Category Archives: Wise

Faith / Trusting God, Purposeful / Intentional, Seeking God, Wise

You Will Not Find True Purpose and Fulfillment in Your Own Works

Ecclesiastes is another book of wisdom, written by Solomon. He records here his thoughts about the value of many things he has tried in his life and ultimately has an important conclusion for us all to recognize and apply in our lives. Here is a very wise man, given wisdom above other men by the Father. He has lived with great wealth and power. He has been able to do many things seeking fulfillment. His conclusion?

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

13The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

This conclusion by itself is a powerful message. I share it as we begin Ecclesiastes for context. We will revisit it again as we go through the scripture, but take a few moments to contemplate it. Then remember it as you read through Ecclesiastes and see all the pursuits which Solomon tried to find fulfillment… and came up empty. Most of us today are still trying to find fulfillment without the Father and we too will come up empty if we continue on that path.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

The Futility of All Endeavor

      1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

      2“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

      3What advantage does man have in all his work
Which he does under the sun?

      4A generation goes and a generation comes,
But the earth remains forever.

      5Also, the sun rises and the sun sets;
And hastening to its place it rises there again.

      6Blowing toward the south,
Then turning toward the north,
The wind continues swirling along;
And on its circular courses the wind returns.

      7All the rivers flow into the sea,
Yet the sea is not full.
To the place where the rivers flow,
There they flow again.

      8All things are wearisome;
Man is not able to tell it.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
Nor is the ear filled with hearing.

      9That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.

      10Is there anything of which one might say,
“See this, it is new”?
Already it has existed for ages
Which were before us.

      11There is no remembrance of earlier things;
And also of the later things which will occur,
There will be for them no remembrance
Among those who will come later still.

We can not find our true purpose, fulfillment and lasting value in our works alone. Works done in our own power will not have lasting impact. Rather, pursue what God calls you to do. That will have lasting impact!

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Proverbs (Wisdom & Folly), Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Wisdom Calls the Righteous, Fools Pursue Folly

Take time to consider the treasure of wisdom in Proverbs. Reflect prayerfully on how it applies in your life today.

Proverbs 17

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

1Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.

      2A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully,
And will share in the inheritance among brothers.

      3The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the LORD tests hearts.

      4An evildoer listens to wicked lips;
A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

      5He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker;
He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

      6Grandchildren are the crown of old men,
And the glory of sons is their fathers.

      7Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are lying lips to a prince.

      8A bribe is a charm in the sight of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

      9He who conceals a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

      10A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.

      11A rebellious man seeks only evil,
So a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

      12Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.

      13He who returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.

      14The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

      15He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.

      16Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,
When he has no sense?

      17A friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.

      18A man lacking in sense pledges
And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

      19He who loves transgression loves strife;
He who raises his door seeks destruction.

      20He who has a crooked mind finds no good,
And he who is perverted in his language falls into evil.

      21He who sires a fool does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.

      22A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

      23A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom
To pervert the ways of justice.

      24Wisdom is in the presence of the one who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

      25A foolish son is a grief to his father
And bitterness to her who bore him.

      26It is also not good to fine the righteous,
Nor to strike the noble for their uprightness.

      27He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

      28Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Share the Good News, Wise

Connect With Others Where They Are, Not Where You Want Them to Be

Paul had a talent for engaging people who did not yet know Christ in a way in which he could establish a connection with them. He was able to discern where they were and engage them in productive ways. For each audience, he thinks carefully about where they are currently, and then tries to establish a connection with them before drawing them to Christ. He never simply comes forth and starts the conversation with “You are going to hell, but I have the words to save you.” Would you believe someone approached me with this many years ago. They meant well, but it absolutely was ineffective… actually pushed me away from them. They did not even know me.

 

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

      19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

I pray for God’s help to give me this kind of wisdom like Paul. I want to be able to connect with folks. This does not mean we should engage in their sin or false teaching, but simply look for ways to connect with them. A great example is recorded in Acts 17.

 

Acts 17:22-31

      22So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29“Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

 

Paul could easily have started with “You are all pagans worshipping false gods and will go to hell”. It would have been true, but not effective. Instead he seizes on a positive way to engage them… “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.” and from there he brings them to the truth of the Lord. Wonderful approach. They listened.

 

Take a few minutes in prayer with me. Let us each ask the Father’s help to be able to engage in this way with believers and non-believers alike. May we see them in love and for the need they have to know Him, rather than judge them harshly. Of course, we must never compromise the truth of scripture just to make others feel less bad. That leads people to complacency, an easy and comfortable path to hell.

 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Rewarded, Strife, Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Neither He Who Plants Nor He Who Waters

Let us rely on God as the foundation for our lives. We are not to rely on a pastor or family member. We are not to rely on the person who helped lead us to Christ or even on the ones who help us grow in Christ. We must remain focused on Yeshua (Hebrew for Jesus) as the foundation and the only way to the Father. Neither He who plants nor He who waters is anything, but rather God causes the growth.

1 Corinthians 3

Foundations for Living

      1And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

      5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

      10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

      16Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

      18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS”; 20and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS.” 21So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.

Let no one boast in men or lay their foundation on men, even those who are righteous. Instead, belong to Christ as Christ Himself belongs to God the Father.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for sending workers for the harvest. Thank You for those who lay the foundation and for those who build upon it. Guide us in building in such a way that it will last when tested in fire. You are worthy of praise and glory and honor! Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

Holy Spirit (hearing from God), Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Wise

We Must Rely on the Spirit of God

It is not the wisdom of men we seek as followers of Christ, but rather the wisdom and power of God. We must rely on the Spirit rather than our own logic and understanding alone if we are to make sense of all that is going on around us. Many, including those in positions of power and authority, do not understand God’s wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2

Paul’s Reliance upon the Spirit

      1And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

      6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

9but just as it is written,
“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”

10For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

      14But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Take a few minutes now and pray that our Father will guide you through the Spirit to greater understanding and godly wisdom and a deeper relationship with Him. Trust in Him rather than in the ways of “natural man”. Accept that may often find yourself in the minority when you choose to go deeper in your relationship with Yahweh and as the Spirit reveals more and more truth to you. Embrace and trust the Father and let the Spirit guide you.

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

The Wisdom of Yahweh or the Wisdom of Man?

Will you choose to follow the wisdom of man, or the wisdom of Yahweh? Today’s scripture passage could just as easily have been written today as it was thousands of years ago. It remains true to this day. Many fools think themselves wise and reject God in the name of “wisdom”. The word of the cross is truly foolishness to those who are perishing… but to those of us who are being saved, it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

The Wisdom of God

      18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19For it is written,
“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

      26For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29so that no man may boast before God. 30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

This is a powerful and rather straightforward passage. Let us take heed. Do not listen to the “wisdom” the world claims to have in rejecting and mocking our Creator, but rather seek out the true wisdom of God.

25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, you are above all things. Nothing is beyond your knowledge or understanding. Thank You for giving us Your word as a light unto our path. Please guide Your people in Your wisdom and grant us discernment and courage to choose Your wisdom over that presented by the world. In Yeshua’s name, I pray. Amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Learning To Pray Effectively, Wise

Seeking Wisdom from the One Who Is Truly Wise

Truly if you want wisdom, do not look to universities and degrees in higher learning, though those may have some value, but instead look to the Lord and ask Him humbly for the wisdom you seek. Pursue it in study of the scriptures and prayer and God will give it to you in the measure and time He deems appropriate.

Do not seek it though to accomplish your own plans and desires for you own glory, but rather for the Lord’s plans for His glory through you. Do not ask for it expecting Him not to give it either, but rather expect and trust that He will grant what you ask.

2 Chronicles 1

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

     8Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. 9“Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” 13So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.

James 1:5-8

    5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please grant me wisdom. Help me to grow in my knowledge of You and Your word and also in whatever areas You are calling me to serve You. I will be single minded and not double minded. I ask for wisdom fully anticipating that You not only can but will grant it in Your timing and to the fullness of Your measure. In the name of Yeshua we pray. amen. 

Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Am I on the path?, Church / Body of Christ, Faith / Trusting God, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Humility, Hypocrisy, Justice / Judgment, Love, Peace / Rest, Wise

Do Not Be Conformed to This World

How shall we treat one another as brothers and sisters in the faith? How shall we treat those who consider us their enemies? Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that we may prove that the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. We are to be different from the world even though we live within it.

Romans 12

Dedicated Service

      1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

      3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

      9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

      14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20“BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

What a fantastic summary of how we are to be in this world if we are to be disciples of Christ! When we live like this we are certainly not conformed to the world. Through the Holy Spirit we can continue striving to live according to these instructions.

This scripture is worth reading over a few times and prayerfully reflecting on each element as it applies in our lives. Are there areas we can be encouraged that we feel we are living up to these instructions? What are they for you? Are there areas that you find the Holy Spirit reminding you that you need to do better? What are they? Pray that God would help you on your journey to be more like Christ. This is a great summary of some key attitude and behavior elements to focus on.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please lead and guide me. Grant me deeper understanding of Your word. Help me to live according to Your instructions laid out by Paul in Romans 12. Help all of Your people to do so. Let us be a light to draw others to You.

In Yeshua’s name I pray. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Seeking God, Share the Good News, Teachable, Wise

Blessed Are the Feet of Those Who Bring the Good News

For those of us who desire to be true disciples of Christ, we must ask ourselves, how can people call upon the name of the Lord if they do not first hear the truth about Christ? Blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news in truth rather than deception and false teaching.

As we read in Romans 10, verses 11-21, below, we must first remember the context. In the first part of Romans 10 Paul specifically addresses that those who are to be saved must truly believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. It is not simply calling upon Jesus once and then ignoring everything He taught. It is genuine, wholehearted discipleship. It is transformational and changes our lives.

Romans 10:11-21

11For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

     14How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

      16However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

      18But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;
“THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.”

19But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,
“I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION,
BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.”

20And Isaiah is very bold and says,
“I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME,
I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”

21But as for Israel He says, “ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.”

The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is available to transform everyone’s life, if they will only open up to it and embrace it fully. It is so much more than just “making it to heaven”, but rather transforms our lives on earth as well.

There will be no excuse “surely I never heard the word taught accurately”. Each of us having recognized our Creator through observing Creation around us or having heard the gospel of Christ will be without excuse for choosing not to follow and obey. We all have time with which to seek out the answers in prayer and study. Consider what you spend your time on. Seek out teachers of correct doctrine and avoid those who teach false doctrine.

This means you will need to be in the word yourself and pray for and use discernment to sift truth from falsehood. God is our source of truth, but He has provided us the Bible as our guide. It is a guide which most of us have unlimited access to but choose only to use a little.

I invite you to take a few minutes right now to pray.

Prayerfully ask Yahweh to guide you in putting aside the right amount of time in the right way to know Him and His word more intimately and completely. Pray for those who are teachers of truth, that they would be able to share God’s word effectively and boldly. Pray also for those who preach false gospel, that they would gain wisdom and repent so that their talents and energy could serve God’s kingdom rather than create confusion and pull people away from Him.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Humility, Study the Word, Wise

Do Not Redefine God, Rather Redefine Your Understanding of Him

Today’s message is brief, but important. Take a few minutes to reflect on it prayerfully. Some will simply say, “this is obvious”, and that is great. Others may really need the reminder as they experience difficult situations in which they may feel a bit lost.

When we find scripture that is confusing or seems contradictory based on our current understanding, we have a few choices.

  1. Ignore the confusion and keep going about focusing on what we do understand.
  2. Redefine God and His word to fit into our current understanding.
  3. Let His word challenge and redefine our understanding so we can grow further, even if it makes us uncomfortable.

Option 1 may actually be ok sometimes, if the point at question is fairly minor. However, we should acknowledge that we may be missing an opportunity the Spirit is trying to use to help us grow in our understanding of God.

Option 2 is never the right choice, and few ever choose it intentionally. They do not say, “let me redefine God”. Rather, they allow themselves to interpret scripture very liberally and stretch beyond what it actually says. Often, they can lean into false teaching that is so prevalent in churches today to back up what they believe. We should be very careful to test our understanding against other scripture, not just against what our pastor says. Many pastors are teaching flat out bad doctrine, typically mixed with a lot of truth as well, which makes it seem believable.  Many do not realize they are teaching bad doctrine. They are simply lost in the cultural understanding or God rather than the Biblical one.

An example of this may be when God tells the Israelites to take the promised land and take no prisoners. Many may struggle with understanding the context and instead of searching out true understanding, push away from God and the Bible as if their own understanding is the source of truth.

Consider this article on BibleProject.com, Joshua: Judgment or Cruelty? Conquering the Promised Land | BibleProject™

Of course, option 3 is best. Allow yourself to admit you don’t fully understand something. Then, if it is troubling you, put in time and effort to study and pray to seek an answer. However, start with the following premise: God is perfect and just. The Bible is the most accurate source of instruction from God to His people on how to live. My understanding and that of culture and churches around me is often flawed. If I am not redefining my understanding of God based on His revelation and His word, I am not learning.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help Your people to remain humble in our understanding of You so that we would be ready to learn as You reveal new things to us rather than clinging to what we think we already know and redefining You and Your word to fit our current view. Lead us to redefine our understanding of You based on Your word and not to redefine You and what Your word means based on our current views. Amen.  

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.