Trust and Acknowledge.

Proverbs 3

I Love This Chapter! I believe it was the first passage I was ever required to remember (Christian school). That was 34 years ago. Precious memories flood my soul with each verse that I reread.

When it comes to "life verses," the wonderful words of 5 and 6 are probably the most popular among all believers:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Trust and Acknowledge. Some may think it to be oversimplification, but there is no better way to approach a complicated life than with this simple motto.

Do we believe that God orders and orchestrates the events of our lives? For me, it is obvious. Retrospection has always revealed to me the wisdom of God in plan and direction and implementation of God's will for me in my moments, days and seasons of life. I only wish I had been more cooperative with His plan. It would be best if my clay were more malleable in the capable hands of the Potter.

My goal today is to trust my Maker whole-heartedly, acknowledging Him in every decision so that my paths will be God directed, each one leading me a step closer to home.

An "Oops" and a Head's Up

Well, yesterday's blog about the ark of God was sure a big 'oops!' When am I ever going to learn not to believe any news coming out of Rome? Apparently the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia was "misinterpreted," whatever! So now it's back to living by faith and not by sight. :<)

Surprise of surprises! My dear wife, Lynn has actually posted a blog or two. So simply click back a page or so and click on "Lynn's Blog" for some good devotional thoughts.

For today I want to impart to you a wonderful quote from the King James Bible preface. I think you’ll enjoy this paragraph: “But among all our joys, there was no one that more filled our hearts, than the blessed continuance of the preaching of God’s sacred Word among us; which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth; because the fruit thereof extendeth itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that eternal happiness which is above in heaven.”

We are going on a much needed and anticipated family vacation following Sunday services. Branson is our destination. Included in this trip is a professionally guided fishing trip on Table Rock Lake, compliments of my family as a Father's Day gift. We are really excited about going to "Noah, the Musical." I hope I can gather some insight and inspiration from this production. (I guess it will be like moving on from one ark to the other :<)

We will be out of pocket for several days, but I hope to find wi-fi somewhere to try to keep on posting.

Blessings to all who follow this post.

Hark, is that the Ark?

I am as excitedly nervous as can be about the supposed Friday unveiling of the Ark of the Covenant that has been rumored to be in Ethiopia for the past 24-26 hundred years.
The story of how it got there has always made perfect sense to me. Solomon linked up with the Queen of Sheba who came up to Jerusalem to see if everything she had heard about him were true. Eventually she said, the half has not been told! It is even said that Canticles, the Song of Solomon, was based on their love story.
As the account goes, they had a son as a result of their relationship who grew to become very ardent in his faith in the God of Solomon’s fathers. As Solomon’s life and morals began to decline as he took numerous wives and concubines who worshiped false deities, he became suspicious of Solomon’s stand for God (YHWH). He supposedly replicated the Ark, slipped the fake one into the temple and spirited the real Ark to Ethiopia for safe keeping, where it has remained unto this day.
If tomorrow’s announcement of the unveiling by The patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia is the real deal, we are about to lay eyes on the greatest archaeological find in the history of mankind. In that Ark should be the two tables of stone carved by the very finger of Almighty God several thousand years ago on Sinai and given to Moses for Israel and the world.
Now, do you understand why I am excited? To believers, it will only strengthen their faith. To many of the lost, it will mean nothing. Even such a discovery would not shake their devotion to their self-god. But there are many who may just have a reality seed planted concerning the veracity of God’s Word. I can only pray!
By the way, could you imagine if Mr. Netanyahu could get his grubbies on this? The Iranian Mullahs wouldn’t stand a chance if it came to fists over their nuke program.
Finally, the real importance of the Ark, should this prove to be it, is that the timing could not be better. The Temple Institute has trained its priests for service in the next temple. Furnishings, instruments and vestments have all been prepared. A true red heifer has been genetically produced, whose ashes would be needed to cleanse the temple. All that remains would be the building of the temple and a false Christ to sit therein. And now, this, the Ark, ready to be shipped to the spot for the completion of the scenario.
Lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh!!!

Got Wisdom?

Pro 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
Pro 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Pro 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Pro 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Pro 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Pro 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

It strikes me as I read this passage how difficult wisdom is to come by. How many people do we know that are wisdom challenged? See what I mean? You could probably count on one hand the people you know whom you consider to be sage individuals.

In my own experience, I know that the Lord desires me to have wisdom in the decisions I make, but it never seems to come very easily.

Bro. James tells us that if any of us lack wisdom, we should ask God, Who gives to all men liberally and upbraids not.

And yet, that wisdom must be diligently sought. Look at these verses concerning wisdom, understanding and knowledge...
(v 2) We have to incline our ear and apply our heart
(v 3) We have to cry after and lift up our voice for them
(v 4) We must mine them as ore

In each of these word pictures we see that the wisdom we seek is readily available and offered to us but it has to be worked for.

It is said that that which is easily gained is not readily appreciated. The same is the case with this golden prize called wisdom.

I don't know about you, but I have to get to work today inclining, applying, crying, shouting and mining because I need a lot of wisdom. There are many forks in my trails. I have important decisions to make. I can't lean unto my own understanding because it always fails. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12

I need the mind of God in my finances, my health, my church, my family, my plans, my relationships, in so many areas.

Practically then, where are the mines rich with nuggets of wisdom that I need?

1. If I would incline my ear unto wisdom, it stands to reason that I must listen to those who are wise. Biblical preaching and teaching would be one venue. Sitting at the feet of wise individuals, drinking in their understanding would be another. So, church, a good radio station, the right kind of TV, videos, DVDs, good books, etc. These are the places I can garner wisdom as I listen to others.

2. In the application of my heart to understanding I imagine myself thinking and studying, listening to the Spirit of God within me as I meditate on His still small voice dispensing silvery veins of knowledge within my heart.

3. As I stand at the mouth of the cavernous mines of sound wisdom, thirdly, I call into the mine, sounding and seeking with my voice for direction to the richest ores to sustain me in my quest for answers to my dilemmas. This is called prayer and petition. We have not because we ask not. If we would but plead to the Lord, He will direct us to the places to dig.

4. The most productive mine of all is the Word of God. No other book can touch the hem of the garment of the Bible.

I think of the book of Proverbs, the Sermon on the Mount, the writings of Paul, the gospels rich in the divine teachings of our Savior.

Here is what I have found, the Bible is a living Book. It has a sufficient answer for every question I have ever had. And that answer has always come on the very day I dug for wisdom concerning my problem.

Lord, lead me to the truth I need for today's questions. I am listening, meditating, crying out and digging. Thank you for not turning me down in my quest for answers.

Muddy Gloves or Glovey Mud?

Pro 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Pro 1:11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
Pro 1:12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
Pro 1:13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
Pro 1:14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
Pro 1:15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
Pro 1:16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Pro 1:17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
Pro 1:18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

I was shown the following verse as a teen: Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners. I Cor 15:33

The illustration that was given was about kids throwing muddy snowballs at each other, wearing white gloves. Once they have finished, you can see the mud all over the white gloves, but you can't perceive much of the white glove remaining on the muddy snowballs.

It happens every time. Good people try to hang out with and influence wicked individuals. A godly girl marries an unbeliever. A Christian thinks he can convert the lost by frequenting their ungodly haunts and the same thing generally results. The darkness snuffs out the light rather than the intended opposite. We are, in fact, commissioned to influence our dark world. But not at the price of our own light being snuffed out. We are to be in the world, but not of it. Therefore the Word is plain, we are not to link up with evil.

Our verses today show what may be the result, the temptation to perform unconscionable acts which break all of God's holy laws.

The reading of Proverbs 1:10-18 is akin to reading Romans 3, where the whole human race is condemned for its nose-thumbing at the heavens.

But wisdom is busy making itself clear:
Pro 1:20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
Pro 1:21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
Pro 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Pro 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Pro 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
Pro 1:25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

Proverbs is a great daily reminder to listen to the voice of wisdom and ignore those tempting voices to break the Law of God.

Let's encourage our children (and ourselves) to be influenced by the right voices and to avoid getting our gloves muddy.

Lord, let me be a godly influence today in whichever venue you place me. Let me not be enticed by evil voices beckoning me to forsake your law. Give me wisdom and discernment to not be unezually yoked with unbelievers. In Jesus' name, Amen!

It All Starts Here

Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

What do you fear? Snakes? Heights? Roller coasters? Spiders? The Dark? Why is it that we fear these things? Because we have a great respect for what we perceive is their ability to do harm.

God is good to all, even the undeserving, yet those who understand His power to reverse their good fortune, health, power, happiness or progress tread lightly in His presence. They understand that He is the one in charge and respect His leadership in their lives.

These same individuals have embarked on the path of wisdom.

Conversely, those who fail to recognize the wisdom and instruction of the Lord though His Word are destined to remain as fools. The fool, Psalms tells us on two occasions, has said in his heart that there is no God.

There are those who say you cannot love what you fear. I say they have not understood a healthy relationship between a father and his child. A wise child will understand that dad deeply loves him/her and always has his/her best at heart. Yet they know that they had better not break the rules, for he has the power to chasten them to get them back on track.

It is easy for us as Christians to say that we readily respect our Lord, yet, practically and on a day by day, moment by moment basis, are we listening to His wisdom and instruction?

Lord, we believe. As you have loved us, we do our best to reciprocate. Also, we have great respect for your omnipotence. We crown you King of our lives once again this day as we cede our heart’s thrones to you. Give us this day the wisdom and instruction to accomplish your holy will for our lives. Amen.

Teachable

Pro 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
Pro 1:4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Pro 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Have you heard this one? "You can always tell a preacher, but you can't tell him much?" I suppose you could substitute many other types for preacher, but that one is a great example. Some folks, nah, most folks feel they know it all and are not open to new ideas and they surely don't want to find that they were wrong about anything.

I am refreshed to come upon someone who is open to instruction, or, teachable. They are like the sponge, ready to soak up knowledge, wisdom and instruction.

Rush Limbaugh, the pompous one, talks about kids being young skulls full of mush whose minds need to be molded into the right kind of thinking.

The Proverbs are a great opportunity for solid teaching and learning. The wisdom imparted in this book is unequalled anywhere, anytime.

The question is then, are we teachable? God has timeless truths available by way of proverbs, short, wise sayings gathered from years of experience.