SCRIPTURE
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." (Proverbs 18;4)
OBSERVATION
Are deep waters good or bad? Since the rest of the verse makes a contrast, we can assume they are not good. Why? Jesus said the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. It is in the deep recesses of a person where deceit and the choice morsels of gossip dwell. Evil thoughts, false testimony, slander...words that wound are found here. The heart is the source of these deep waters.
In contrast, wisdom bubbles. It is a fountain of life. From the heart that is pure, the fountain of wisdom refreshes others. Not in an overpowering, forceful gush, but in a refreshing bubbling brook. A bubbling brook is calm and peaceful. Not the torrent of a raging river.
APPLICATION
More often than I want, I can find myself in deep water. Speaking things that are not helpful to others (unfortunately it is my family who gets splashed with the worst of words). However, the words I speak are to be pure and right so they reflect what is truly in my heart. Instead of babbling I need to bubble. When I've attained wisdom (the practical knowledge of who God is and what he desires for my life) it is to naturally bubble to the surface, refreshing others. Words are powerful things. I don't want to wallow in the well but flow like a fountain.
PRAYER
Lord, may the words of my mouth reflect a heart that reflects you.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Kill the Cow
SCRIPTURE
"So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people. Then he set out to follow Elijah and become his servant." (1 Kings 19:20)
OBSERVATION
Elijah was to anoint Elisha to succeed him as a prophet. He found Elisha in the field with twelve yoke of oxen, driving the twelfth pair. Before Elisha followed Elijah he want back and said good-bye to his family. Then he slaughtered the oxen, chopped up the plow, and set out to follow Elijah.
Elisha's commitment to follow Elijah as prophet (follow God's call on his life) meant he jumped in wholeheartedly. He was not going back. He sold out his old life to be sold out to Elijah and his new calling. What if the new gig didn't work? It didn't' matter. By faith he got rid of it all and set out, trusting God for his future. God calls us to total abandonment and surrender to his purpose and mission.
APPLICATION
I've got to kill the cow. That old thing I hang on to just in case. Just in case this following Jesus thing doesn't work, I may need a fall back position. But there is no fall back position. It's either all Jesus or nothing else. What oxen do I have that I need to slaughter? What is the plowing equipment that I need to burn? Elisha illustrated Jesus teaching that "no one who puts his hand on the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom." I need to look ahead. Trust God for my future. He calls me to a life of total surrender. That means letting go of all else until I'm just holding him. He is enough.
PRAYER
Lord, I need to release my grip on the things that hold me so I can hold on to you.
"So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people. Then he set out to follow Elijah and become his servant." (1 Kings 19:20)
OBSERVATION
Elijah was to anoint Elisha to succeed him as a prophet. He found Elisha in the field with twelve yoke of oxen, driving the twelfth pair. Before Elisha followed Elijah he want back and said good-bye to his family. Then he slaughtered the oxen, chopped up the plow, and set out to follow Elijah.
Elisha's commitment to follow Elijah as prophet (follow God's call on his life) meant he jumped in wholeheartedly. He was not going back. He sold out his old life to be sold out to Elijah and his new calling. What if the new gig didn't work? It didn't' matter. By faith he got rid of it all and set out, trusting God for his future. God calls us to total abandonment and surrender to his purpose and mission.
APPLICATION
I've got to kill the cow. That old thing I hang on to just in case. Just in case this following Jesus thing doesn't work, I may need a fall back position. But there is no fall back position. It's either all Jesus or nothing else. What oxen do I have that I need to slaughter? What is the plowing equipment that I need to burn? Elisha illustrated Jesus teaching that "no one who puts his hand on the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom." I need to look ahead. Trust God for my future. He calls me to a life of total surrender. That means letting go of all else until I'm just holding him. He is enough.
PRAYER
Lord, I need to release my grip on the things that hold me so I can hold on to you.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Mr. Smarty Pants
SCRIPTURE
"As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been." (1 Kings 11:4)
OBSERVATION
God told Solomon he could ask for anything when he became king. Solomon asked for wisdom so God gave him a "wise and discerning heart" unlike anyone who has ever lived. His wisdom came with a warning, "don't intermarry with foreign women because they will turn your heart away from God." Well Solomon did not intermarry with a foreign woman...he married several hundred wives and had three hundred concubines. The longer he lived with them (as he grew old) his heart turned after other gods. His defenses were worn down.
Perhaps Solomon's strength was also his downfall. The guy who knows everything and can be told nothing. "Many wives...yeah, yeah, yeah. I know." Maybe he thought his wisdom was wiser than God's warning. After all, people traveled great distances to listen to him. His ego may not have been kept in check and he may have become too big for his breeches...a regular smarty pants, a know it all that led to a downfall.
APPLICATION
I cannot outsmart God. He always knows better and I am to obey. I need to walk humbly before him and not be puffed up with knowledge. Yes, I am to learn God's word and know what God's will is for my life. However, as much as I know, or think I know, there is much I still don't know. I need to maintain a teachable spirit. God, still knows best no matter what I know. My edumacation cannot become my god, you are my God.
PRAYER
Lord, you are infinitely wise, much more than me. Teach me your ways so I can walk in your truth.
"As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been." (1 Kings 11:4)
OBSERVATION
God told Solomon he could ask for anything when he became king. Solomon asked for wisdom so God gave him a "wise and discerning heart" unlike anyone who has ever lived. His wisdom came with a warning, "don't intermarry with foreign women because they will turn your heart away from God." Well Solomon did not intermarry with a foreign woman...he married several hundred wives and had three hundred concubines. The longer he lived with them (as he grew old) his heart turned after other gods. His defenses were worn down.
Perhaps Solomon's strength was also his downfall. The guy who knows everything and can be told nothing. "Many wives...yeah, yeah, yeah. I know." Maybe he thought his wisdom was wiser than God's warning. After all, people traveled great distances to listen to him. His ego may not have been kept in check and he may have become too big for his breeches...a regular smarty pants, a know it all that led to a downfall.
APPLICATION
I cannot outsmart God. He always knows better and I am to obey. I need to walk humbly before him and not be puffed up with knowledge. Yes, I am to learn God's word and know what God's will is for my life. However, as much as I know, or think I know, there is much I still don't know. I need to maintain a teachable spirit. God, still knows best no matter what I know. My edumacation cannot become my god, you are my God.
PRAYER
Lord, you are infinitely wise, much more than me. Teach me your ways so I can walk in your truth.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
I'm a Waiter
SCRIPTURE
"As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased." (Acts 7:17)
OBSERVATION
Stephen was defending his belief in Jesus before the religious ruling council. In that speech he gave a brief history lesson of God's people. God appeared to Abraham and told him to go to the land he would show him. However, Abraham himself did not actually receive the land as his inheritance, not even enough ground to set his foot on. God would fulfill his promise by raising up Moses as the one who would lead the people into the Promised Land. As the time drew near...nearly 400 years after God's promise to Abraham.
God waited for the right time. He could do today what he could do tomorrow because he is God. But he won't do today what he will tomorrow because he is God. He could have fulfilled his promise to Abraham in an instant. Abraham and Sarah could've packed up the kiddos and camels and moved into their new home. God's promise was not for him but for his descendents. So after nearly 400 years God finally fulfilled his promise (Israelites leave Egypt, wander in wilderness for 40 years no less, and enter the land). That's 10 generations. We tend to think God should get on with it, in our lifetime. But in his plan our lifetime means nothing because while we mark our lives by time he does not.
APPLICATION
As the time drew near...time was ticking away and God was waiting. After many people had lived and died his promise was finally fulfilled. I realized I may only get to see a sliver of God's activity in my lifetime. I think just because God can do it, he should do it, and do it right now. God is not in a hurry, he is not late, he is not early, he is always right on time. There is one thing I've noticed about God's people, they are waiters. Truly in both senses of the word. They are to serve others, but they are also to pass the time, hang around while God is working out his plan. As the time draws near, I've discovered my new calling is that of a waiter.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't understand your timing because you are beyond time. But I can trust your character as I watch the clock.
"As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased." (Acts 7:17)
OBSERVATION
Stephen was defending his belief in Jesus before the religious ruling council. In that speech he gave a brief history lesson of God's people. God appeared to Abraham and told him to go to the land he would show him. However, Abraham himself did not actually receive the land as his inheritance, not even enough ground to set his foot on. God would fulfill his promise by raising up Moses as the one who would lead the people into the Promised Land. As the time drew near...nearly 400 years after God's promise to Abraham.
God waited for the right time. He could do today what he could do tomorrow because he is God. But he won't do today what he will tomorrow because he is God. He could have fulfilled his promise to Abraham in an instant. Abraham and Sarah could've packed up the kiddos and camels and moved into their new home. God's promise was not for him but for his descendents. So after nearly 400 years God finally fulfilled his promise (Israelites leave Egypt, wander in wilderness for 40 years no less, and enter the land). That's 10 generations. We tend to think God should get on with it, in our lifetime. But in his plan our lifetime means nothing because while we mark our lives by time he does not.
APPLICATION
As the time drew near...time was ticking away and God was waiting. After many people had lived and died his promise was finally fulfilled. I realized I may only get to see a sliver of God's activity in my lifetime. I think just because God can do it, he should do it, and do it right now. God is not in a hurry, he is not late, he is not early, he is always right on time. There is one thing I've noticed about God's people, they are waiters. Truly in both senses of the word. They are to serve others, but they are also to pass the time, hang around while God is working out his plan. As the time draws near, I've discovered my new calling is that of a waiter.
PRAYER
Lord, I don't understand your timing because you are beyond time. But I can trust your character as I watch the clock.
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