WALKING WITH THE WISE!

Friday, November 8, 2019

WALKING WITH THE WISE!

Prov 13:20

20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Prov 13:20

20 He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart for it.

AMPLIFIED

           Choices have consequences and that includes the choice of our companions and friends. If it is true that birds of a feather flock together, then those who travel with the ignorant shall become dull. Those who keep company with the wise, though he be the dullest among them, will become wiser and wiser over time.

           For youth to discount the wisdom gathered from the collective experiences of the aged is foolish. For the older person to assume that youth have no depth of thought or perception is also foolish. He shall mentor no one and his wisdom will be lost.  Paul advised Titus in chapter two to encourage the older and the younger to collaborate on important issues of life. Life skills training begins in the home and continues in the church.

           I have no student debt for those things I learned at my mother’s knee except a debt of gratitude. Through the years I have had many who have mentored me. I have avoided many painful situations because of them.

Isa 32:6

6 For the fool speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, leaving the craving of the hungry unsatisfied and causing the drink of the thirsty to fail.

AMPLIFIED

Dear Lord, let me not waste the pain I have received by foolish choices. Let me invest myself in the next generation. AMEN

THERE’S STILL A CHANCE!

Thursday, November 7, 2019

THERE’S STILL A CHANCE!

2 Chron 7:11-15

11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord , and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord , and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

           David had desperately desired to build a Temple for the Lord, but it was not to be. He was a man of war and God refused him. Nevertheless, his son Solomon would complete the project of his heart.

           Once the house was done, Solomon dedicated it with sacrifices and with prayer. This is the prayer that God heard and accepted saying “I have heard thy prayer.” Then God added a principle for the people to live by. There would be times of punishment for sin. God would withhold rain and send pestilence in response to sin but IF the people would acknowledge their sin, and humble themselves before the Lord, He would always respond with forgiveness and healing.

           We have sinned and our land is sick. Let us humble ourselves before the Lord and ask for healing for our nation. There is still a chance!

           One other thing encourages me this morning and that is that I have a child and grandchildren who may yet accomplish what God has withheld from me. I have spent two days with college students who have committed themselves to impact their world. Yes, our children may yet build our temples and complete our dreams. Let us build for our children a land in which those things may yet be done.

Joel 2:12-13

12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord  your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Dear Lord, help me to do what I can and leave the rest to you. Help me to accept those things I can’t change. Please bless my children and grandchildren as they seek to obey you. AMEN

ENCOURAGEMENT!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

ENCOURAGEMENT!

Heb 12:12-13

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

           The word “encouraged” or “encourage” is found in the Old Testament about nine times and each time it is translated from the word chazaq which means, among other things, “to strengthen, cure, help, repair, and to fortify.” It also means “to seize” like a parent grabbing a child who is falling.

           Oddly, the word encourage or encouragement does not occur in the New Testament at all. However, the sense of encouragement or discouragement is everywhere. In our text in Hebrews, the apostle refers to Isa 35:3-4 “Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” The words are an address to persons almost worn out with sickness and fatigue, whose hands hang down, whose knees shake, and who are totally discouraged.

           I am a people-person. People encourage me! I am often amazed and lifted up by their love, concern and genuine help especially those who are connected by a mutual faith in God. The Psalmist comments on the encouragement of Christian fellowship in the following.

Ps 133

133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

Dear Lord, let me be an encouragement to those who are worn out. AMEN