Month: April 2022

The Brightness of Day

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Life can be full of darkness.  There are many heavy burdens and challenges we face.  I like this verse in Proverbs that gives the illustration of the brightness of daylight. I enjoy the extra daylight that comes with spring.  It improves my mood. 

This verse in Proverbs tells us that living God’s way is like the brightness of day.  Our society has downplayed the joy of righteousness.  I have seen Christians fall into that trap.  I grieve when I see those who claim the name of Christ choosing to live in the darkness of the world. 

Proverbs gives good advice.  It directs us to the wisdom of God’s word.  I want the daylight of righteousness to guide me through all aspects of life.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us brightness through righteousness.  Please help me to follow Your path and live Your way.  Please help me to encourage those around me to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Hold Tight

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There are a lot of things we hold onto in life: relationships, ideals, jobs, etc.  Some of them are worth holding.  Others need to be held with somewhat open hands.  Proverbs repeats the concept of seeking wisdom.  In these verses, we also see the word insight.  When looking up the Hebrew word, I found the synonym discernment.  We need to ask God to guide our thoughts.  I like the information age, but I can drown in information overload.  I need God’s wisdom to help me discern what I need and what has no value. 

I will never be able to research everything.  However, I know the God Who knows everything.  He will give me what I need.  I just need to humble myself before Him and ask for His wisdom (James 1:5). God will give generously.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing wisdom and reminders to see it.  I ask for help as I navigate the path you have sent me on.  Please guide me with the wisdom You promise.  I praise Your name for the results.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Wisdom, Hope, and Power          

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17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might 20 that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:17-20

I was pleasantly surprised when I found a New Testament passage that spoke of wisdom and referred to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Just in time for Easter.  I am thankful for the way God brings passages from His Word for encouragement and help.  These verses were a part of the Wednesday night Bible study I attend.  I knew this would fit my blog for the day before Easter.

Here is my shortened version of Ephesians 1:17-20:
Wisdom comes from knowing God.  Those of us who have trusted in Christ have hope.  God’s power works in us – the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

Wow.

God is so good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the filled treasure chest of thought in this passage.  Thank You for providing wisdom, hope, and power for those who call on You.  Thank You for Christ dying on the cross to save those who trust in Him.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

You Get What You Give

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I think I have heard this concept more in the secular realm.  There are mixed feelings about this.  Not every workplace seems to reward good work (or punish bad work).  I think as Christians we look at the wicked and wonder why their lives look so good. 

However, this passage tells us that God has contempt to those who are contemptible.  Being out of favor with God is not a good place to be.   This passage tells us the wise will receive honor, but the fools disgrace.  I prefer the concept of honor.

When I recently read these verses, I thought of the Golden Result.  We tend to know the Golden Rule. I hadn’t heard the Golden Result until I started reading Ken Sande’s Relational Wisdom Blog (rw360.org).  I have found it an interesting concept.  I think these verses support that idea. 

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to live in humility and wisdom.  Please help me to encourage others to do the same.  I know Your way is the best way to live.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Seeing Security

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I enjoy the word pictures Proverbs gives.  We are admonished to keep the principles of wisdom in our line of sight.  This brings life and stability. 

I often think I have to provide my own security.  However, I don’t have the ability to see past the short term.  God knows how every decision I make fits with everything happening in my little piece of the world as well as the entire world.  As I submit to God, He gives what is needed for every step of my life.  He knows the final outcome of every situation.  I can trust Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing wisdom and reminding me to hold on to Your way.  Please help me to look to You in every situation.  Please guide me according to Your discretion.  Thank You for all You’ve done and will do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.