Wisdom doesn't come from me!

Proverbs 28:26

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. 

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. 

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (NIV)

Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. 

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (NIV)

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (NIV)

Ultimately God is our wisdom. We can not find it aside from Him. Praise God He has given us His word and instructions that we don't have to be lacking. 

Study His word today. It will bring you peace, it will bring you life. You will never regret studying Gods word. 

Blessings. 

Counsel of the wicked

Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed is the man who does not walk in counsel of wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers, but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by the streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 

Some days I find my primary focus is on myself, the things I think I need, the things I think I need done, my timetable, my desires for my life. Usually when I see this verse I think I shouldn't walk in counsel of those wicked people all around me.  But today I looked a little deeper. I am wicked. 

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Why am I walking in my own counsel?  Why am I trying to counsel myself on all the things that need to be set straight in my life?  I have a great God who has lovingly given me a beautiful book to seek counsel from. I have a gracious God who lovingly and patiently listens to my every word and comforts me. Why would I listen to the wicked counsel that comes from my own deceitful heart when I have a King who desires to lead me on the right path?  Why would I choose to go my own way when His way will lead me to peaceful streams and success in His goals for my life. Goals He designed for me. 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

So today I will bring my mind back to focusing on  the beautiful words God has given us and take the focus off me and delight myself in the LORD. 

Blessings

Perfect Peace

So then, my brothers, ⌊you are⌋ dearly loved and longed for — my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:1, 4-9 HCSB)

I am thankful for the gift of peace. It is a gift that I do not deserve. But God has graciously given it to me. Because He loves me and for that reason alone. He longs for me. What amazing words. The God who created the universe longs for me. And for you. And we are so undeserving. Yet so blessed.

What good things to dwell on. To let my troubled mind rest on. To take a break from my struggles, fears, and pains and think on the lovely things of God. Won't you join me.

But because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a strong hand and redeemed you from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands. (Deuteronomy 7:8, 9 HCSB)

Blessings.

A place of rest

He had said to them: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen. Then the word of the Lord came to them: “Law after law, law after law, line after line, line after line, a little here, a little there,” so they go stumbling backward, to be broken, trapped, and captured. (Isaiah 28:12, 13 HCSB)

Have you ever stumbled and felt captured? Maybe by bad choices. Maybe by thoughts of failure. Maybe by just the stresses of life. Maybe by the expectations of others around you.

God gave us His word as a place of refuge. A place to seek Him and learn the freedom of the life He has given us. God wants us to grow to know and love Him more and more all the time. He never intended for the Word to become a burden for us to carry. It was a gift to release our heavy burden. A refuge to seek in the storm.
So many people believe Gods Word is simply a list of dos and don'ts. But they are believing a lie. God gives us His Word to free us from bad choices. He gives us His Word to show us how to live a successful life. A life that is surrounded with peace and joy. A life that can stand firm in the storms. A life of certainty and of trust.

Therefore the Lord God said: “Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable. (Isaiah 28:16 HCSB)

What a promise. A tested stone. It has been tested for generation after generation and found faithful.
Won't you give your heavy burdens over to The Lord today. He is faithful. He will give you peace and a sure foundation. Share your heavy burdens with Him today. He wants you to.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 HCSB).

Blessings

Orphans of this world

I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. (John 14:18 HCSB)

Sometimes I feel like an orphan in this world. I feel like I am the only one going through my particular situation. I feel like no one understands, no one knows how I feel. I can feel lonely, even when I am surrounded by people. Sometimes we can feel all alone even among those who love us and those we love.
I think everyone feels that sometimes. I see it on people's faces, I hear it in their voices. I know people who struggle with pains, hurts, confusion. Life isn't always easy. Life isn't always happy. Sometimes we just feel alone.
What a wonderful verse in John for all of us who have felt like orphans in a strange world. God has not left us here alone. He is here amongst us when we whole heartedly search for Him. Not only that but He says He has gone ahead of us to prepare for us a home with Him for eternity. A home where there will be no more sadness, or confusion, or grief. Only joy and peace. Someday He will return for us,so that we can live in this place especially prepared for those who love Him for all of eternity.
I don't know about you but that helps me get through those days that just aren't so great. I put my hope in the one who promises He will return for me. The one who promises to direct my path. The one who says He will never leave me or forsake me. The one who has filled His Word with promise after promise for me. And promises for you.
So when you need some hope. When you need to find someone who understands. Go to Gods Word. He will always understand what you are going through. He made you. He loves you. He promises to never leave you as an orphan.

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 HCSB)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 HCSB)

“Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3 HCSB)



Blessings

Allow Jesus in your boat today.

When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. (John 6:19-21 NIV)

Sometimes I feel God leaves us hidden gems amongst the familiar stories in the bible. Today this one stuck out to me. Verse 21 says ” Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading".

Jesus didn't just get in the boat. The disciples had to be willing to allow Him in the boat. I am pretty sure Jesus could have gotten in that boat by His own will. He really could have gotten to where they were headed on His own for that matter. But instead He gave the disciples a chance to invite him in, to trust that it was Him. A chance to not fear. And to trust Jesus.

How many times do I have the opportunity to trust Jesus. In Gods word it tells us over and over "do not fear", "trust me", yet we spend a great deal of our time fearing and not a lot of time trusting. What might happen if we just decided we don't really understand but that we will still be willing to trust. We might allow Jesus into our situation and He might just do a miracle. I know He will offer you the peace you crave if you just let Him in your boat.

"Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore"

Notice with Jesus in the boat it reaches its destination immediately.

I know life situations can be hard, struggles wear us down, but think about letting Jesus in your boat today. He wants to guide you, He wants to comfort you, He wants to give you peace in the midst of your storm. Allow Him in your boat, you won't be sorry you did.

Blessings

Healing the Blind Man

“This is an amazing thing,” the man told them. “You don’t know where He is from, yet He opened my eyes! We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. Throughout history no one has ever heard of someone opening the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He wouldn’t be able to do anything.” (John 9:30-33 HCSB)

I read this this morning and was awestruck at it. This man had been blind since birth and Jesus had healed him and now the Pharisee were questioning him. I am not sure what they were attempting to do to the blind man, they had questioned him before but here they are questioning him again. "Who did this to you, how did it happen ". Apparently this healing caused quite an uproar!
The Pharisee must have wanted the man to change his story. This man was not about to change his story. He knew who had healed him and that he had been healed. He knew the truth. And that truth had set him free from blindness. He wasn't going back.
How like our world today. Those of us who know Christ, who have a relationship with Him, are persuaded to question the truth we know. They ask us again and again...how can you be sure, how do you know this bible is true... Well I know it is true because I have been freed from my blindness and I am not going back. When Jesus removes our spiritual blindness it is a miracle even bigger than what the blind man received that day so long ago. We know He is real! Even if we can't convince others of that fact it doesn't change the realness of Christ.
I pray today for all those who are still spiritually blind. Open yourself to Christ and allow Him to heal you and see the blessing that is in Christ. You will never want to go back.

Read the story of the blind man in John 9.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%209&version=NIV

It will give you great courage today.

Remember,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 HCSB)

Blessings.