Wisdom Calls

On July 26, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 8: 32, 35

Now then, sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. For one who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.

There is a lot to love in this proverb and, again, it has been a challenge to choose a verse or two. I will continue to put the link for the proverb at the bottom so that it is easy for you to click and read the entire proverb. The part about wisdom being created and when she was created is fascinating. I chose these two passages, though, because they speak to how we live our lives and the choices we make.

The first idea to take note of is that we can choose to seek wisdom. James 1: 5 reads, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” So, we can receive wisdom by asking Father for it. That is what Solomon did. In 1st Kings, chapter 3 you can read the story of Solomon’s request and God’s grant of wisdom. Solomon became the wisest king of all time because he asked.

There is, perhaps, a little more to seeking than a one time request, however. If you read the story in 1st Kings, you will see that Solomon was devoted to the Lord and had a longing for the things of God. He sought God and in that seeking He found the Lord. I think seeking is done with the heart rather than the mouth. Request is made unto God through speech, but it is with our hearts that we reach out to Yahweh. When we seek God with the strength of our spirit, then we are always going to find Him. Seeking wisdom is the same. When we seek her with determined purpose, our hearts set on our desire, then we shall receive.

The fruit of wisdom is beyond comparison. I remember as a young adult reading these passages from proverbs, and they invigorated me. They still inspire. In wisdom’s palms are treasures of every kind, but life and the favor of the Lord certainly make up the grand prize. What shall we desire once we have the favor of the Lord?

Seeking wisdom is not a one and done. It is a way of life. As life changes, we need refreshing. The wisdom of yesterday was for yesterday. Tomorrow the need will be different. Dedicate your heart and mind to seeking wisdom. Look for her and she will find you.

Proverb 8:

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverb+8&version=NASB

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Inspiration

On July 23, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

It is most humbling seeing the kindness and generosity of your blessed and anointed hearts. Christ within you is so evident.  As your donations are coming in for the Bike MS event, not only am humbled, but I am also blessed and inspired.  I feel more impetus to get out on my bike and do my part for you and for those with MS.  I cannot do enough to thank you, but I will do my best.

Here I am on a recent ride.

This was at my 35 mile rest stop on a 50 mile ride.  That is my longest ride to date.  I am training hard for the 50 mile ride in September at the Tour to Tanglewood Bike MS event.  That ride will have alot of climbing, so I need to keep up the training.  It will be a big ride for me, but I have you and that truly does make a difference.

Thank you for inspiring me.  Thank you for your kind heart.  You have certainly touched mine.  I will keep working hard and together we will make a difference in the lives of those with MS.

For those of you who work for companies who do charitable giving matching, please consider asking your company for a matching gift.

You can follow my mileage and training rides on my MS personal page.  Here is my link: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/Ivey-Rorie

Thank you again,

Ivey

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Keep your Distance

On July 19, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 7: 8

Passing through the street near her corner; and he walks along the way to her house.

Solomon gives an important insight to surviving against temptation in this Proverb. Keep your distance.

Everyone has their temptation, those things which weaken us. Regardless of each our particular weaknesses, there is a solid strategy, keep it far from you. Solomon advises us to stay far from that which tempts us. Don’t go near the temptation.

This is a small example but perhaps fits – I like soda, and it is a great temptation for me. So, I just cannot bring it in my house. Not all temptation is as simple as this, but it does all work in similar fashion. If you know something is detrimental to your life and faith, then you must stay away from the corner where it lives.

When we speak of temptation, we tend to think of the big things. This proverb speaks explicitly about adultery, but also, implicitly about anything which steals from your best life. Sometimes we have not taken fair notice of those things which encumber our best life. Maybe it is diet problems like soda, but there are so many things which cost us. Perhaps it is the lure of something as simple as television, maybe the attraction of sleeping in. I don’t call these sins but for some of us they may rank as such. They are still things which shackle us and prevent us from living the life Jesus died to give us, the life our Father destined for us. We become slaves to these lusts and give in to them rather than making wise choices, and that is what this book of proverbs is about, wisdom.

Take some time to look at life. What is the temptation which often wins the day? What would you like out of your life and what are those things which are stealing from you? Once identified, make a plan to steer clear of them. Figure out what you must do to follow Jesus’ ways and God’s plan for your life. Don’t get to the finish line with a truck load of regrets. Make today the day you take charge. Pray over the things which are temptations. Put them in the Father’s hands and receive His help. None of us, not one of us, can do anything apart from Him, so why would we even try? Get engaged with the Father and let Him help you to keep your distance from those things which would plot to steal your life.

Proverb 7

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverb+7&version=NASB

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Seven Things

On July 12, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 6: 16 – 19

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who declares lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

Did you know that our Lord hates some things? We know Him to be love and preach Him that way, but there are things which he detests.

Our God is very passionate. I think we often paint Him as somber and stoic, but I do not believe that is an accurate representation. He loves and He hates, just as we do. The difference, though, is that He does not hate people. He hates behaviors. He can love the person whose “feet run rapidly to evil” even while He despises their actions. That is an interesting phenomenon, one that might give us comfort even as it challenges us to love as He does.

Take a look again at the things which move God to hate and perhaps put some other words in place. For haughty eyes you might think arrogance or self-importance; a lying tongue, well that one is simple. He hates lying in all its forms and doesn’t seem to see different colors or sizes of lies; not even little or white. For hands that shed innocent blood is it a reference to murder or might it extend to manslaughter?

I will let you do the rest for yourself but take note of two things. First, lying is in this list twice. That is quite a statement. Second, have a look at the strife issue. Apparently, God hates when people stir up strife.

I find this pretty eye opening but again, I hope you will read the entire proverb. There is much more in this proverb as with them all. Maybe look at Proverb 6 in its entirety (link below) and chose which verse or passage you would have chosen, and maybe highlight it in your Bible. Then when you see those Proverbs later, those particular verses will take you right back to this Journey through the Proverbs.

Proverb 6:

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverb+6&version=NASB

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Happy Birthday

On July 5, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Galatians 5: 1

 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

I hope you have been savoring the sweet taste of freedom this weekend.  I imagine many of you have today off to celebrate our political freedom.  As you do, say a thank you to Jesus for your personal freedom as well.  You know, the two are interconnected.  Political freedom is not worth much without personal freedom.  The price has been paid by countless citizens for our religious, political and personal freedom but it was Jesus who created the platform by which others have been able to stand for the liberties we now enjoy.

I am so very grateful for those who paid the price and for all who continue to pray for our country and our leaders today.  Freedom still has a high cost but praise our Lord who gave us freedom so that we could pursue liberty.  Thank you Lord.  And Happy Birthday America!

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First Love

On June 28, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 5: 1 – 5

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding, so that you may maintain discretion and your lips may comply with knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

We can talk about adultery in the narrowest sense. In this case, a married man having an extra-marital affair. We understand that. However, perhaps these verses have a broader context as well. We, the beloved, have stepped out on God who is our first love, our true love. We have put our careers, human relationships, sports, food and about everything you can name before Him. When we are supposed to be with Him, we are giving our affection to other things or people. They have become the adulteress who lures us away from the one true love and they lead us into Sheol, to our demise, to our death. We, not just individually, but collectively. We, the church, have forsaken our first love.

Later, in this proverb, Solomon says to be satisfied with the wife of your youth. That speaks of God who loved us first, who loved us before our great-grandparents were born, who saw us from the pre-dawn of time and dedicated Himself to us forever.

As a body, and as individuals, our hearts long to return to our first love and be satisfied. However, all the other components of who we are and life’s complexities conspire to steal us away from the deepest love of our heart. It takes dedication and determined purpose to retain the zeal of young love. Remember how sweet this love is and fall in love all over again.

Proverb 5: 

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverb+5&version=NASB

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Acquire Wisdom

On June 21, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 4: 7

The beginning of wisdom is: acquire wisdom; and with all your possessions, acquire understanding.

If we wish to be persons of wisdom then the starting point is, seek wisdom. This verse immediately separates the fools from those who would be wise because in order to acquire wisdom, one must seek her. The first step to being wise is to get wisdom. That makes sense, doesn’t it?

From where will you get wisdom? Well, this book of proverbs is a really good start. I hope you are taking the time to read the entire proverb. There is a link at the bottom of this devotion which will take you to Proverb 4.

Most importantly, God gives wisdom. James 1: 5 reads, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Solomon received wisdom from God because he requested it. He understood that the task before him was beyond his means, so he asked God to give him the requisite wisdom and God did. We should not overlook the opportunity to commune with God and receive all we need from Him.

We should understand that God will speak to our own hearts and minds when we inquire of Him. However, it is also likely that God will use another person to impart answers to you. It seems to me that we live in a time when people do not want to acknowledge that others may have knowledge or wisdom that we do not. However, there are people who have travelled the road before us and others who are anointed by God to offices which are intended to aid us. Sometimes, humility is the key we need to open the door to wisdom. That is a difficult admission. Recognize also that God has commissioned libraries of books which reveal His wisdom. If we truly wish to attain wisdom, we must be wise and humble enough to search for it and search passionately. Solomon reveals that in order to attain the wisdom of God, we must exercise enough wisdom to seek His ways.

The first step is ours. God is willing to give us His wisdom generously and without reproach. Ask of God and be willing to hear His answer. Search for wisdom and you shall find her. She is not rain, though and thus, will not fall out of the sky upon us. She is a precious gem which must be sought after.

The beginning of wisdom is, acquire wisdom.

Proverb 4:

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverb%204&version=NASB

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