Wisdom

"Wisdom calls out...

She takes her stand on top of the high hill

where the paths meet...

Listen to me...

Hear instruction and be wise

Do not ignore me...

Whomever finds me finds life and favor from the Lord,

All those who hate me love death" 

Excerpts from Proverbs 8

We have all been at the cross-roads; sometimes the paths are marked clearer than others for which direction is the wise path and which is the obvious wrong path.  Reading a Proverb a day gives an opportunity to absorb some of God's wisdom, that He says has been around longer than the dust of the Earth.  His wisdom has existed as long as He has - forever.  Why, then, do we so often think we know better than Him?  Why do we assume a little trip down the wrong path will not entail the same consequences for us as it has for so many others?  There are times the outward appearance of that assumption is true, but that is never the case with a true Christ-follower.  The Lover of our soul loves us far too much to allow sin and wrong choices to not impact us; whether those consequences are external for others to see or internal shouldn't matter, we need to be obedient and return to Him.  

Often there is one huge obstacle that must be moved from our way prior to that return - US!  Our pride is so thick sometimes that we cannot see God speaking to us.  Take David for instance, thankfully, his pride was dissolving as God sent Nathan to confront him about his sin.  What was David's initial response though?  PRIDE - 2 Samuel 12:5, "David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, 'As surely as the LORD lives, that man deserves to die!"  Can't you picture it?  David being upright and lauded all these years for his obedience and closeness with God, if anyone, he had the right to judge and condemn someone!  The problem is, just like David, the recipient of the hard to swallow confrontation, he had to then evaluate himself, just as Nathan had done prior to delivering this message from God.  Nathan was obedient, now it was time for David to chose once again which road to take, the wise one (humility)- repenting and deciding to grow closer in his relationship with the Lord once again, or the wrong one (pride)- defending himself, condemning Nathan for his audacity to approach him, killing and slandering him by spreading word of his audacity to approach the king.  I am so thankful David chose the wise, humble path, he heard the voice, obeyed, and found life and favor from the Lord once again.

What about you?  Just as a child grows into maturity, parents and other influences are strategically placed within their life to guide them, correct them at times, rebuke them at times, comfort them at times...and confront them at times.  Before lashing out in defensiveness and anger, take the information before God, He is the One who knows our heart inside and out and can perform the perfect evaluation.  Maybe 97% of what was said is off base, but there is 3% right on target, but you are too proud to accept.  Ask the Lord to reveal whatever percentage is true.  That goes along with compliments as well.  Unfortunately many people are quick to fill a person's sails with fluff.  Make sure it lines up with what God truly knows about you as well.  Lastly, if the approaching person is a Christian brother or sister in Christ, do your best to not backlash them.  They are your eternal sister or brother, if we are fighting or biting at one another, why would onlookers care to have this 'Christianity' that we have?  Every action matters, every word matters...I pray this was an encouragement to you today and that your day is a blessed one!

 

Current Christian Behavior: Is it Christ-Like?

I am well aware this post will be very controversial, even among some strong Christian leaders; however, the Lord has not allowed my spirit to rest.  My duty is to obey, so please know that every word written is done so with humility and much prayer - for God to impart to every reader what He wills.

As I have been looking at the news feed on my Facebook page, my heart has been hurting over the consumption of hate and bickering going back and forth between Christians and non-Christians alike.  It all really starting snowballing after Chick-Fil-A's President responded to the public and confirmed his stance on gay marriage, and it has certainly spiraled since. ( Please allow me to pause to affirm and applaud Mr. Dan Cathy for remaining firm on his beliefs, and I will certainly continue eating there.) After seeing the "Left" calling for boycotts, I began noticing the uproar coming from the Christian community.

The Lord really began pricking my heart, and I didn't quite understand why; of course, as many know, our lack of understanding doesn't quiet the Lord's urging.  The response of the Christians continued to gnaw at me; comments about how ridiculous it was that people would boycott because of personal beliefs and the like reminded me of a time not very long ago when Christian leaders were urging believers to boycott other privately owned businesses because they gave money that supported anti-Christian values like planned parenthood.  If Christians call out for a boycott, why is it wrong when others call out for one for a company that supports the opposite of their striving? Why are we expecting the unbelieving world to behave and have the moral compass of a Christ-follower?  In the end, with both calling for a boycott, which one is representing Jesus...or is either?

If Jesus were walking among us, would He call for a boycott because the unsaved board of XYZ Company makes a decision to support and advocate for gay marriage or planned parenthood?  (Again, I am in no way, shape or form advocating these agendas, I am simply attempting to remove the Christian-culture glasses for you for a moment.)  In Jesus day, what would such a scenario as this look like?  If you immediately thought of Jesus throwing the vendors out of the temple (Matthew 21:12; John 2:14-16), I must disagree.  Look, instead, at Matthew 9:10, Mark 2:15, Luke 5:29 & 30...what do you see here?  Did Jesus boycott the tax collectors?  No.  He dined with them, He befriended them, built a relationship with them, and eventually saved them.

The current Christian behavior saddens me, and I am very often guilty of it as well.  Christ did not die for the sins of whole world so that we can live within a Christian bubble.  Think about it, who stepped out of their bubble to share Him with you?  If you still cannot see where I am coming from, I will give you a very practical and local example.  When is the last time your church threw a baby shower for a non-member; that is virtually unheard of!  As I said before, I am not saying to not support believers, I am eating at Chick-Fil-A later today, August 1st, in support of them, as believers rally together to support one another as we should.

I mentioned before that I am often guilty of the Christian bubble mentality...He is slowly and steadily moving me out of it.  When we have a Christian bubble mentality, we are often saying the words, "I'll never...I would never..."  Be careful, many, if not most of the the "nevers" I have said the Lord has given me the opportunity to be tested in, some, by the grace of God I have passed, but many I have failed and had to retest.  He does not demand perfection, but humility and progress. 

There is a story found in Luke 18:10-14 about the prayers of two men: the Publican and the Pharisee.  One approached God, thanking Him that he wasn't too bad of a guy; the other, unable to even look up, beat his chest and begged God for forgiveness for such a sinner as himself...which one are you?  I am too often looking at this fallen world, those unbelieving leaders, and thanking God I am not like them, rather than reflecting on how far from perfect I am, and begging the Lord to not give up on me, but to continue testing me - using me.

I pray the Lord spoke to you through this post, and that each word was accepted with the humility it was written in.  Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.  Have a blessed day!

What a Humble Place to Be

"I beseech you, therefore, brothers (and sisters),

by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable to God,

which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

For the past few months, a part of this verse has stuck out in my mind anytime I begin doing something that I would rather not be doing.  I know that may sound a bit weird, so I'll provide you with an example, while vacuuming the floors I get this odd urge to go ahead and mop them, even if it is just a small section, and the Lord whispers to my heart, "after all this is your reasonable service."  My body doesn't really want to mop the floor, but I know in my heart  the Lord told me to do it, therefore, what am I going to do, say no? Weeeelllll.....I've been down that road enough times to know it isn't fun! (That doesn't mean I still don't do it occasionally, though!)

But throughout the day today and this evening, in every little thing I did, He was constantly whispering, "this is your reasonable service..."  Finally, I stopped, went to my trusty www.blueletterbible.org and looked up those words, 'reasonable service'.  There is was, Romans 12:1.  I know He is leading me to this chapter, and oh, boy, just read the rest...what a humble place to be!

The past few months He has been teaching me about humility, true humility.  At times, especially when I am being challenged in such an awesome way, I pull away from my time with my Lord  because I am unsure His next turn, but I always return, knowing He is faithful and His plans for me are for my good.  Humility is scary sometimes, but it doesn't have to be when you realize Who's hand has you.

Has He been whispering something to your heart lately?  Have you stopped long enough to look it up and see where He may be leading you?  I strongly urge you to, He only wants what's best for you!!

Have a blessed day!