Reflections

¹⁰“Take my instruction and not silver,
         And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
    ¹¹“For wisdom is better than jewels;
         And all desirable things cannot compare with her.
    ¹²“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
         And I find  knowledge and discretion. Proverbs 8:10-12

We should desire wisdom above all things.  It is wisdom that will keep us away from foolish things and events.  Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and silver.  As Christians we are expected to walk wisely and avoid foolishness.  If we ask God for wisdom He will give it to us.

For me personally I have made some unwise decisions in the past that have cost me even in the future.  I also have experienced great peace and avoided disaster when I made wise decisions.  There are times when a decision is not based on whether or not it is a sin, but what is the wise thing to do.  We need wisdom in all decision making, and we cannot always expect God to give us a simple “yes” or “no” answer to every situation.  There are times He is silent but He will give us wisdom when we ask, so above all things seek wisdom.

We will be looking at what the bible says about wisdom and how we can apply wisdom to everyday situations.  A lot of trouble and disasters in our lives can be avoided by simply using wisdom.  When we look closely we will be amazed at how much wisdom the bible offers when it comes to our daily decision making.

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 18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 King James Version

¹⁸Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 NASB

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Day in the United States.  Dr. King’s speech “I Have a Dream” is one of the most famous speeches in the history of the United States.  What makes it such an inspiring speech is the dream that Dr. King lays out for future generations.  His dreams were big and inspired many African-Americans even today.  We need dreams.  We need to have vision, without vision the people perish.

Unfortunately, today in the church we have focused so much on the end times and talk about the world coming to the end.  We point to things like natural disasters and other troubles of the world.  We speak of judgment, destruction and God’s wrath.  It doesn’t faze us when horrific things happen because we are expecting the worse because the end is near.

Jesus told the apostles that only the Father knows the day and time of Jesus’ return.  We should expect Jesus’ return but we are not to stop having a vision for our future.  We cannot resign ourselves to this idea that the world is going to end any day so we shouldn’t hope and dream.  Even at the end of the book of Revelation we are given a vision of the new heaven and new earth.

It is our responsibility to continue dreaming and creating vision for our lives and future generations.  We need to speak the future just like Dr. King spoke.  We need to see a better future for generations to come and speak into the next generation.  We should never assume a generation will be the last generation but we should always look forward giving vision and hope to the future.  Our children need it because without vision they will no longer restrain themselves and destruction will come upon them.

What is your vision?  Are you speaking into the future of today’s youth for a better tomorrow?  God made us to be dreamers.  He created us to be visionaries.  So let our dreams and visions live on as we wait for Jesus’ return.

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³¹“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ ³²“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  33″But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Matthew 6:31-33

God knows what we need.   God also knows the desires of our heart.  There are so many things that we strive for from God.  But God says that if we first seek after His kingdom and righteousness, He will take care of everything else.  Basically, if we are doing the work of God we need not worry about how we are going to take care of ourselves nor have our dreams and desires fulfilled.  When we put God above everything God will work all things out for our good and according to His will and purpose.  There is not a need or a desire that God will ignore.  He will supply everything to us.

So if there is something you need put God first.  If it is something you want put God first.  When God is first everything in your life will line up in place.  You will never lack.

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⁴Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins,
 They will raise up the former devastations;
 And they will repair the ruined cities,
 The desolations of many generations.
⁵Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks,
 And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
⁶But you will be called the priests of the LORD;
 You will be spoken of as ministers of our God
 You will eat the wealth of nations,
 And in their riches you will boast.
 ⁷Instead of your shame you will have a double portion,
 And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion
Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land,
Everlasting joy will be theirs.  Isaiah 61:4-7

This week the nation of Haiti was devastated by a huge earthquake.  Buildings, homes, hospitals, schools, stores, etc. collapsed and hundreds of thousands of people are injured or feared dead.  The people of Haiti are suffering and in desperate need of help.  The international community has responded and many people are coming to help in the search and rescue efforts and in treating the injured.  Also, people are donating cash and sending supplies.  Sadly, many are missing and fear dead.  The death toll continues to rise each day.

Even though many are still waiting for aid, the response has been enormous.  So many people want to help the nation of Haiti.  There is so much compassion and love by others.  Now imagine how God feels.  God created every person living in Haiti.  He knows them by name and even the number of hairs on their head.  God knows and feels their pain and He has not forgotten or forsaken them.

We cannot make the mistake of judging Haiti or proclaiming they had this coming.  It dishonors God because God has not judged Haiti.  Instead as Christians we need to offer people hope.  We can stand in the gap and proclaim what the bible says.  We can make the above confession about Haiti – we can decree that Haiti will be a great nation and one that fears and serves God.  It is what God desires and the gates of hell will not prevail.

Saints let us continue to pray for Haiti and proclaim the favor of the Lord upon the nation.

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²⁰“So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  ²¹“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’   ²²“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;  ²³and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. Luke 15:20-24

How do we see the lost?  Do we judge them and write them off as being evil and wicked?  Do we pass judgment and condemn them?  God does not.  God patiently waits for the lost to come home.  As we see in the story of the prodigal son, even though the son had left his father and spent all of his inheritance, the son returned home to find a father who had been longing to see his return.

God is the same way.  He is constantly looking for His creation to turn from their sin and turn to Him.  He is not yet ready to pass judgment and takes no delight in seeing anyone perish.  When a soul does come home to Him even the angels rejoice.

As Christians we must have the heart and compassion for the lost.  We should not judge the lost or count them out.  We should let them know that there is a loving heavenly Father waiting for them to come home.  Like the story of the prodigal son, God is willing to run out to where they are and welcome them home.  Remember we were once lost in our sin but God saved us and welcomed us home.  So let us beckon others to repent and return home.  Oh how God loves us so.

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1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ²through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.  ³And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

Whenever a major catastrophe happens, there are some religious leaders who feel the need to explain God’s position.  As if God needs us to defend Him.  Usually the explanation for a tragedy is God’s wrath or judgment.  They argue that God is so upset with our continued sin that He allows for earthquakes, hurricanes, sickness, disease, terrorist acts, etc.  This may be true under the old covenant but let us remember we are under a New Covenant brought through Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us that we are now justified through Jesus Christ, and as a result we have peace with God.  God does hate sin and sin does have consequences but we have to be careful not to continue teaching God’s judgment when Jesus paid it all.  God is not looking to strike us all down but He has given us hope through Jesus and He has given us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit’s job is to convict the world of sin but not destroy people in the process.  What God desires most is that all men come to repentance and the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we as Christians must continue to teach the good news of the gospel and the reconciliation with God the Father through His Son Jesus.

We should never assume God’s position in tragic events. Often times in the bible God does not explain why something has occurred.  Instead we know that God is in control and He will work things out according to His will and purpose.  We can be confident that He loves us so much that all things will work out for good.  So let us offer hope when traged strikes, as Paul says let us continue to exult even in tribulations.  God is worthy of our praise.

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² “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!”

⁸ “Would you discredit my justice?  Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

 9 Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?

 10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.”  Job 40:2, 8-10 NIV

Why God!? Is the cry heard when a tragedy strikes.  Many of us try to make sense of tragic situations especially when good people are involved.  We see evil and wicked people go on about their lives living the “good” life and we see good people suffer.  So we ask God why?  Why do bad things happen to good people?  If we are not careful we end up accusing God of not caring or being aloof in the situation.

But God is still God.  He is sovereign.  The rain falls on the just and unjust.  Nothing takes God by surprise.  But often God never answers the question why?  Even in the story of Job God never answers Job’s question, instead God questions Job and asks him “would you discredit my justice?  Would you condemn me to justify yourself?”  We do this when we question why God allows wicked people to go on with their lives and seems to sit back and watch as good people suffer. 

God is just.  God will repay and will restore all that is lost.  When it comes to the just God promises that all things will work out for their good.  So even though we may be in a situation where we ask God why?  Let’s remember He is in control.  We may not know the answer but we can be confident in this – That God loves us and He is a just God.

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⁸But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  ⁹Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  Romans 5: 8-9

Oh how God loves us so – that even when we were still sinners He sent Jesus to die for us.  Now that we are saved and are a new creation how much more we are spared from God’s wrath.  We should not imagine an angry God that is ready to pass judgment on us at any moment.  But we are to know the Father that loves us so that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins.

God takes no pleasure in exercising wrath.  Instead God abounds with mercy, grace, and love.  We are His children and He really does love us more than our minds can comprehend.  So let’s bask in the joy and love of God.

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¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love,
       he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

How does God see us?  Many Christians have been exposed to denominations that teach various views of God and how God sees us.  We also tend to perceive God the way we perceive our earthly fathers.  Whatever view we have of God affects our faith.  Also, how we perceive that God views us also will impact our faith. 

Too often we imagine that God is not happy.  We think that He is tired of seeing all the wickedness and mess in our lives.  Some of us have a view that God is ready to strike us at any moment.  This is not what the scriptures teach us.  This is a lie from Satan.

God takes great delight in His children.  The scripture above says that He rejoices over us with singing.  Imagine God singing over you.  How happy God must be to actually rejoice over us with singing.

It’s important that we understand God’s view of us.  We must seek to understand God’s love and mercy toward us.  God is not angry.  He is not sitting on His throne thinking how He is going to judge us.  Instead, God is mighty to save.  He desires that all will come to repentance and be saved.   So let’s explore the love that God has so lavished upon us.

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²⁶“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:  ²⁷the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; ²⁸and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known. Deuteronomy 11:26-28

Obedience results in blessings and disobedience opens the door to trouble.  When we obey God we have His blessings.  God constantly warns us to follow after Him and to forsake other gods.  He tells us to love Him with all our heart and to obey His commands.

God desires that we prosper but we can only prosper by following God’s commands.  This is not an impossible task because God has given us His Spirit.  We are to live according to the Spirit and not according to our flesh.

When God asks us to do something we should be willing to do it and obey.  Then we will experience the full blessing of the Lord.  We always have a choice to either obey or disobey, to listen or to harden our hearts.  God is telling us to choose obedience.

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