Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Tough
Love” – Thursday, 6 March 2014 – “Life’s Choices” for Friday, 7 March 2014
Scripture: Proverbs 1: 20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street.
She utters her voice in the public squares.
21 She calls at the head of noisy places.
At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you
love simplicity?
How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery,
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Turn at my reproof.
Behold,[a] I will pour out my spirit on you.
I will make known my words to you.
24 Because I have called, and you have
refused;
I have stretched out my hand, and no one has paid attention;
25 but you have ignored all my counsel,
and wanted none of my reproof;
26 I also will laugh at your disaster.
I will mock when calamity overtakes you;
27 when calamity overtakes you like a
storm,
when your disaster comes on like a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish come on you.
28 Then will they call on me, but I will
not answer.
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me;
29 because they hated knowledge,
and didn’t choose the fear of Yahweh.
30 They wanted none of my counsel.
They despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore they will eat of the fruit of
their own way,
and be filled with their own schemes.
32 For the backsliding of the simple will
kill them.
The careless ease of fools will destroy them.
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell
securely,
and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 1:23 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe,
see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Scripture: Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you
will receive my words,
and store up my commandments within you;
2 So as to turn your ear to wisdom,
and apply your heart to understanding;
3 Yes, if you call out for discernment,
and lift up your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver,
and search for her as for hidden treasures:
5 then you will understand the fear of
Yahweh,
and find the knowledge of God.[a]
6 For Yahweh gives wisdom.
Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
7 He lays up sound wisdom for the
upright.
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity;
8 that he may guard the paths of justice,
and preserve the way of his saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness
and justice,
equity and every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter into your heart.
Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you,
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 2:5 The Hebrew word rendered
“God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
“Tough Love” by Michael Paugh
Any parent knows that it is the most
difficult task they will undertake in their lifetime. We love each of our kids
dearly. We try to protect them from the evil in this world. We want the best
for them, so we try to help them make the right decisions. We pray for godly
wisdom in their lives, that they would fear the Lord. Unfortunately, they don’t
always heed our advice.
When this happens, we sometimes must
dispense this thing called “tough love”. Tough love requires separating
ourselves from the consequences of their destructive actions. At the same time,
we love them and keep the door open until they turn from this destruction.
Our Heavenly Father wants the best for
us. His desire is to bless us with wisdom to discern right from wrong. This
wisdom will guide us into a life of abundance. However, too many of us choose,
from time to time, to reject this gift and choose the wrong way. This can lead
to a life of destruction.
Godly wisdom tells us, “But whoever
listens to mewill live in safety and be at ease, without fear or harm”
(Proverbs 1:33).
Today, let’s give thanks for God’s tough
love toward us.
“Life’s Choices” by Michael Paugh
Every day people make choices. They
choose their jobs, their friends, what to eat, who they will marry, and how to
handle their finances, just to name a few. Out of the many thousands of choices
we make each day, there is one that must take priority above all others,
“accepting God’s Word, and obeying it.” The writer of Proverbs tells us that
Godly wisdom must enter into our heart and soul.
If we make a conscious effort to accept
God’s Holy word and apply it to our lives, then we will experience treasures of
His heavenly wisdom. We will have the knowledge and assurance needed to make
the right choices in life. In that knowledge there is a magnificent plan that
unfolds moment by moment.
Today, accept God’s wisdom. Understand
that it is a matter, not only of the heart, but of moral conduct. Godly wisdom
is not just an intellectual attainment. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he
will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Hymn for Today:
“Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord” by B. Mansell
Ramsey
1. Teach me Thy way, O Lord, teach me Thy
way!
Thy guiding grace afford--teach me Thy
way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith,
less by sight;
Lead me with heav’nly light, teach me Thy
way!
2. When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy
way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy
way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire
distress,
In failure or success, teach me Thy way!
3. When doubts and fears arise, teach me
Thy way!
When storms o'erspread the skies, teach
me Thy way!
Shine through the cloud and rain, thro'
sorrow, toil and pain;
Make thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy
way!
4. Long as my life shall last, teach me
Thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me Thy
way!
Until the race is run, until the
journey’s done,
Until the crown is won, teach me Thy way!
Hymn for Today:
“All The Way My Savior Leads Me” by Fanny
J. Crosby
1. All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy.
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whatever befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
2. All the way my Savior leads me;
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial,
Feeds me with the living bread;
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
3. All the way my Savior leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above;
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
Thought for Today:
“Wisdom is accessible to and needed by
all regardless of maturity level, gender, or social class” (Session Truth).
Thought for Today:
“Biblical wisdom begins and ends with God’s
ever-presence in all aspects of life” (Michael G. VanZant).
Prayer Needs:
Many people in Timor-Leste will come to
know Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy
Spirit.
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in
Timor-Leste!
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