Wise or Foolish/Knowing and Doing

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. Matthew 7:24 “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. Matthew 7:26 NASB

The last month or so, I have had some disconcerting experiences. I have been in conversations with several believers who were asking for advice or comfort. I am not fond of religious clichés and diligently try to avoid them. So, when I replied or endeavored to meet the need with a biblical viewpoint or admonition I was met with, “I know that, or they know that….but…..the situation isn’t resolved, it isn’t working out the way I want, I feel abandoned by God, angry with God, etc.” It seems that many believers think knowing The truth or A truth is the same as living by the light of that truth. In the situations that I have found troubling the truth is known but not applied. That seems so simple but the most profound truths always are: true wisdom applies what is known to the daily nitty-gritty’s of life. That’s why the apostle John would say, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 Notice he didn’t say, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children knowing the truth.” Huge difference.

The deepest regrets of my life have come from knowing the truth and not living in accordance with that truth. Paul warns us, “If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 Let’s be humble enough when told a truth we already know not to assume that it’s being applied to our current challenge. Let’s be wise builders. In Jesus’ parable both men heard, but only one acted wisely. Let’s walk in the truth and we will find a firm rock under out feet instead of shifting sand of human wisdom and opinion. It will be the difference between standing and falling.

MY PRAYER: Lord, help us to walk humbly with you and those who would try to encourage us. Give us the wisdom to apply what You have taught us. Keep us from deceiving ourselves. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MY CONFESSION: I will be wise. I will hear your words and I will act on them. I will survive any storm. I stand on Your Word!

If We Are The Body

Love Covers

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 NASB

I found a commentary by Charles Wesley on this passage: "Love covereth a multitude of sins - Yea, "love covereth all things." He that loves another, covers his faults, how many soever they be. He turns away his own eyes from them; and, as far as is possible, hides them from others. And he continually prays that all the sinner's iniquities may be forgiven and his sins covered. Meantime the God of love measures to him with the same measure into his bosom."

As I was rereading this, what God brought to my mind was the example of Noah laying naked and drunk in bed. Genesis 9:29 This is the same Noah that of all the men on earth had found favor in the sight of God. He had exercised incredibly obedient faith. Noah began farming, planted a vineyard, and drank of his wine and got drunk. He went from an all time high to an all time low; hero to zero. Ham happened upon his father drunk and naked, sprawled in his tent. Ham saw it and told on him. Could it be that the first gossip spread in the new world was spoken by a man? His other two sons held up a garment and walked in backwards to cover his shame. That is a beautiful picture of love covering sin. Ham brought a curse on himself and his son through his choice, while a blessing was bestowed on the other two sons. I know which example I want to follow. Anyone can judge and point the finger. The real test of character comes when we see someone's need (nakedness). Will we cover it by diligent prayer until that barren place becomes fruitful? Will we come along side with encouragement and loving guidance? Will we expose them to others without thought to the many times Christ has covered and cleansed us and given us our dignity back? Treat others the way you want to be treated, as a good steward and recipient of the richness of His grace.

I pray that God will stamp into our spirits the mental picture of the two sons walking backwards into their father's tent to cover him. I pray that He will form in us the same kind of heart. A heart like His.

MY PRAYER: Lord, we have been the beneficiary of Your love and grace so many times. Help us to extend to others what you have so freely lavished on us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

MY CONFESSION: You have promised us that when we are merciful that we will receive mercy. I stand on Your Word!

Thy Word

Two Roads

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Psalm 1:1-6 NIV

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Robert Frost, from The Road Not Taken

I have always loved this Psalm and committed it to memory as a young Christian. Maybe it is because it starts with a proclamation of blessing. The literal translation of blessed is, “Oh how happy!” I want to be on the path of blessedness don’t you?

David describes two people in this psalm. All of humanity falls into one of the two categories, the righteous and the wicked. The ones David describes as godly are trusting in the righteousness that comes from God, by faith, through Christ’s finished work on the cross. We are not perfect, but when we fall short, as we inevitably do, we repent and He graciously restores us. Those in the OT looked forward to the Coming One and we look back at the cross and resurrection and His return.

There are distinct characteristics of both groups. The righteous:

• Make wise choices based on God’s principles in His word. They don’t live according to ungodly and unbiblical wisdom but delight and meditate in God’s ways and wisdom. We don’t go by opinion polls. Have you noticed that in our society we are being trained to think that if enough people concur on an issue that we have somehow arrived at the truth or rightness of a matter?
• They don’t stand or remain on the path that sinners are on. They are the ones on the narrow way and it may be lonely. They are not following the crowd. They are assured in verse 6 that God’s eye is on them, He sees, and goodness and mercy are following them. They will flourish and be fruitful.

The ungodly are not so:

• They don’t love God or His word. They trust their own crooked hearts to lead them. Very often they are mockers of that which is good.
• They may have material goods, but they will not be blessed or find happiness and peace. They don’t flourish, they wither within.

Before I came to the Lord I read countless biographies in search of a common theme in “successful” lives. I came away disheartened because while there may have been great achievement I didn’t see that ultimately, when they came to the end of their lives, that they were happy, blessed, or at peace. Now I know that they had perished apart from their true purpose. They didn’t love God or enjoy and glorify Him in their journey and into eternity. John Piper put’s it so succinctly, “When Jesus came into the world humanity was split according to what they love. “The light came into the world and men loved darkness rather than light.”(John 3:19). The righteous and the wicked are separated by what they delight in—the revelation of God or the way of the world.”

Delight yourself in the Lord. Taste and see that He is good. During the day meditate on His word, talk to Him more eagerly than the dearest friend. Your road may be narrow and not many on it, but I can promise you a good ending.

MY PRAYER: Lord, thank you that you have given us everything we need for life and godliness. Thank you for the rich delights that await us in your word. Teach us to meditate on that word. Thank you for all your precious promises to us.

MY CONFESSION: I will meditate in your word. I will be like a tree firmly planted by a river. I will be fruitful in every season of life. I stand on your word!

Glorious One

Bring Me Word of Your Unfailing Love

This Psalm fell on me this morning like a refreshing dew from heaven. It is a prayer of David and of every child of God who is dismayed and thirsty at the same time. Let this day bring you the word of His unfailing love.

Psalm 143:1 A psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 143:2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 143:3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. 143:4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 143:5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 143:6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 143:7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.143:9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.143:11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 143:12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.

When its All Been Said and Done

Pursue

We are in Ft. Wayne visiting with our son and daughter-in-law in their new home. My husband and son have worked hard in their unfinished basement and have accomplished a massive amount. Lindsay and I on the other hand have shopped and visited with family and enjoyed the perks of not being involved in "the project." It really has been fun, but now we are headed home.

I feel that now my fall schedule really begins. My thoughts are turning more and more to the Bible study I will be sharing with a group of women and how much I am looking forward to the accountability.

I hope you are doing something to actively pursue growing in the knowledge and grace of the Lord and strengthening your relationship with Him and others. We are encouraged in Hebrews 2:1 to be careful not to drift away from what we have heard. Drift is a word that paints a picture of a gentle, slow slipping away. Are you drifting? Are you losing your passion and focus? Find a prayer group, a Bible study class and join in. If there isn't one, then start one. That's what I did many years ago and what a rich blessing that decision has been.

I have walked with the Lord a long time and I don't forsee a time when I won't need encouraging fellowship and accountability. In 2 Timothy 2:22 Paul encourages Timothy to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Pursuit puts an end to drift.

Send me an email or leave me a message and let me know what your plans are. I would love to hear.

Who Am I?