We are nearing the end of the Proverbs 31 study. As I read today's verse, I was encouraged to hear the words "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." I saw the Lord rejoicing over me. I am the person who always finds one more thing to do or one more thing to work on. Today, this verse reminded me I have peace with God through Jesus Christ.
This is a great description of the Sabbath. I can rest from all my labors as I have peace with God through Jesus Christ. I have been contemplating the Sabbath for years. It is not just a ceasing from activity or work. It is taking delight and love in God and what He has made and done. It is a peace without striving. It is a day of rejoicing. It is more than a physical or mental rest. It is not just a "vacation". It is an abiding. It is trusting God takes care of us and protects us.
I do think of the final rest. In Matthew 25:23 - His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
I also think of Proverbs 22:29 - Do you see a man skilled (who excels) in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men. The word excels in Proverbs 22:29 has been translated as diligent, skilled, efficient and competent. We are to be faithful and diligent in the things God gives us to do. However in all things we need to be reminded that what we have is from Him. We can not do anything apart from Him. It is not just His strength and His power that we obtain. We have Him. It is about Him and not what we can do. We need a deep abiding and remaining in Him.
This abiding in Him has been producing a peace in me. A peace that does not just exist in good circumstances but is especially there in hard circumstances. The application for me is to keep leaning on Him and learning about Him being Lord of the Sabbath and to be at rest and peace in Him.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Passing the Baton
Scripture: Titus 2:4 - That they may teach (or train) the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
When I think of the above Scripture, I still see the picture of a race in my mind. I may have mentioned these two verses in yesterday's post about running a race, but I think they apply to today's scripture on the older women teaching the younger women. The first verse is: 1 Corinthians 9;24-27 says " Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." The second verse is Hebrews 12:1 - 12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Do you remember running races in school where you have to pass the baton? They are called RELAY races. People have to come together as a team to run relay races. "Relay racing is the art of running with a baton and passing it from one teammate to the other, and making three exchanges with the fourth runner crossing the finish line with the baton.The most difficult concepts to instill in relay athletes are running away from someone while trying to receive something from that person, and passing within the "zone."
I think the picture of a relay race describes well what we do in our Christian faith. We have to come together as a team. The difficult part is running away from someone while trying to receive something. We all have to keep running with our eyes on the prize of Jesus Christ while yet we still are trying to receive what the generation before us is handing. Likewise, we are to do the same, pass on the baton to the next runner.
Observation of Titus 2:4
1. The older women are to train the younger women
2. Sober used here is similar to word Temperate meaning to have desires and passions well regulated or under control. It is interesting that have being trained to be sober, the older women are to teach younger women to LOVE. Usually men directed to love wives and women to respect but here women instructed and trained to love husbands and children.
Application of Titus 2:4
It is easy for me to try to pass the baton to next player but I find it harder to be the one receiving the baton while still running forward. I have always enjoyed "older" people. I still do. I find it hard at times to find people sharing their faith and passing on God's wisdom to the next generation. We have young people and middle aged people hungering for wisdom but yet there seems to be a "fear" of doing what God says. I have asked older women for advice and I do find it here and there but for the most part, people seem hesitant in sharing as "each person is different". Although God has made us unique, His Word is true in every place and every situation. God's Word does not change. We need to be Women who pass the baton to the next generation and teach them the things God says we need to do. In the race verses mentioned in the beginning of the verse, I see temperance, self control, training, discipline and endurance of great importance. Again, we don't just wake up one morning and run a long race. It takes months and months and maybe more of training.
Prayer
Lord, many times I want to run a sprint and have it over, but the longer I run this race of faith I see that it is a long distance run. It requires endurance. Lord thank you that you that Your Spirit is pouring long suffering/patience/endurance into me. You have instructed us to train. Thank you for training even when it is hard.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Train Up Not Down
When I think of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up children in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.", I think about how God says train up and not train down. Many parents are constantly in a state of frustration with their children. If this is the case, it is most likely because you don't have peace yourself. Children sense the reality of actions, feelings and attitudes in the home. Of course, we all get frustrated. We all get tired. We all get tired of training in the same area. I am not talking about moments of frustration but a life of frustration.
When I think of train down I think of constantly nagging, constantly correcting, constantly wanting to spank, constantly doing everything for our children, constantly letting the children just play all day by themselves, constantly letting the children do whatever they want and constantly using words and actions that do not bring life. The verse that comes to mind is
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
When I think of train up I think of training up in every area of life not just their spiritual life. Our spiritual life is not disconnected from the rest of our life. Training up involves using words and actions that bring life and blessing. We should be training ourselves as parents for godliness and endurance. We are to live our lives as God's Word tells us. We are to train them each step of the way to do more and more for themselves. They too need their mind and bodies engaged and active rather than just in mindless activity all day. They need grace. They need to be spoken to with love as we speak God's Word throughout the day. We are to train them how to do daily chores like making a bed, bringing dishes to sink, putting away dishes, and taking clothes out of washer. We all need room to make mistakes and learn. The scripture that comes to mind is:
Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Scripture for Proverbs 31 Study: Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. One of the most important aspects of training up is knowing your own child. God gifted and made each child different. We are to know their specific characteristics, bents, family sin issues, individual sins, what each one can do, and what each child naturally gravitates to.
Observation:
1. To train up: The Hebrew word hanakh means “to dedicate” or “to consecrate.” It’s used only four times in the Old Testament, three times in reference to dedicating a building and once of a child in Proverbs 22:6. A closely related Hebrew word hanakh, pictures the custom of a midwife dipping her finger into a pool of crushed dates in order to massage the palate and gums of a newborn.
2. In the way. Hebrew Derek - way. This is probably the most debated phrase in the proverb. The Hebrew is quite simply “in accordance with his way” or, even more literally, “upon the mouth of his way” (there’s the image of mouth again).
Application: When I first became a parent, I thought I could read a parenting book and then try to get my son to fit that mold. This brought immense frustration and guilt. My son has always been vocal and he does not do everything as everyone else does. He actually has many Godly leader qualities, and he is only 3 1/2. I have noticed when I live my life as God instructs, my child observes that and wants to do likewise. For many aspects of training, it is doing it and offering it over and over. It reminds me of vegetables. When Nehemiah first started eating, he ate everything. However, as he got older, he decided he did not like certain vegetables. I keep eating them and I keep offering them to him. I ask him to take one bite. I have noticed that the more he takes one bite and spits it out that he is developing a taste for many things he initially said he did not like. We are to guide our children towards God's best in all things.
Recently, my son and I have been reading the Proverbs at breakfast. He asks many questions. Then we draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. We write fool on one side and wise on the other side. We talk about "the way" a fool goes which is always the crooked path. We also talk about "the way" a wise person goes which is always the straight path. We search out the wisdom in God's Word and we discuss it. Then throughout the day in whatever we do and wherever we are, we ask God to help us walk in the way of His wisdom. We want to be wise and not fools.
Many people say that the proverbs are principles not promises. I know God's word never comes back void. There are times that children may turn but if they have been trained and God's Spirit is alive in them and they have Jesus Christ, I believe they will return.
Verses on Training :
2 Timothy 2:1-7
You therefore, my [a] son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he [b]does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you give us strength to keep up training. Thank you for your Word is what trains us in righteousness. May I be faithful in the things you have given me to do.
When I think of train down I think of constantly nagging, constantly correcting, constantly wanting to spank, constantly doing everything for our children, constantly letting the children just play all day by themselves, constantly letting the children do whatever they want and constantly using words and actions that do not bring life. The verse that comes to mind is
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
When I think of train up I think of training up in every area of life not just their spiritual life. Our spiritual life is not disconnected from the rest of our life. Training up involves using words and actions that bring life and blessing. We should be training ourselves as parents for godliness and endurance. We are to live our lives as God's Word tells us. We are to train them each step of the way to do more and more for themselves. They too need their mind and bodies engaged and active rather than just in mindless activity all day. They need grace. They need to be spoken to with love as we speak God's Word throughout the day. We are to train them how to do daily chores like making a bed, bringing dishes to sink, putting away dishes, and taking clothes out of washer. We all need room to make mistakes and learn. The scripture that comes to mind is:
Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Scripture for Proverbs 31 Study: Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. One of the most important aspects of training up is knowing your own child. God gifted and made each child different. We are to know their specific characteristics, bents, family sin issues, individual sins, what each one can do, and what each child naturally gravitates to.
Observation:
1. To train up: The Hebrew word hanakh means “to dedicate” or “to consecrate.” It’s used only four times in the Old Testament, three times in reference to dedicating a building and once of a child in Proverbs 22:6. A closely related Hebrew word hanakh, pictures the custom of a midwife dipping her finger into a pool of crushed dates in order to massage the palate and gums of a newborn.
2. In the way. Hebrew Derek - way. This is probably the most debated phrase in the proverb. The Hebrew is quite simply “in accordance with his way” or, even more literally, “upon the mouth of his way” (there’s the image of mouth again).
Application: When I first became a parent, I thought I could read a parenting book and then try to get my son to fit that mold. This brought immense frustration and guilt. My son has always been vocal and he does not do everything as everyone else does. He actually has many Godly leader qualities, and he is only 3 1/2. I have noticed when I live my life as God instructs, my child observes that and wants to do likewise. For many aspects of training, it is doing it and offering it over and over. It reminds me of vegetables. When Nehemiah first started eating, he ate everything. However, as he got older, he decided he did not like certain vegetables. I keep eating them and I keep offering them to him. I ask him to take one bite. I have noticed that the more he takes one bite and spits it out that he is developing a taste for many things he initially said he did not like. We are to guide our children towards God's best in all things.
Recently, my son and I have been reading the Proverbs at breakfast. He asks many questions. Then we draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. We write fool on one side and wise on the other side. We talk about "the way" a fool goes which is always the crooked path. We also talk about "the way" a wise person goes which is always the straight path. We search out the wisdom in God's Word and we discuss it. Then throughout the day in whatever we do and wherever we are, we ask God to help us walk in the way of His wisdom. We want to be wise and not fools.
Many people say that the proverbs are principles not promises. I know God's word never comes back void. There are times that children may turn but if they have been trained and God's Spirit is alive in them and they have Jesus Christ, I believe they will return.
Verses on Training :
2 Timothy 2:1-7
You therefore, my [a] son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he [b]does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Titus 2:3-5
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Hebrews 12:11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you give us strength to keep up training. Thank you for your Word is what trains us in righteousness. May I be faithful in the things you have given me to do.
Blessed are the....
Scripture: Proverbs 31:28
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: (NASB)
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (NKJ)
Observation:
The word rise up could mean to stand (excitedly). Blessed is the Hebrew word Ashar which means to be happy, blessed. It also means .go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress, and to be led on.
1. Her children take a stand and they bless their Mother
2. It appears that blessings are observed and given based on what the children see
Application
When I hear Proverbs 31: 28, I am reminded of Matthew 5:3-11
(Beatitudes) and the blessed are the ___________. The first one is “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Without being poor in spirit and knowing and receiving everything from God, we cannot be the Proverbs 31 woman. We have to be spiritually bankrupt before God. All of our doing is like filthy rags before God. Everything comes from His hand. The character mentioned in Matthew 5 speaks of why one would be called Blessed which include: poor in spirit, one who mourns, one who is meek, one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, one who is merciful, one who is pure in heart, one who is a peacemaker, and who who is persecuted because of righteousness.
(Beatitudes) and the blessed are the ___________. The first one is “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Without being poor in spirit and knowing and receiving everything from God, we cannot be the Proverbs 31 woman. We have to be spiritually bankrupt before God. All of our doing is like filthy rags before God. Everything comes from His hand. The character mentioned in Matthew 5 speaks of why one would be called Blessed which include: poor in spirit, one who mourns, one who is meek, one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, one who is merciful, one who is pure in heart, one who is a peacemaker, and who who is persecuted because of righteousness.
My son is only 3 ½ so he is not grown, but I already see fruits of him blessing me. He spontaneously will tell me “You are lovely and beautiful”, “I love you”, “You are the best Mommy”. When I asks him how he knows something that I was surprised that he knew he says “you do that”. There are so many things that my son observes about me that I am not aware. I love how he is attentive and speaks out what he sees. His first reaction when he sees my husband and I not agreeing is to pray for us. If he notices anything that is not love, he prays. Likewise, Nehemiah sees his Father blessing me and praising me and him. Nehemiah does not speak the words we speak as a blessing but his words of love and praise pour out. I love how they are spontaneous and a true reflection of love.
Of course when children are grown, you see even more fruit but I don't think children have to be all grown to be a child after God's own heart. Jesus says let the children come to Him. When trained early and God's spirit comes into their life early, they are easily trainable and malleable. This does not mean that there are not frustrating moments and moments of sin. We still have those moments in our own life. However, life is not characterized by those moments in which discipline and correction is needed according to God's word. Sometimes we as parents see something as "sin" or frustrating but we don't take the time to see what our attitudes were like that day. Also, sometimes the child just needs training in that area and we need to do it. Sometimes it truly is sin but it is not personal toward us. They are sinning against God and we have the authority to train and correct. Grace is also important. I have seen prayer work with regard to peace in our homes. When we put on the armor of God and engage in the battle of prayer, God works His Fruit of Love into our homes and lives.
My husband praises me as well. I have been having strangers coming up to me and praising me too. Many times, I need to let this sink in as there were many years of a critical spirit in our home. God is so good to know what we need before we ask. He is so good to provide a good word in due season to encourage us.
I try not to live on praises of my child, husband or others but on what God thinks of me. It is good to be praised by others and it is encouraging but I don’t want to lose heart just because I am not getting outward praise. I want to be blessed because of the things that God says we are blessed for in Matthew 5.
Prayer: Lord, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. I pray that I am a Mother that clings to the cross. May I be blessed because I follow hard after you. Lord, may I continue to do everything heartily onto you.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Perservering Application
Persevering Application
This week’s character or virtue was diligence, the opposite of laziness, slothfulness or idleness. The term diligence is derived from Latin phrases meaning "to choose," and "to love earnestly." To be diligent is to choose to start a project, finish a project, make preparations, follow through and work heartily onto the Lord with whatever work has been assigned or whatever work you see that needs to be done. I didn’t come from a wealthy family in terms of money nor did I grow up in Church, but my family showed me character. We didn’t go on expensive vacations. We camped a couple of times per year. . We spent time at our local river swimming, playing in the sand, we watched the town baseball game between locals, we spent time talking to people in town , we helped others, we played board games together, we did crafts together, we liked town fairs and town functions.
One area I became very diligent in was my studies at school because I thought that was an area to help others and to not worry about money. I didn’t wait for others to teach things to me or do it for me, I jumped right in to learn. I became a lawyer and so the word “due diligence” was easy for me. I would always check, research, try, explore, research again everything I read or a client would say. I would use and invest my energies, talents and gifts to complete tasks. God has given me perseverance to withstand troubles and continue at places that are difficult. Now, I a stay at home mostly and pick up legal work occasionally. Finally, I am back into a mode of working hard in whatever I do for God not to look good, get more, earn more or anything more. I work hard in my home and outside for God’s glory and because he says to. I am learning to be content with what God gives.
Today, I was listening to the rooms of a woman’s heart. I liked how an analogy of building was made to our spiritual home. The first room discussed was the basement and foundation. Many people want to talk about all the precious things and beautiful things we fill our home with to make it “beautiful” but the most important part of a house is the foundation. Without Jesus Christ, we don’t have a firm foundation. God tells us in His word that those that build on sandy foundations are those people who hear the word of God but then do not do what it says. The people who build on the rock of Christ do what he says in His Word. All people experience “storms’ in their life but the one who perseveres and withstands is the one who does what God says to do.
This week, I am pondering many things including building the Church, our spiritual homes inside of us/heart/God’s Spirit residing in us, building our family homes where we live, building my son up to be a warrior for Christ, and building our church up. I am trying to learn more about working on projects more communally with everyone doing their part.
Though None Go With Me
The two books that came to my mind today were The Little Red Hen and The Three Little Pigs. The Little Ren Hen has a very good moral although many in the politically correct/socially acceptable movement may disagree. My only complaint is that we can carry independent overboard and be too independent. God did make us to live in community and work together. God said it was not good to be alone. I am starting to see that doing a lot on your own does not mean you are alone. We meet and work with people as we go. I don’t wait or depend on others where I can do it myself unless the Word of God says not to do it.
The Little Red Hen
“In the tale, The Little Red Hen finds a grain of wheat, and asks for help from the other farmyard animals to plant it. However, no animal will volunteer to help her.
At each further stage (harvest, threshing, milling the wheat into flour, and baking the flour into bread), the hen again asks for help from the other animals, but again she gets no assistance.
Finally, the hen has completed her task, and asks who will help her eat the bread. This time, all the previous non-participants eagerly volunteer. However, she declines their help, stating that no one aided her in the preparation work, and eats it with her chicks, leaving none for anyone else.
The moral of this story is that those who show no willingness to contribute to an end product do not deserve to enjoy the end product: "if any man will not work, neither let him eat."[
The Three Little Pigs
- The moral of the story is pretty obvious. when building your future be wise and take your time to build it up right. A good solid foundation and well structured plan can help in times of a storm to prevent financial difficulties. Such as a good savings plan, reliable investments, etc.
- Hard work and enterprise triumphs over evil forces and misfortune
- Don't give up when it comes to your life.
- Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
- Take the time and expense necessary to do things the right way. You may get by for awhile with shortcuts and shoddy work, but in the long run it will cost you.
.
The Bible has many verses like the Little Red Hen saying if you don’t work, you don’t eat. However, the politically correct, socially acceptable story today is that the Red Hen is being unfair by not sharing. I am all for sharing and giving. In fact the verse my son worked on yesterday while we wrote it on lasagna noodles was Proverbs 21:26 – All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. We should give to others. However, in this story the animals had a chance to have food and help and they wanted to play and do what they wanted to it. We are not talking about the disabled, injured, poor who are taking care of young or for other reasons that would prevent someone from working. Many parents would disagree with me but I did teach my son to work hard, be helpful and take responsibility and care for his belongings. The sharing will come as we work on contentment with what God gives and trusting that God provides and we do not need to worry if someone steals or breaks our things. Sharing comes out of realizing the great gifts our God has given us.
Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study:
Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.
Proverbs 19:15 - Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Observations:
1. Slothful, lazy and idle are interchangeable
2. Slothful/Lazy/Idle person shall be put to forced labor, suffer hunger and have nothing in the harvest.
3. The diligent on the other hand will be in places of authority and will be filled.
Applications:
Since a young teenager, I have been identified as a “leader” or one that rules. I would come up with ideas and plans and go forward. I have been called “tenacious”. This quality of endurance that I give praise to God for is not a bad thing. It is a good thing. Following what God says has kept me from being hungry in the spiritual and physical sense. Proverbs 10: 3 says “The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.” Righteousness comes from being clothed with Jesus Christ’s righteousness. We then fear God and depart from evil ways. We are full of thanks for His sacrifice and our lives become the living sacrifice of saying “Yes Lord.” When I think of a deep sleep, I think of a person with no or little discernment. Their conscious has been darkened and they can not see right from wrong many times. They are on auto pilot. Their minds, hearts and emotions are not engaged. They are lifeless devoid of the Spirit of God. A person like this will crave, crave and crave and never have. Also, people that are cast into a deep sleep and have nothing will eat off other people’s emotions, work, and kindness. The sluggard can drain everyone not just of material blessings but of spiritual blessings.
Before becoming a Mother, I was constantly helping everyone. I would work all day, have prayer and accountability groups 3 times a week. I served faithfully in Church as a counselor and small group leader. After becoming a Mother and sensing my true purpose, I gave up a lot of work outside the home. I didn’t have the stamina to do it all. I wanted to train my son as God directed me. During these three and a half years, I have learned a lot. I have learned that I did many things for people that they could have done for themselves. Many times, I helped people come up with plans and directions from the Word of God that were never implemented. This use to upset me but now I do not take it personally. I am learning to ask questions when they come again for help. I ask what they have done since the last time I spoke. I ask them what plan they have for the future.
I think many times I think summer is for fun, camping and trips. I forget that a lot of projects need to do be done in the summer like certain pain jobs, cleaning the garage, planting crops. I have not been diligent in summer time many times. I still think it is the time we should have off for relaxing. I think this applies to spiritual harvest as well. It is important to be investing into lives of others. It doesn’t always have to be a formal role. It can be when we are at the store, at a museum, getting a haircut. Seeds are planted by the lives we live. I am trying to be diligent in teaching my son about God and it is amazing for me to hear account after account of how he stands out. I believe God has a calling on all of our lives and he created us for a purpose to glorify Him in the gifting He gives us. We are not to hide these talents or just spend them on ourselves but to work hard unto Him with every gift He gives.
I am thinking of the song
Verse 1
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
I am thinking of the song
Verse 1
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
VERSE 3
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, no turning back!
Prayer:
Lord, thank you that you give us eternal perspectives. I hear you saying the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Lord, I do want to be a worker but with the right motives. I don’t want to work to look good but unto you for your Glory. Lord, I thank you that knowing you and having others come to know you intimately is a desire on my heart. Lord, use our family and my life wherever I am and whatever I do. God may we work together in and for You. I have decided that even if none want to make break or help with the bread (though none go with me), I still will follow. You are the bread of life and I want to follow you all my days.
Filled with Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge
We are being fashioned for a palace. We are God's spiritual house. Psalm 144:12 - Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace. God is growing us priests in His Kingdom to accomplish His purposes not our own purposes.
Scripture for Week 10, Day 3 is: Proverbs 24:3-4 - Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Observations:
1. Built – Hebrew word banah means fashioned, fortifying, have children, restored. Some say it is the same word God uses when he took the rib from Adam to fashion Eve. Wisdom is seeing with God’s discernment.God’s wisdom restores physical and spiritual house. The verbal root for this word is חכם (hhakham) and means to separate between good and bad, right and wrong, left and right, up and down, etc.
2. Established – Hebrew word I believe is amad meaning to set up or lay the groundwork for, establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment. Also it means to set in order that which is cluttered and to set up straight that which is fallen down. It can also mean to remain or endure. God brings Order out of chaos.
3. 3. Filled – Hebrew word male or mala meaning consecrated, dedicated, completed, accomplished. We as a spiritual house are consecrated, dedicated to God. Likewise our house (family) is too.
Application: If you read through all the Proverbs starting with Proverbs 1, God shows us the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Just as an example, to be wise is to hear and increase learning, to fear the Lord, keep God’s commands, restrain lips, listens and heeds instruction, uses knowledge rightly and attains Godly counsel. The foolish person does not listen to instruction, does not like counsel, pours forth foolishness from lips; despises wisdom and instruction, hates knowledge, does not seek God diligently and does not fear God. I like how in Proverbs 3:13-15 we see why the Proverbs 31 is far more precious than rubies because this same wording is used for wisdom. In Proverbs 3:13-15 it says “happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies and all the things you may desire can not compare with her.” We are told in Proverbs 2 that we are to receive God’s word, treasure His commands, incline our ear to wisdom, apply your heart to understanding, cry out for discernment, lift up voice for understanding, seek for wisdom as silver, search for as hidden treasures then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Apart from Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, we can not be wise. Foolish are wise in their own eyes but God says that “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30. A fool has no delight in understanding but in expressing his own heart (Proverbs 18:2).
Some Scriptures in addition to those mentioned in Application:
Colossians 1:9 – For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1 Peter 2:5 - You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 11:2 - the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship," (-- Exodus 31:3)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for building us up a spiritual house to bring praises to you. Thank you that if our homes on not built on you and your word with Christ being Lord and Savior over all of it that it will be like building on sinking sand. I pray that you make what is fallen and crooked stand upright and straight. Fill our family, home and individual temple of our body and life as a living sacrifice to you. Thank you for the great work you are doing.
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