"Instructions" by Karolyn Parsons - Proverbs 1:1 The proverbs of Shlomo the son of David,
king of Isra’el,
2 are for learning about wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words expressing deep insight;
3 for gaining an intelligently disciplined life,
doing what is right, just and fair;
4 for endowing with caution those who don’t think
and the young person with knowledge and discretion.
5 Someone who is already wise
will hear and learn still more;
someone who already understands
will gain the ability to counsel well;
6 he will understand proverbs, obscure expressions,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of Adonai is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
8 My son, heed the discipline of your father,
and do not abandon the teaching of your mother;
9 they will be a garland to grace your head,
a medal of honor for your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you,
don’t go along with them.
***Chances are that everyone knows at least one person who refuses to stop and ask for directions. It is also likely that we’d know someone who does not follow the manufacturer’s instructions when “some assembly is required,” or the cooking instructions on the back of a box when making dinner. While intellectually we know that using the instructions should create a desired outcome, that does not mean that we automatically choose to follow them.
Sometimes we are tempted to think we are capable of figuring things out on our own, or maybe we are just rebellious and do not want someone telling us what to do. Things might turn out okay, or they could be a total disaster.
When it comes to faith, we have two choices: fear the Lord and learn from Him, or reject His wisdom and discipline. When we fear the Lord, we open ourselves to His instruction and wisdom. We allow ourselves to be taught and shaped by the Lord in our daily lives. When we reject Him, we close our hearts to what the Lord would try to teach us and we become fools taking our chances with the outcome of our decisions.
Hymn for Today "Where He Leads Me" by E.W. Blandy.
1. I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
"Take thy cross and follow, follow me."
Refrain: Where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow;
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
2. I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him through the garden,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
Refrain: Where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow;
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
3. I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him through the judgment,
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
Refrain: Where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow;
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
4. He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
and go with me, with me all the way.
Refrain: Where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow,
where he leads me I will follow;
I'll go with him, with him all the way.
Please pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Timor-Leste.
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Reflecting God - "Spiritual Clothing" by Karolyn Parsons
for Wednesday, 7 March 2018 – Embrace Holy Living - The Global Church of the Nazarene's The Foundry Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Proverbs 31:22-31
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Reflecting God - "Spiritual Clothing" by Karolyn Parsons
for Wednesday, 7 March 2018 – Embrace Holy Living - The Global Church of the Nazarene's The Foundry Publishing in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Proverbs 31:22-31"Spiritual Clothing" by Karolyn Parsons - Proverbs 31:22 She makes her own quilts;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
נ 23 Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
ס 24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchants with sashes.
ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26 When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her children arise; they make her happy;
her husband too, as he praises her:
ר 29 “Many women have done wonderful things,
but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her a share in what she produces;
let her works speak her praises at the city gates.
***Let’s be honest: the clothes we wear get noticed. Whether we intend to or not, the way we dress communicates certain images and assumptions to those looking at us. The fashion industry makes fortunes off of people desiring those images and “looks” that can communicate their value, social class, or projected image. But what is worn cannot always be an accurate assessment of the person’s quality and integrity on the inside. What values, convictions, and character exist beyond the outward appearance? Proverbs gives us a glance at what it means to be a person of dignity and wisdom.
The image and dress mentioned in Proverbs 31 is not about the kind of outward appearances and projected image that we attempt to have people believe about us. Rather but they are qualities that run deep in our character and overflow into the fabric of our daily lives. Those qualities are a reflection of God that runs so clearly through us that others cannot help but notice. Respect, strength, dignity, wisdom, laughter, creativity, and productivity are all part of the godly qualities that should be visible in each of our lives no matter what clothing we wear.
Hymn for Today: "I Want to Be Like Jesus" by Thomas O. Chisholm
1. I have one deep supreme desire:
that I may be like Jesus.
To this I fervently aspire,
that I may be like Jesus.
I want my heart His throne to be,
so that a watchful world may see
His likeness shining forth in me.
I want to be like Jesus.
2. He spent His life in doing good;
I want to be like Jesus.
Always in humble service stood;
I want to be like Jesus.
He sympathised with hearts distressed;
He spoke the words that cheered and blessed;
He welcomed sinners to his breast.
I want to be like Jesus.
3. A holy blameless life He led;
I want to be like Jesus.
The Father's will, His drink and bread;
I want to be like Jesus.
And when at last he came to die,
"Father, forgive them," He could cry
for those who taunt and crucify.
I want to be like Jesus.
4.O perfect life of Christ, my Lord!
I want to be like Jesus.
My recompense and my reward:
that I may be like Jesus.
His Spirit fill my hung'ring soul,
His power all my life control;
My deepest pray'r, my highest goal:
that I may be like Jesus.
Thought for Today: Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him.(James 1:5).
Please pray: That many people in Timor-Leste will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
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