Godly Wisdom

How well do you listen? How well do you see? Are you an observant person? Are you attentive to the tone a person uses? Do you pay attention to their body language? Do you understand what is being communicated?

There are times we are very attentive. And there are times when we have checked out of the conversation. We may listen attentively for a portion of the conversation but become bored with it and start daydreaming or thinking of something we deem more important.

We may have taken a class or lesson to learn how to be a better listener. We may know how to be a good listener. But that isn’t always the issue, is it? The issue is our desire to listen. We may have no interest in what the person is saying. The topic doesn’t interest us. Or the person doesn’t interest us. Or we believe there is something more important we should be doing.

It all comes down to priority. The same is true when we listen for God. If we do not make it a priority, we will not hear Him. If it is not a priority to understand His Word when we read it, we will skim over it but not comprehend it. God desires us to listen closely to His guidance. He is providing us life-giving knowledge and wisdom.

Being attentive to God’s guidance and direction illuminates our understanding. Making listening to God a priority increases our understanding. As we understand God’s Word more, we increase in wisdom. Increasing in Godly wisdom improves our lives.

I pray we all choose to listen for God’s guidance. I pray we make listening to or reading God’s Word a priority. I pray each of us will seek to increase our understanding and Godly wisdom. Listen attentively. Seek understanding. Make Godly wisdom a priority. Listen for His guidance.

Isaiah 51:4-5

“Listen to me, my people;

hear me, my nation:

Instruction will go out from me;

my justice will become a light to the nations.

My righteousness draws near speedily,

my salvation is on the way,

and my arm will bring justice to the nations.

The islands will look to me

and wait in hope for my arm.

A New Thing

Are you looking for something new in your life? Would you like for there to be a change in a positive direction? Have you made attempts only to run into roadblocks? Will you open your eyes to see what God is doing in your life?

We often yearn to make changes in our lives. We long to improve our lives. However, far too often we take action to do so based on our shortsighted human perspective. Our approach to satisfy the immediate or near term wants.

God also has a plan for the short-term, but His short-term plan prepares for and leads into the long-term plan. His plan takes steps today that sets us up for tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, and next decade. He has a plan to do something in our lives if we will only follow His plan.

We may wonder how God knows what steps to take. So quickly do we forget. God has seen all of history already. He has seen all possible choices we may choose. We pray for God to change our situations, while He sets situations to cause us to follow Him. Our last option to choose Him comes on our deathbed.

God is doing a new thing every day of our lives. We merely need to be observant, see what He is doing. He may not be doing what we desire. But He is doing what He sees needs to be done to draw us to Him. After all, He desires all of mankind to come to Him, to save everyone. He is willing to do whatever it takes, short of forcing us. He sent His Son to die for us to make it possible for each of us to be saved.

I pray we all see what God is doing in our lives. I pray we see beyond our immediate wants. I pray each one of us choose to follow God’s plan for us, starting by asking Him to help us see it. Seek what God seeks for you. See what God is doing. See how He is preparing you. Reflect on what He has done. Choose to follow His plan for you.

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.”

Being A Good Samaritan

What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Does it mean to help the person who lives next door with their yard? Does it mean to give a child a ride to a school function?

It can mean those. But what is the example Jesus gave us? He used the example of someone in dire need. Someone who needed medical attention or die. He used people who were mortal enemies of one another.

There is nothing wrong with assisting those who live in our neighborhood. There is nothing wrong with giving a child a ride. But that is not all Jesus calls us to do. He calls us to go beyond the comfortable. He calls us to help the homeless, destitute, those with deep needs.

We have been blessed with homes, vehicles, jobs or retirement, family, friends, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus expects more from us. After all, He said, “everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48).

Yes, much is expected from us. We have been blessed richly. The neighbor who needs our help may reside in our city, town, or county. Our neighbor needs compassion, love, mercy, and someone to walk along with them.

Jesus has given us an example of being a good neighbor. Will we follow His teaching, His example? Or will we continue to remain in our comfort zone?

I pray we all decide to follow Jesus’ example. I pray we get out of our comfort zones. I pray each one of us will choose to be a good neighbor to whomever we find in need. Be compassionate. Be loving. Be merciful. Be willing to walk with others. Follow Jesus’ teaching. Be a good neighbor.

Luke 10:36-37 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Beat the Heat

What are we doing to stay out of the hottest place ever recorded for eternity? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you allowing God to transform you into the person He created you to be? Or, are you holding on to your selfish, self-center, hateful, grudge holding, angry, antagonizing, finger pointing, gossiping, on and on behavior that is in direct opposition to God?

It’s hot outside! I’ve heard that often over last few days. I’ve also heard, “I don’t like being hot.” Oh, really … ?! Are you sure about that? What are you doing to not be hot? As Americans, we all want our air conditioning running at peak performance in our homes. We want the restaurants and stores we frequent to have good air conditioning. We certainly seem to be doing a lot in this world to stay cool.

We might want to consider showing one another a little grace. After all, not one of us is perfect. We all need grace. A person who shows grace, mercy, forgiveness, love, acceptance, peace, joy, contentment, and share Jesus with those around us. Yup, me too. We all need to continue to let go and allow God to transform us. We all need to stop holding on to our selfishness. We all need to very carefully read Jesus’ words in today’s Scripture.

I pray we all let go of ourselves and allow God’s Spirit to fill us. I pray we allow God to change us into the person He created us to be. I pray each one of us will demonstrate grace toward one another. Beat the heat. Correct your behavior. Correct your attitude. Allow God to make the changes. Take on the attitude of Christ.

Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Fulfill the Law

Are you a letter of the law kind of person? Do you believe following the rules to the “T”? Do you get angry when others do not follow the rules? Do you make up your own rules? Do you restrict the law more than it was originally intended?

We all like to follow the rules or laws to one degree or another. Some of us are more attentive to them, while others are more willing to bend or stretch them. But following the law can be a bit confusing or difficult due to the complexity of the many laws.

But Paul tells the church in Rome there is an easy way to not only obey but fulfill the law. It is simple, yet also difficult. We are to love our neighbor. That is where the rub comes in. Our neighbor isn’t just the person who lives next door but every person we encounter.

Loving people we disagree with is hard. Loving people who perform horrible acts is hard. Loving people from another culture is hard. Loving people who fight against us is hard. Sometimes, loving family members is hard. So, how can we love our neighbor?

We can only love as God loves by allowing Him to take control of our lives. We must give up our preferences and desires. We must ask Him to open our eyes to see everyone as He sees them. When we see the other person as God sees them, our perspective changes dramatically.

Loving our neighbor does not mean we must agree with them nor that we must approve of their actions or attitudes. We can love someone without being in full agreement. We can love someone without approving their behavior. But we can only love them as God loves them when we allow God to take control of our lives.

I pray we all choose to fulfill the law. I pray we choose to allow God to take control of our lives. I pray each one of us will choose to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Fulfill the law. Love your neighbor. Allow God to take control. See others as God sees them. Love as God loves.

Romans 13:8-10 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Offspring or Imitator

Do you want to be a child of God? Do you want to be like Him? Are you willing to take on the tough task of changing your attitude and behavior? Are you willing to love everyone as He loves them, including your enemies?

If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are a child of God. But there is a difference between the offspring of someone and being an imitator of them. As offspring, we inherit. As an imitator, it becomes plain to everyone we meet who we belong to.

We understand this concept. There are people we know who are children of their parents, but they are so different that they could be the offspring of anyone. On the other hand, we know some who it is blatantly obvious who their parents are. It is almost as if they were a carbon copy. That is what Jesus is talking about in today’s passage.

To be a child of God, an imitator of His, we are to love our enemies not just our family, friends, or neighbor. Not an easy thing to do. To love someone who persecutes us goes against our human nature. To treat someone with love who mistreats us is extremely challenging.

But notice what Jesus says about God. He causes the sun to rise on the good and the evil. We may say, “Duh, how could the sun not rise on both?” But think deeper. Jesus is saying God causes good to happen to both and He tests both with dreary days. Why? God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

God desires us to be like Him. Jesus set the perfect example for us. We can read of His example to learn how to be like God, to be an imitator of God. As we seek to be like Him, He will give us the strength, wisdom, and discernment to continue. Then we will live the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

I pray we all desire to be imitators of Jesus. I pray we seek to show love to everyone, including our enemies. I pray each one of us asks God to guide us and give us all we need to follow Him. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Love your family. Love your friends. Love everyone. Be an imitator of God.

Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Light of Love

Do you prefer the light or the dark? Do you want to be in the right or wrong? Do you desire love or hate? Do you adhere to your desires or chase after someone else’s? Do you adhere to your advice to others or do the very thing you complain about?

I dare say most of us prefer to be in the light, we want to be right, and we desire love. Yet, I also see plenty of evidence of our chasing after other people’s desires and failing to adhere to our own advice. We do the very thing we complain about someone else doing. The Apostle Paul would call all of us hypocrites.

Read today’s passage. See the Apostle John state that hating a brother or sister in Christ causes us to live in darkness. In other words, we have fallen prey to Satan’s schemes. We have allowed the world to trick us into thinking it is alright to hate one another, even if over the simplest disagreement.

John says to live in the light we must love our brothers and sisters. Notice he did not put any qualifications on loving them. In other words, he didn’t say, “love them as long as you agree with them.” Or, “love them as long as they do what you prefer.” Or, “love them when they are behaving properly.”

We are not merely called to love one another, we are commanded to love one another by Jesus (Matthew 19:19, 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27). In fact, Jesus also states that if we love only those who love us, there is no reward for us (Matthew 5:46). Though that may sound harsh, it is nothing Jesus did not do Himself. He has set the bar high with His own love.

I pray we all love our brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray we choose to follow Jesus’ example. I pray each one of us choose to live up to expectations and follow Jesus’ command to love. Love one another. Love as Jesus loves. Follow His example. Love the unlovable. Show God’s love to everyone.

1 John 2:9-11 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

A Just God

Do you desire justice? Are you looking for judgment for those who commit crimes? Do you long for crimes to be punished? Do you wish fairness would find its way into our culture? Are you sure you want sins to be punished as they deserve?

We often talk of justice. We scream for justice when a horrible crime is committed. We talk of people receiving closure following a horrendous crime. We wish the crime could be undone, reversed. We cry out for punishment of the wrongdoers.

Far too often, we want immediate retribution. We think we know what happened. We may even convict the accused before a trial has been conducted. This has been the cause of many people to be wrongly convicted.

On the other hand, when we are put on trial, we seek mercy and lenience. It is only when we stand alone at the gallows that we ask for a deep investigation and long to provide our side of the story. It is when we come to grips with our own offenses that we can truly understand the justness of God.

Each of our sins requires punishment. Our disobedience requires payment. In the Old Testament, God required the Jews to bring two goats for the atonement of sin. One was sacrificed. The priests laid their hands on the other to signify putting the nations sins on it and it was turned loose in the wilderness to carry Israel’s sins away. Hence the term scapegoat.

God atoned for our sins in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and in His resurrection. Christ has carried our sins away, much in the same way the scapegoat did for Israel. God is just. Sin is and has been punished. It is because of His justness that we have been justified in our faith in Jesus.

I pray we all see that God is just. I pray we understand that God’s justness is complete, whole. I pray each one of us put our faith in Jesus and accept God’s justification. God is just. Sin deserves punishment. Your sin has been atoned. Put your faith in Jesus. Accept God’s justification.

Romans 3:25-26 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Eagerly Serving

How willing are you to help someone in need? Are you willing to step in and lend a helping hand when there is a task to be done? Will you help those suffering from a disaster? Are you willing to mentor someone facing challenges?

Most of us are willing to help family and friends. We help them move their household from one location to another. We will provide financial assistance when they are in need. We encourage them when they struggle. We lend a helping hand when there is a need.

But what are we willing to do for people we don’t know? Our typical response is to donate money or items to disaster relief organizations. We contribute money to various assistance organizations. We rely on government assistance offices. We may even give blood. But read today’s passage. What service are we performing?

There is nothing wrong with contributing financially. For some of us, that may be all we are capable of doing. But for many of us, we contribute financially because we don’t want to mingle with people we don’t know and may even look down upon. We don’t want to get our hands dirty. We say we don’t have time. And…we lie to ourselves.

We make time for our priorities. Our priorities should be the same as the Lord’s. His priority is that we love one another, which includes serving one another. Not just family and friends, but all God’s children. Opportunities to help those in need come in many forms. There is a plethora of needs.

When the love of God invades and inhabits our hearts, we are eager to help others. We are to be especially eager to help those in the family of God but be also eager to help everyone. When we are serving one another, we are following Jesus’ example.

I pray we all are eager to help those in need. I pray we are willing to get our hands dirty. I pray each one of us will make it a priority and make time to be in service to others. Be eager to help. Make helping a priority. Take time to help. Look for opportunities to help. Follow Jesus’ example of serving.

2 Corinthians 9:1-2 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the Lord’s people. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

Sacred Communion

Have you wondered about the mystery of communion? How is it that Christ joins us at the table? It doesn’t make sense to our human understanding.

We can only understand it as we come to fully know deep within our hearts that Jesus lives today. We may call it faith. But it also comes from experiencing the presence of God in our lives.

Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist when He ate His last supper with His apostles. He tells us the bread is His body and the wine is His blood. Let’s not be confused. Jesus did not mean the bread nor wine were transformed into His literal body or blood. After all, He had not yet been crucified.

However, the bread and wine He used were part of the daily sustenance of the Jews. They understood the meaning of what Jesus was saying. Our bodies require solid food and drink to be sustained in this life. Jesus is our sustenance for eternal life.

Through His willing sacrifice, He has provided us with the hope of eternal life with Him. Not just any hope, but a hope that is confident in it being fulfilled. A hope in His promises.

When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, Jesus is our host. He is present with us though unseen. His Spirit fills us during this time of divine interaction. The reasons He can be with us as our host is He is alive today!

I pray we all view communing with Jesus around the table as an exercise of our hope in Him. I pray we view the Lord’s Supper as an opportunity to participate in a divine meal with our Lord. I pray each one of us desires to receive the Lord’s Supper as often as we can. Desire communing with the Lord. Obey Jesus’ command. Jesus is alive. He is our host. Accept His divine gift.

Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”