a discussion of things of the heart – of spiritual things. 

This old testament proverb in whole matches quite closely to Peter’s call at the end of his sermon at Pentecost:

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38 ESV

Let’s remember all of this as we dig in deeper. 
“If you turn at my reproof,” this bears witness and is in full agreement with James from the New Testament that we in fact bear a part in this newly revealed covenant between God and man:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. – James 1:22‭-‬25 ESV

And our verse in Proverbs continues:

“Behold, I will pour out my spirit to you”

And John also speaks of this, again in a conditional way regarding the Holy Spirit being given:

“If you love me, you will  keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,  even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. – John 14:15‭-‬17 ESV

So the first part told us what we should do,  and the second part tells us what we will behold that God does. In fact, the”behold” means “look and see” — so these things are not hidden or secret or cryptic,  but should be readily evident, “easy to see”.

Yes, when God’s Holy Spirit is present in the inner heart of a believer,  it should be quite evident in the oars life of the believer. The Holy Spirit is not timid and shy hissing in the shadows, but is a bright burning due that gives light to all around us. 

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for our God is a consuming fire. – Hebrews 12:29 ESV

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” – Zechariah 13:9 ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 1:6‭-‬7 ESV

“I will make my words known to you.”

Yes,  He reveals not only His work through you that can be seen, but He pulls back the veil and reveals more of himself through the written Word of God even as He brings Christ manifest as new life in your flesh. In fact, the two are unified in purpose.

We should remember the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:1-15. If we are good fertile soil, we turn from our wicked ways in response to his reproof — we don’t ignore it, we don’t just get excited for a moment, and we don’t just turn back to the vomit of the world — we persevere to the end. 

If you wonder how you might have the strength to persevere, He doesn’t call you to bear the burden of the journey in this verse. He bore the burden at the cross already. Your job is to turn to the way, the truth, the life. 

He simply says,  

“Truly turn to me, surrendering your whole life,  and just watch what I will do. I will pour out my Spirit onto you and you will be a new creation,  a Child of God.”

We choose. 

He demonstrates. 

Be sure of your choice today. 

Hear His correction and turn. 

Behold God at work in your life today.