Tag Archives: mercy

Proverbs Reading – Chapter 3

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The Purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom for godly living.

Solomon’s fathering advice to young people and all who seek wisdom will greatly benefit from these wise words.   Discover the source of wisdom, the value of wisdom and the benefits of wisdom.   Proverbs gives practical suggestions for effective living.   They should call a person to action.  The verses tell how you can live in close relationship to Him and offers positive advice that helps you to make good and righteous decisions. –  notes of the Life Application Study Bible

PROVERBS 3  The title to this chapter is Guidance for the Young

There is a reminder of obedience in the first two verses.  Keeping Gods commands.  Then we are introduced to two important words…mercy and truth.  What more could we want, than for God to find favor with us because we are merciful and truthful.  Your thoughts and words are not enough.  Your life reveals if you are truly merciful and truthful.  What are your definitions of a merciful person and a truthful person?

Verses 5 & 6 are very familiar verses to us.  Many can recite them word for word, but I often wonder if we also apply these scriptures to our lives.  We say we trust in the Lord, but often our actions don’t show that.  Because we take matters into our own hands, especially if we feel God isn’t moving fast enough or the outcome is not turning out the way we wanted.  We then step in front of God to take matters into our own hands; we then show God that we don’t trust Him.  Be honest, have you done that before?  Do you believe that God knows you and your situations better than you do?  So you should trust Him in it, correct?  Think carefully through your decisions, bringing them before God in prayer, seeking out wise counsel from others and using your bible as a guide.  Then follow God’s leading.  Take the time to put ALL things to God, verse 6 says in ALL your ways acknowledge Him.

I actually like verses 7 & 8…”Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”  This chapter is guidance for our young people.  ‘Leave’ from evil…’go away’ from evil.  Doing that will be health to your flesh, you will stay healthy…you will stay alive.  How simply stated is that.  How simple…yet true is that verse?  This is one of many reasons I believe that our children should grow up with biblical principles…because it is truth that will not steer them wrong.  It will steer them to LIFE!

The Study Bible states that giving God the first part of your income demonstrates that God, not possessions, has first place in your life and that our resources belong to Him.  What you have is not because of you, its because of the goodness of our Lord.  Everything you have, God has granted access for you.  Please remember that.  Honor God with His firsts and the rest is your resource to manage properly.  Don’t be greedy, be open to give so you can be blessed.  Like people always say…you can’t take the money with you when you die.  There are some people that God has blessed them to be givers.  Are you that person?

Why do so many people dislike correction?  And correction from God your Creator?  God is our Father.  He’s a parent.  Don’t we expect correction from a parent?  Without correction, how would you know what to do?  Correction and discipline are very important parts of our development for both young people and adults.  Because adults can still develop in areas of their lives.  Correction comes into play when learning the difference between right and wrong.  Discipline is very much a part of our everyday life, not just your spiritual walk.  You become successful from hard work and consistent discipline.  And when you choose to live a life dedicated and disciplined for God, nothing compares to the joy of knowing God.

There is so much in this chapter, but I pray that you are reading through with me…word for word.  There is so much to learn.  See you, next chapter.

 

 

What is your identity?

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I was watching a Periscope one morning of Daniel Stombaugh and he asked the question,

What is your identity?

He said “know who you are TO God and know who you are IN God”

And I kept repeating it over and over in my mind.

Know who you are to God.

Know who you are in God.

Many of us know who we are at work, right? We know our job function and what is expected of us. Know how to get to work, what time to be there and how to get our paycheck.

Many of us know who we are at home, right? Know our role as a parent, as home owner, as a husband, as a wife, as a child.  We know where everything is and pretty much how to use it.  We even know how to walk to the bathroom in the dark.

In all our common knowledge and intellect, we are pretty comfortable.

But when you think about the things of God, what don’t we know?

Do we really know who we are to God? Do we really know how much He loves us?  Do we really understand the sacrifice that was made for us?  Are we totally conscious of His mercy?

Being loved by someone is a powerful motivator. It can give you an inner strength; it can give you a reason to wake up in the morning.  It can change your moods and brighten your days.  This is what God wants to be to us.  We also want to hear someone say I Love You!  Oh boy that would really take us over the edge. LOL and yet God does that every day…all day.  Are we paying attention?  God is love and that love is shown thru the beauty of nature and the fact that we open our eyes each day.  We are the apple of His eye.  A special people to Him.  He is longsuffering, which means he waits and waits and waits and waits for us to come to Him, completely submit to Him, because his wish is that none should perish.

Do you really know who you are in God? Where your strength comes from?  Who fights your battles?

Greater is He that is IN me than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Greater is the God in you than the devils in this world. You must remember that!

I believe having a solid understanding of what we mean to the Lord will help us to stay strong in Him. We won’t be so easily distracted by the enemy’s tactics, the depression, the hopelessness, the anxiety, the worry, the defeat that he tries to lay upon us.  If we truly could understand how loved we are we could be stronger in our fight against the enemy.  The enemy should not be able to so easily get us off course, change our moods, or tempt us, get into our thoughts and change our atmosphere.  God did not create us to be led by the devil or his tricks; He created us to be led by His Spirit!

KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN HIM!

Daniel Stombaugh also said something else in his Periscope that moved me….

Knowing your IDENTITY always brings your purpose.

So if you’re not sure where you fit in, how God wants to use you, or what your purpose is…figure out your identity in God. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and ALL these things will be added unto you.  (Matthew 6:33)  Which means….seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

How can you NOT acknowledge the Creator of your life in all that you do? What would make you think you should live this life never once giving honor to the one who gave you life?  We will love everything around us except God.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”

Luke 12:7 says,” And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Before you were formed, God placed purpose in you and God knows how many hairs are on your head! He is that intimate with you, knows that much about you.

Let me remind you that you were created with a PURPOSE but you have to make the effort to seek God to find what your purpose is. If you want it, go get it!

Press into God even the more so that you can be more intimate with Him. In His presence is assurance, confidence, love, peace and your identity.  Get to know Him, so you can know yourself.

I encourage you to get to know God on a more personal level this year. And if you’re not sure where to start in that relationship…reach out to me.  I will help you.  That’s what I am called to do.