Proverbs 1:20, 31 – “Wisdom calls out in the street, she shouts loudly in the plazas…³¹ Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, the thought of wisdom, its purpose, and power filled my consciousness.   Proverbs 1 begins with the declaration of the power and purpose of wisdom.   To “know” is to become one with.   We are to become one with wisdom, then, just as we become one with Jesus. It is transformational!

Proverbs 1:24-31 reveals the result of pursuing fleshly purposes and desires, thereby rejecting God’s purposes and correction.  No answer to prayer and v 31, “Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own ways and be filled with their own devices.”

Proverbs 3 reminds us of the benefits of keeping God’s commandments in our hearts (not just acts).   We will enjoy peace, mercy, truth, favor, grace, and understanding, as well as length of days.   In v 35, we discover that one of the fruits of pursuing God’s wisdom is perpetual calmness. “You shall not fear sudden tumult, neither the violence of the wicked, when it comes.”

The beginning or initiation, or launching of wisdom, is having reverential awe of God. You can’t be in awe of what you do not believe in.  The fool (unwise) says there is no God.   Wisdom calls for total surrender to Him.  How much? Heart, mind, emotions, and strength – TOTAL!

Wisdom guards against deception.   Wisdom corrects and disciplines. Wisdom guides and enlightens.   Wisdom brings all of God to us and reveals how we get all of God in us.  Wisdom pursues the pathway of peace.  Wisdom trusts God.

Wisdom understands that the purpose of God is to bring whosoever will into the kingdom.  Wisdom understands that the directive of Mark 16:15-20 is a life pattern that costs everything but provides everything.  There is no ambiguity in it. The “will be” and “will follow” do not include “maybe.”   Wisdom reveals that God is, and in that “isness,” we hope!

May the wisdom of God guard and guide us daily!

Mark 7:21-23 – “ For from within, out of the human heart, come evil ideas, sexual immorality, theft, murder, ²² adultery, greed, evil, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, and folly. ²³ All these evils come from within and defile a person.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the importance of the heart filled my consciousness.  The heart I am referring to is not the blood-pumping organ, but the mainspring of the being.  That’s the key.  The content of the heart produces the fruit that is visible. The content of the heart is revealed in our words, thoughts, pursuits, passions, and actions. (Psalm 141:3-4).

Jesus addressed the heart in Mark 7:21-23.  The content of the heart defines the character of a person’s life!  What is our call?  We are to Love God with all our heart and soul and our neighbor as ourselves.  We are to be witnesses for Jesus through demonstrated godliness.    We are to meditate on the LORD and to testify of Him.

My assignment and yours is not to be the corrector of everyone, nor the critic finding everyone’s flaws.  We all have them.  Our commission is to “lift up Jesus,” proclaiming the“Good News.”

If our hearts are filled with religious pride and we look for everyone’s flaws, it becomes hard to love as Jesus loved. His ultimate purpose was reconciliation and restoration, not exposure and rejection.  If our heart overflows with love, we will always seek to restore.   If our heart is filled with religious pride, we will seek to expose thinking it somehow elevates us and honors God.   Jesus died for them, too!

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.   Remember Galatians 6:1-2 – “My brethren, if anyone be found at fault, you who are spiritual, restore him in a spirit of meekness; and be careful lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

What’s in our hearts?    Out of the overflow of the heart come words, attitudes, and actions. Our hearts are easily read by our words, attitudes, and actions.

May our hearts overflow with Love for God and our Fellow man!

Psalm 133:1-3 – “Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers truly live in unity.  ² It is like fine oil poured on the head, which flows down the beard—Aaron’s beard, and then flows down his garments.  ³ It is like the dew of Hermon, which flows down upon the hills of Zion.  Indeed, that is where the Lord has decreed a blessing will be available—eternal life.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was awed by the awesomeness of God.   As I read in the Psalms, several things were linked in my mind.   Psalm 127 reveals the futility of life without God.   Psalms 128 reveals that the fear of God brings blessing.   Psalm 133 testifies to the power of unity.

Psalm 139:1-7 puts the Omniscience and Omnipresence of God on display. He sees all, knows all, and is everywhere.   In vv. 15-16, we realize that He planned our path before we were conceived.  That path will be fulfilled unless we rebel.  This God is trustworthy!  This God is the God of the New Covenant.

In Mark 4, we have the parable of the Sower.  The Roadside Seed is a picture of superficial hearing of the Gospel.  It is theoretical or mythological. It is just another story and has no impact.   

The Rocky Soil Seed is a picture of an emotional response.  Even acting emotionally out of being convicted of sin.  But emotions do not maintain their intensity, so when life happens, and emotions fade, so does faith and commitment.

The Thistle Soil is those who maintain a double mind and a divided heart. The tug of things, popularity, position, and possession, tarnish the experience.  The mind becomes corrupted and draws back.   It has a form but no spirit or power.

The good Soil is total surrender, those who die to self and live to Him.  We err when we fail to grasp that maturity and productivity are a process.  Mark 4:28 – First, the sprout, then the ear, then the mature fruit.   The key is time! The key is persistence! The key is patience!

Babies don’t care for themselves immediately.  Life has many negative moments, but IF we are good soil seed and yield to God fully, we will become that mature head in the ear He desires.  We need to touch Jesus, not just be touched by Jesus.

Touching Jesus requires effort on our part. Being touched by Him, none! For us to become what He created us to be, we have to TOUCH Him!   Will we be His Fully Mature Fruit that fulfills our preconceived destiny? It depends on us.

LORD, help us strive for Unity in the Body of Christ and die to self.

Psalm 115:13 – “The LORD will bless them that worship Him, both small and great.”

The constants of life give us the strength to endure the variables. Two constants are – God loves each of you, and so do I.   As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, simple reminders encouraged me.

Psalm 115:13 provides a simple declaration that if we worship God, seeking Him above everything, He Will Bless us.  Imagine that the creator God cares for the famous and the obscure, the powerful and prominent people, and the poor and insignificant. No one is omitted.

Psalm 118:6-9 reminds us that God’s presence banishes and defeats fear.  In verse 8, we are informed that our trust is to be in God, not ability or government.  Because God is our source, the giver and sustainer of life, we can declare the declaration of verse 17 in humility and confidence. “I will not die, but live and declare the works of the LORD.”

In Psalm 119:105-108, we have the simple reminder that God’s Word is a light to guide us.   No wonder the Psalmist said, “I love Your Word.”   In v 160, we discover that God’s Word sits on the foundation of Truth, which, according to the Gospels, the Word is Truth.

Psalm 125:1-2 reminds us that trust is the key to victory.  If we trust God, no shaking can shake us, and God’s presence is like being nestled in a secure valley surrounded by majestic mountains.  Trusting God brings His presence, and in His presence, there is peace, preservation, protection, provision, and power.

In Matthew 26:37, there is a declaration difficult for religion.  Jesus was Depressed.   Remember, He was tempted in all things just like us.   Depression is a self-focus.  He rejected in favor of God’s purpose, but in His humanity, He experienced it.  He fought it with a focus on the Father and purpose.

Matthew 27:4, Judas had remorse over his betrayal of Jesus.  He took the blood money back to the Sanhedrin, and they said something we need to be reminded of – Sin is a personal problem.   That’s why Jesus died, to take the personal problem of sin and make it His, setting us free.

Simple truths provide reminders to motivate us to keep going with confidence in Him.  Today would be a great day to renew our commitment and surrender to Him.  Make Psalm 119:9-16 your daily routine.  Become saturated with the Word and meditate on it continuously.  It will guide us to the right and His light. Be Free!

Lord, help us to realize the depth of Your love and know that no one is omitted.

Psalm 106:23 – “He threatened to destroy them, but Moses, his chosen one, interceded with him and turned back his destructive anger.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God, I was moved to consider Psalm 103.   It begins with multiple reasons we praise God.   Motivators for developing a deeper relationship with Him.  There are benefits in serving God.  One of the chief reasons is forgiveness.  Then, redemption and restoration. The incredible lovingkindness of God leaves us in awe. Tragically, some develop an entitlement mentality and take God’s mercy for granted.

In that relationship, we discover the power of intercessory prayer.  In Psalm 106:23, Moses serves as our example.  Sodom could have been spared for ten!   Matthew 22:35-40 reveals the importance of the heart.  If God has our whole being (body, soul, mind, and spirit), we discover the doorway to Him.

Matthew 23:28 reminds us that the heart is the key.   When we focus on God being our everything, we see the three revelations of Matthew 25:

1. The ten virgins. All ten were virgins. All ten slept or lost focus because of the delay. Five kept the inner fire burning and responded to the midnight cry.

2. The talents and results. We are only responsible for what we have been given. Fulfilling our assignment is the key. Fear of failure or making a mistake causes paralysis of analysis and results in inaction. The focus is on self, not the kingdom or purpose.

3. True Body Ministry is shown in vv 35-40. If God has our whole being, serving others is natural. Serving others is True Body Ministry. We are Christ’s Body; therefore, if we serve others, we are serving Him.

My prayer is, LORD, help me see You, and be You to others.   No, I’m not Jesus, but if Jesus is in me, living through me, I become the Jesus people can see. That leads them to Him.

Father, help us to become so adept at Praising You that it is second nature.