Monday, October 31, 2011

Solomon’s Fall

Who is the Bible’s wisest fool?

 In 1 Kings Chapter 10 we see Solomon’s fame, wealth, and power. No one was wiser, more famous, or powerful than he. It was all due to his obedience in following God’s plan.

Solomon drifted from the truth of God, the Giver of all his wisdom and power, and ended in a “slippery place”. We must learn from his mistakes or it can happen to us.

Consider the word corrupt.

If a virus “corrupts” your computer you could loose all the information that was saved.
Corruption in government and public officials leads to mistrust and waste.

King Solomon fell from where God wanted him to be when his heart became corrupt. 

Definition of CORRUPT
1.     to change from good to bad in morals, manners, or actions
2.     to degrade with unsound principles or moral values
3.     to alter from the original or correct form
4.     to become tainted, rotten or  morally debased
5.     to cause disintegration or ruin

In other words Solomon changed his focus from pleasing God to pleasing self.

Where is your focus today?

Have a good Godly day.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Proverb of a Shepherd


In John 10:1-6 Jesus tells the story of The Good Shepherd and His Sheep:
    1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
Old Testament Scriptures frequently use the imagery shepherds and sheep. There are 150 uses of the word “sheep”, 51 in the Pentateuch alone. The great personages of Jewish ancestry – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses were all shepherds, and the greatest king, David, started his working life as a shepherd. The lamb also held great significance for the Jewish people. Lambs were used as offerings, sacrifices given expressing atonement for the sins of God’s people. The lamb was the centerpiece of the Passover feast.

Shepherding psalms: 79:13 - Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
 80:1 - Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth!
Psalm 23 ………You know it J

The people were well familiar with this analogy, but failed to grasp the significance of His words. As their Good Shepherd, he was there to lead them greener pastures giving them great abundance for eternity.

Hebrews 13:20-21 -May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Is He your shepherd?

Have a good Godly day.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

A Personal Word from God


 17 “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, 18 I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.’  19 “But if you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22 People will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.’”

This is the “high water” mark in Solomon’s life. The Lord knew what was coming and warned him. Disobedience has its consequences. If we turn our backs on God then he will allow calamity and disaster to fall on us, as individuals, families, and a country. When people ask, “Why has the Lord done such a thing?” we can answer the same as in verse 22, “Because we have turned our backs on God, and embraced other gods”.

It seems easier to blame God than to take responsibility for ourselves. We can’t change our country or our families by our own will, but do have control over self. So let us follow the Lord’s direction and humble ourselves, pray, and seek Him with all we have until He calls us to eternity. That’s how we can apply His wisdom and knowledge with obedience.

What are you building on?

Do you listen to God’s warnings?

Do you apply His wisdom and knowledge with obedience?

Have a good Godly day.

Friday, October 28, 2011

The Lord Appears

In 2 Chronicles 7 we see that the Temple built in Jerusalem is now complete. Solomon has followed God’s plan, built on His foundation, and now all of Israel is at the dedication of the Temple.

    11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, 12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.  13 “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

God heard Solomon’s and the people’s prayers, accepts their offerings, and showed up in their presence. He also had a warning that there would be a time in the near future that they would turn their backs on Him. There would be a response to their sin in the form of a drought, plague, sickness, or death. In God’ infinite grace and mercy he offers a way to reconciliation and forgiveness. His heart’s desire is that we will not leave Him, because He will never leave us. He will always be there for you. Amen?

Have a good Godly day.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

God’s House

Paul writes about us being God’s temple in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 (The Message);

   Or, to put it another way, you are God's house. Using the gift God gave me as a good architect, I designed blueprints; Apollos is putting up the walls. Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. Take particular care in picking out your building materials. Eventually there is going to be an inspection. If you use cheap or inferior materials, you'll be found out. The inspection will be thorough and rigorous. You won't get by with a thing. If your work passes inspection, fine; if it doesn't, your part of the building will be torn out and started over. But you won't be torn out; you'll survive—but just barely. You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God's temple, you can be sure of that. God's temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple. 

The call here is that we cannot build anything of lasting value unless it is based on Christ. Jesus Christ is the foundation to our life and ministry. What we build on this foundation is of most importance. At the end of our life everything will be revealed, and Scripture says it will be revealed with fire. If the things that have been built survive this test then the builder will receive a reward for their faithfulness.

The materials mentioned in this passage shows that we can choose to build with things that have value and last, or revert to what is easy and don’t. When Christ through the Holy Spirit comes to live in us then we become God’s temple. We should revere and respect what belongs to God. We must take care of His temple – physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Have a good Godly day.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Solomon’s Foundational Wisdom

Everyone builds on some kind of foundation, but not every foundation is a good one. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24-27 the parable of 2 men who built on different foundations: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

The wise man built upon a foundation of rock and withstood the storm, but the foolish man built his house on a foundation of sand and it fell. God expects us to build properly on the foundation he has prepared to withstand the storms of life.

1 Kings 4:29-34
 29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33 He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 34 From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

The Lord gave Solomon all he needed; wisdom, great insight, and a breadth of understanding that was limitless. Because he used it wisely his famed spread to all the nations who came to sit under his teaching and great wisdom. We should do the same. The wisdom, gifts, and talents that God gives to us should be used for His glory, and shared with the world around us.

Have a good Godly day.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Good Foundation

Solomon now had all the physical materials, blueprints, and the location for the building of God’s House, the Temple in Jerusalem. He still needed to dig to put in a good foundation to build on, but we will see the spiritual foundation from God was even more important and longer lasting.

1 Kings 6:11-13
The word of the LORD came to Solomon: 12 “As for this temple you are building, if you follow my decrees, observe my laws and keep all my commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father. 13 And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon my people Israel.”

God reminds Solomon of three things:
1. Follow His decrees
2. Observe His Laws
3. Keep all His commands

If he did then God promises that He will:
1. Fulfill His promises
2. Dwell among them
3. Not abandon them

We can build with assurance on God’s promises. We need to be faithful.

Have a good Godly day.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Building on Wisdom


We have seen that King David had left to his son the plan, finances, and materials to build the temple. Solomon sought and asked God for wisdom and it was granted. Now it was time to build on this wisdom both literally and spiritually.

In our search for wisdom we may feel like the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz in his search for a brain. It’s so close but we just can’t attain it.
At the end of the movie we see the scene where the “Great and Powerful Oz” helps him see that he is indeed quite a smart fellow. The scarecrow is given a doctorate of “Thinkology”, and he realizes that he does have much knowledge. God wants to assure you that you can have access to His knowledge and wisdom through His Word and He wants to build on it!

 Look at 1 Kings 6:1-7, and Solomon’s preparations for building the Temple. He was ready to build on what had been given to him.

In the four hundred and eightieth[a] year after the Israelites came out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the LORD. 2 The temple that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty wide and thirty high. 3 The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple extended the width of the temple that is twenty cubits, and projected ten cubits from the front of the temple. 4 He made narrow windows high up in the temple walls. 5 Against the walls of the main hall and inner sanctuary he built a structure around the building, in which there were side rooms. 6 The lowest floor was five cubits wide, the middle floor six cubits and the third floor seven. He made offset ledges around the outside of the temple so that nothing would be inserted into the temple walls. 7 In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.

Solomon was committed to build the Temple and on his wisdom the way God desired. In 1 Kings 5:7 the king of Tyre said, “Praise be to the LORD today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation.”

Let’s commit today to build on the wisdom that God has given to us. Amen?

Have a good Godly day.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Types of Wisdom

James 3:13-18 has some resounding truths that will help us as we deal with the subject of wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

James speaks of two sets of attitudes. One focuses on negative attitudes and the other positive attitudes. He compares two lifestyles on what he calls "wisdom from above" and "wisdom that is from below.

A study on the values, attitudes, and behavior described here will help us to live wisely and “righteous” before the Lord. Worldly wisdom is described as, where you have envy and selfish ambition; there you find disorder and every evil practice. Godly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

What areas do you need to commit to do better in your life?

Have a good Godly day.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Examples

There is a witnessing tract that has been used for years by Billy Graham called Steps to peace with God. Everyone desires to have true meaning and contentment in their life.
Consider what David said in Psalm 51:10-19 - 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
 
This is why David is referred to as a man after God’s own heart. That should be our desire as well, and the method is still the same as what David wrote many years ago. The main thing is being in the right place with God. Give Him all you have, and acknowledge it’s His anyway.

Have you applied these life changing principles to your life?

What business do you need to do with God today?

Have a good Godly day

Friday, October 21, 2011

Disobedience


The fourth secret to financial wisdom is dealing with Disobedience
 
Solomon wrote 1,000 songs and over 3,000 proverbs declaring God’s truth. World leaders came to sit at his feet and learn. As wise and discerning as he was, it wasn’t what he knew that got him into trouble; it was how he lived and the choices he made.

Proverbs 17:24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Solomon started to focus on things instead of the giver of all things, God.

Proverbs 13:10 Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

Solomon wrote about the dangers of excess, but he lived in opposition to many of the truths that he taught in Proverbs. He became obsessed later in his life with accumulating more money and possessions. It took him 7 years to build God’s house the Temple, but took 13 years to build his own house, the palace. He warned about being obsessed with gold but adorned his home with it, and only drank from gold goblets.

The secret of disobedience is that you can never hide from God. He is aware of all our actions, thoughts, and motives. Before Solomon died he came to his senses, and he realized this, Whoever loves money never has money enough. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. - Ecclesiastes 5:10

The things of this world can never truly satisfy us.

Why not follow God’s wisdom in all areas of our life especially finance.

Have a good Godly day.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Ownership


The third secret of financial wisdom deals with Ownership. Solomon tells us that it’s not about hoarding finances and treasure for ourselves, but use it to bless others.
It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. - Proverbs 11:24

The main purpose of wealth is being able to generously give it away. The more we give, the more God allows His resources to flow in our direction. You cannot separate financial health from generosity.

Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.  Proverbs 3:9-10

The first and the best belongs to God.

Solomon offers us 3 reasons why we should give our first and best:
1. He should be honored.
2. He already owns everything! 
3. He wants to bless us.

The principle of giving God your first and best is also shown in Exodus 13:2, Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal.

Whatever is done with the first of our finances or possessions determines what we do with the rest. The truth is that God doesn’t need our sheep or money, but He puts this principle in His Word to remind us that He should be first in our lives in all areas.
 
David knew this principle:
I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10

A.W. Tozer explains it this way; I am obliged to tell you that God doesn’t need anything that you have. He does not need a dime of your money. It is your own spiritual welfare that’s at stake. You have the right to keep all that you have to yourself. But if you do, it will rust and decay, and ultimately ruin you.

What are you giving to God?

Allow God will bless your giving. He will multiply it beyond your wildest imagination.

Have a good Godly day.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Money Management


The second secret in financial wisdom is Good Money Management
Solomon gives us plenty of financial advice, including things like not going into debt, helping the poor, borrowing makes us slaves, not signing on loans for other people, and lazy people never prosper. Here are some other financial wisdom verses: Proverbs 1:13-14; 1:19; 2:4; 3:9-10; 3:14-16; 3:27-28, 3:33; 5:10-14; 6:1-2;6:6-11; 6:30-31; 8:10; 8:18-21; 9:1-3; 10:2-5; 10:15; 10:22; 10:15-16; 10:22-24; 11:1-4; 11:11; 11:23-28; 12:5; 12:11-12; 12:24; 13:2;-4; 13:27; 14:1-4;15:16-27; 16:11; 17:2-11; 17:23; 18:9-11; 18:23; 19:1; 19:7-17; 19:22-24; 20:4; 20:10-15.

Here are three areas to consider:

• Keep good accounting
Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be secure for the next generation. Proverbs 27:23-24
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5

• Develop a budget
Plan carefully and you will have plenty. If you act too quickly, you will never have enough. Proverbs 21:5
Foolish people spend their money as fast as they get it. Valuables are safe in a wise person's home; fools put it all out for yard sales. Proverbs 21:20 (Message)

• Prepare financially for the future
Take a lesson from the ants...learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. - Proverbs 6:6-8
 The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.- Proverbs 14:15

What are some areas in your financial life that you need to apply this wisdom to?

Have a good Godly day.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Contentment

Over the next four days we’ll look at four secrets that can help us become wiser about how the Lord wants us to deal with our finances and possessions. The first is Secret of Contentment

Indulging in luxuries, wine and rich food, will never make you wealthy...Proverbs 21:17

Ecclesiastes 6:9 says that it is better to be satisfied with what you have than to always want something else. Buy now – pay later is not part of God’s plan!
 
I love this quote, Contentment is not a destination; it is the journey.

Take a look at the 10 Commandments. The first nine Commandments deal external behavior – actions others can see in your life. The tenth Commandment to not covet is a sin that is rarely spoken of, and kept hidden. The desire for more and what isn’t ours is one that must be dealt with before you can attain the wisdom God desires.
 
Consider what Paul shared, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Many times we use this verse when we have a crisis or great need in our lives. This verse on a day to day basis has more to do with being content with what you have and not to covet.

Paul instructs us on being satisfied.
I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I know how to get along happily whether I have much or little. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. Philippians 4:11-12

Jesus wants us to learn contentment. He spoke of the sin of coveting when the young rich man came up and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus looks at this rich young ruler and says…“You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” Mark 10:19

Which of the commandments did Jesus not quote? “Do not covet.” Why did Jesus leave it out? He goes on to say; And the young ruler said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Mark 10:20-21 The young man kept up a good public persona as a righteous and religious man. Jesus left out coveting because He knew this was a commandment he did not keep. He had a problem with his love of money. At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:22

Solomon’s wisdom tells us to learn to live within our means, and to learn to be content with what we have. The world’s measure of wealth and the Lord’s measure is very different. There is one who pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth. - Proverbs 13:7 We need to live within our means, not our imaginations! A simpler God focused life is the best way to live and find true contentment.

Have a good Godly day.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Financial Wisdom

 Jesus taught more on money than any other subject. If it is that important to God then we can be sure that it would be part of our search for wisdom. Paul teaches on this subject in 1 Timothy 6:3-10:

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.  6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 The subject of money is a sore point for many of us, so today let’s let go and let God teach us what His Word has to say on the subject. Solomon tells us the secrets of financial wisdom throughout Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

We’ve all tried dealing with finances in our own way. 

Are you ready to hear what God has to say about the subject?

Have a good Godly day.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Movement

What is a Movement?

It is a group of people that share a common ideology with shared values and goals.

What happened to the church, and the Great Commission?
Have we lost this shared focus in the modern church?

The Christian City Movement is like the first church where they were not afraid to go out and help the world. In the first century the church was only 10% of the population, but yet everyone knew that they cared for the poor.

When God is not in charge of our vision then it’s much too small.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21

We accomplish things for God by our obedience, and hear His voice through the daily disciplines of Quiet time, Prayer, Bible Study, and Journaling. We must engage in Scripture – The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. - Deuteronomy 30:14 – The Word is near!

It is time to start listening, obeying, and moving. Amen?

Have a good and Godly day.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Learn

We can can receive wisdom from different sources as I have written before. Everything should be filtered through God's Word. I learn a lot by taking notes at conferences and during sermons. These are some quotes I wrote down from this year’s Willow Creek Leadership Summit.

God made you to play your best game. Always aim for excellence.

The devil’s success depends on our ignorance. Let God interrupt your previously scheduled program.

Call problems, problems, and let God help. We must believe that greater is He that is in us than anything the world can dish out!

Every day we move closer or farther away from where God wants us to be.

If you want to be a hero do what God tells you!

Learn from the sources God has given you.

Check out www.fbcredbank.com click on the Why Wisdom? tab.

It will probably make you wiser!

Have a good and Godly day.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Ask

Some may think that all these proverbs we have studied over the past four weeks are old fashion and not relevant because they were written so long ago. Wisdom never goes out of style and should always be desired. See what it says in the New Testament.
 
James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. "

Having the mind of Christ and His vision for your life are all a part of wisdom. Vision is an insight and awareness of God’s plan. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Without vision the people will perish”(KJV), or “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.”(NIV) The lack of following God leads to lawless rebellion. All believers need to follow God’s vision and plan for their lives.


Just ask, receive, believe, and obey.

May we seek to hear from God, and allow His wisdom and knowledge guide and direct us all the days of our lives.

Have a good and Godly day.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

More Steps


Let’s look at three more steps to take in our pursuit and application of God’s wisdom.

 We must be determined to learn from the wise.
 
Proverbs
3:21; My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
Proverbs 13:20, "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."                                                                                            
 Proverbs 19:8; The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.

D. We must be delivered from our foolishness.

Proverbs 10:23; A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
Proverbs 14:6; The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Proverbs 17:24; A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

E. We must be disciplined in what we value.

Proverbs 9:12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
Proverbs 29:18; Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

Solomon demonstrates to us that wisdom begins with having the right relationship with God. We need to have His heart and mind in dealing with the world around us. We must keep our focus on Him, worshipping the one true God. Do you value wisdom?

Have a good and Godly day.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Value

I love this statement; Wise people pursue more wisdom, for wisdom is given to those who value it.

Solomon puts it like this in Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding

We need to ask ourselves,  How Does this Principle Apply to me?

Let’s look at the words from the world’s wisest man from the book of Proverbs to guide us on how we should value and strive for wisdom.

We must delight in wisdom
 
Proverbs 2:10; For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 3:13; Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
Proverbs 24:14; Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

We must desire wisdom

Proverbs 8:11;  for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Proverbs 2:2; Pursue it turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding
Proverbs 28:26; Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.


What we delight in and desire is where our heart will be.

Where’s your heart?

Have a good and Godly day.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A Wise Ruling

Only the most difficult cases were brought before the King. His first case involved two prostitutes and a baby. They both claim to be the Mother. Another baby had died. Solomon gives his verdict, and the people were amazed at his wisdom found in I Kings 3:16-28.

    16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.
   19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”
   22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.” But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king. 23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”
   24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.” 26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”
   27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.” 28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.

What was the outcome of Solomon’s wisdom in this case?
1. The people were amazed. 2. They acknowledged that his wisdom was from God. 3. They believe that their king would administer justice

Amaze someone this week with God’s wisdom!
Have a good and Godly day.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Solomon’s Wisdom

In real estate it’s all about location, but in wisdom it’s all about application, application, application!

What was Solomon’s response to God after being granted his request for wisdom? He offered sacrifices before the ark in Jerusalem

 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to
Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.- 1 Kings 3:15

It is appropriate to worship and praise the Lord!

So many times in life we are ill prepared to do God would have us do. We do not bring with us the tools necessary to be successful. Remember the scene from Indiana Jones where he is confronted with this master knife handler wanting to fight him? Indy thinks for a minute then pulls out his gun and shoots him! Thus another modern proverb; Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight! God has made available to us wisdom. It is up to us to receive and use it. After Solomon’s worship time he went right to work using this gift of wisdom from the Lord.

Are you ready to get to work for God this week, and apply His wisdom?

Have a good and Godly day.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Using Wisdom

A couple weeks ago I went to an event called Movement Day. Tim Keller gave a thought provoking definition and the differences between Righteous and Evil (also known as the just and unjust).

Righteous/Just Are those who are willing to disadvantage themselves for the good of the community.
Evil/Unjust Are those who are willing to disadvantage the community for the good of themselves.

Are we just or unjust according to this definition?

The Church is to evangelize to save the lost and then teach (disciple) those to obey God’s commands (do justice).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3. The problem with many of us is we’ve become “middle class” not poor in spirit. We “do” things for God like checking a “to do” list. He deserves more than that – our heart, mind, body, and soul.

When you look at the poor and those in need it should be like looking in the mirror. That’s how Jesus sees us.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck,  write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. - Proverbs 3:3-4

Have a good and Godly day.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Taste

For about ten years I have not been able to smell anything, so my ability to taste is greatly impaired as well. Whenever I read in the Bible about being able to taste it is a reminder to me that even though I can’t discern flavors on earth I can still experience God in different ways. In Deuteronomy 30:14 it says, The Word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so you may obey it. God’s presence and wisdom are that close.

Can you taste the Word in your mouth and feel the Spirit in your heart? – You can if you are obedient.

Psalm 34:8Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

God uses all of our senses and the psalmist here wants to illustrate the intimate nature of His relationship with us. The Lord desires this, but will not force it on us.

Trust and have faith in God – Proverbs 3:5-6; Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

God is good all the time and He is with us all the while.

Have a good and Godly day.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Counsel


Solomon shares in Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, 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.

Here it is! This is how to understand the fear of the Lord and find knowledge and wisdom. Look at the underlined words and phrases: accept my words, store up my commands, ear to wisdom, heart to understanding, insight, understanding, and look for it as for hidden treasure. The Proverbs are a great guide to wisdom. Decide to make them part of who you are as a child of God.

Remember the instructions from Paul found in Colossians 3:16, Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Dealing with our past and present can be very painful. Allow the Gospel to be your joy and hope. With this gratitude in your heart teach and correct one another in order to grow in godly wisdom.

Use the spiritual disciplines of Alone time with God, Prayer and Fasting, Personal Bible study, and Journaling to give you “fresh ears” to hear feedback and counsel from the Lord. He has something to tell you!

Have a good and Godly day.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Your Offering

We learned in 2 Chronicles 1:6 that Solomon sought God at the Tent of the Meeting offering 1,000 sacrifices in order to please and hear from the Lord.

What would be your 1,000 offerings?

The answer to this question can be found in Hebrews 13:15-16 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

It’s not a finite number, but it’s a continual offering and sacrifice of praise through four ways that pleases God.
1.     Honoring Him with what comes out of our mouths. Everything we say should bring God glory.
2.     Openly professing the Name of Jesus as Savior. This is the “applying the Word to my life” part. You witness and share Jesus with your lifestyle.
3.     Doing good – being godly. We are called to be righteous, holy and just in all our dealings with the world.
4.     Sharing with others – loving your neighbors. Jesus said it best that we are to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. This is where “being Jesus with skin on” can come in to play.

How’s your continual offering and sacrifice of praise of doing?

Have a good and Godly day.