Proverbs 11:14 - Guidance Counselors

Proverbs 11:14

Where there is no guidance the people fall,

But in an abundance of counselors there is victory.

Message: Guidance Counselors

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: We all need guidance. I think we all seem to believe this. And when we try to do things ourselves without guidance problems seem to arise. It seems pride gets in the way often for us and we think we can do things on our own. The classic example of the man driving to get somewhere without consulting a map. And often the result is getting lost. 

I also think about the structure that we have in the United States with our government and infrastructure that has been established while many poor parts of the world do not have the leadership that organized cities infrastructures and in the process the people are involved in much disorder. 

We need guidance. We need to be educated and instructed. Things can easily get off course without the guidance. 

The contrast is having an abundance of counselors provides us victory. Whether we are going to school or homeschooled I believe we need a lot of sources to be taught. It seems the point here is we need others and we need other points of view outside of ourselves. I notice in my job it is not healthy that I am doing so much. I need to be flexible to different perspectives. I need to also not assume these counselors have bad motives. I often have people re-read what I have written. I need them to make sure that what I have written is right. 

Big decisions need trusted people. At its simplest state is the idea that riding a bus needs a driver, flying on a plane, we need a pilot. It is good that we have others guiding us in life and we are not doing things on our own. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for your guidance in my life. Thank you that Your word and Your Law is a guide for my life. Father, you have placed good people in my path which guide and direct me. Thank you for the wisdom you have given others and the gifts they have. I thank you for books I read that provide help and perspectives I need. Lord, You are Holy and true and your ways are right and they are what I need in my life. Help me to be receptive to others and their help. Remove pride from me. You are gracious and good God. Thank you. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Genesis 24 - God's Will and Your Spouse

Genesis 24:14 - now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.”

Message: God's Will and Your Spouse

Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying: It is not a mystery in my life that I make things more complicated than they should be. And perhaps many of us do this. When I was first trying to figure out what I would do with my life, I was waiting for a lightning bolt or writing on the wall. As I think about the journey, I took, it was often based upon reason and choosing what I thought was the best decision at the time. There was constantly some level of wondering as to whether I had made the right decision. When I think also of Pamela and marrying her. I do believe I received a lightning bolt in that I had a dream about her and it was clear in that dream that she was the one I would marry. I think up to that point, I wasn't really thinking much about her, so maybe I needed that wake-up call. But for the most part, simply knowing that she was a Christian and a friend of the Lear's was good enough for me. It was really in our courtship that I began to know better the soft heart she had for the Word of God and studying it. 

This study today mentions that the lightning bolt experiences, even the one mentioned here in Genesis 24, but these sort of occurrences should not be what we are waiting to happen before we marry. Instead, it mentions general principles:

1. Is the potential spouse a believer (2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?) - For me, I know this was #1 on my list. I had dated a gal after high school that wasn't a believer and that was a problem in the relationship. Even dating someone of a different denomination for me was an issue with the next person I dated. Her faith was there, but she did not bridge that faith to living her life as much. 
2. Are these individuals that one can submit to, if a woman, or love deeply and lead, if a man (Ephesians 5:22-33)? I think in the love department, this comes down to being attractive to a person. Maybe at first I wasn't and then grew into this. But I could tell that she was sensitive to a man being a leader. 
3. Is the potential spouse not a relative to whom God would prohibit marriage (Leviticus 18)? This one did not seem like a concern ever. 
4. For a woman, is the potential husband a hard worker who will provide (I Timothy 5:8 - But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.)? For the man, is the potential wife prudent (Proverbs 19:14 - House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.)? - Pamela had dreams, was fun to speak with, and had a good upbringing. I could see this and she read God's word and was careful about its application in her life. 
5. Do you enjoy one another's company (Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun.)? - I think this is part of attraction and spending time together. This was also something I immediately enjoyed with Pamela. I always think of sitting at Furr's Cafeteria and listening to her talk. 

So these are basics that come about after initial attraction I think, at least for me. And another reminder to me that God has set up parameters for our lives without decreeing specifics. 

Summary: We are to be guided by wisdom and the principles of Scripture in both choosing a vocation and a spouse.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Your guidance and helping me through all these years discern my future work and my wife. You work through my wife continually and she is the best partner for me. I seriously don't understand why you are so good to me, but I am so thankful. Please guide my children to make decisions that honor you. 

Romans 1:18-23 - Guidance In Worship

Romans 1:18-23 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. 

Message: Guidance in Worship

Time: Paul wrote to Rome, the city he never visited, from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57. He writes to a church that he believes needed to hear basic Gospel doctrine. The city was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idolatry.

What the Lord is Saying:

It is interesting but most of the arguments in the church are over how God is worshipped. Even going back to the 4th century controversy that Arius of Alexandria brought up that the essence of the Son, namely Jesus Christ, was different from the essence of the Father - this controversy had its basis in worship and whether Jesus would be worshipped like the Father. Later in the reformation, there was the question of whether Mary could be worshipped. 

The argument by Paul in Romans 1 is that worship is a part of every human. He says that in each person God is manifest or revealed and if a person does not honor God, the person will honor something else. This moves into the argument of idolatry which is extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone. I John 5:21 says, "Little children, guard yourselves from idols." The 2nd commandment, Exodus 20:4, "You shall not make yourself an idol." In Jesus' sermon on the mount he says in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters." There is this recurring idea in Scripture that our ultimate worship belongs to God and God alone. I think the difficult part is always trying to figure out that love and admirations are okay, but we must be careful of the intensity of those loves - making sure they don't rise to a level that our love for them not only conflicts with God but what God is asking us to do in His Word. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith makes this known in 21.1. 

But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited to his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.

The basic premise of our message today is to look to God's word for guidance on how we are to worship. We do not need to imagine or devise other methods ourselves, but we are to look to scripture and apply the standards from Scripture. 

Deuteronomy 12:32 - Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. 

Summary: It is simple and yet remains hard in determining worship today. Start with scripture and let scripture define our ways in worship. 

Promise: We must follow God's prescriptions for worship. We risk offering false worship to God when we do not follow His inspired directions for how to praise Him. 

Prayer: Lord, in my life, I have seen so many different types of worship music and even differences in worship services take place. It is hard to understand for me if I am to be guided by my own personal desires and choices or if there is something wrong in some of these practices. Help me now in this study to think from Your word and to be guided by Your Spirit in worship and how I am to engage in worship of You. I want to be a true worshipper. 

Psalm 119:97-104 - Finding Guidance in the Law

Psalm 119:97-104

O How I love your law
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

Message: Finding Guidance in the Law

Time: Psalms, a collection of lyrical poems, with multiple authors. David wrote 73 Psalms, though for 50 or so the author is unknown. Psalms means songs of praise. The writings span 1,000 years. They encourage us to praise God, illuminate the greatness of God, affirm His faithfulness in times of trouble, and remind us of the absolute centrality of His word. 

What the Lord is Saying:

October 5

Tabletalk records that "God's law is a place to find guidance for what pleases the Lord." The 10 commandments were used to help believers understand what kind of life God expects of His people. 

I have previously learned in this study that the Law primarily is a tool God uses to bring me to Christ, showing me what God expects and in turn bring me to Christ who is the only one that fulfills the Law. The temptation is the idea that obedience to God's word brings about salvation. We get too focused often on acts of obedience and can miss the grace of God; we think instead that obedience either completely or at a high level is what God seeks. So once we understand that salvation is not a measure of obedience, we can still see that the Law guides us into what pleases God. Obedience is really about praising God and seeking to please Him, than it being something that will benefit me. Granted, it will benefit me but my motivation should be towards praising God. 

Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy. The commandment is Holy and Righteous and Good. 

When we love God we love His statutes and commands He has given us.

Psalm 119:97 O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

I have been encouraged since a young age to memorize scripture. I remember my mom telling me my dad loved Psalm 1 so I memorized that (and remember lying down, looking at the stars in the backyard with my mom and reciting it). And then put other verses to memory that I still know today - 40  years later. In this practice, I've learned to love God's word as I repeat it again and again.

Psalm 119:98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.

Wisdom comes about through learning and knowing God's word. It anchors me and makes me wise. It 
gives me God's perspective on life. Another reason I should run to it.

October 7

Psalm 119:99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.

There is a temptation in the Christian's life to possess pride and feel like we are better than others because in the study of God's word it is as if we have found a hidden treasure. But we must resist this and acknowledge God's spirit in us giving us this insight.

Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.

As I study God's word, I start to see it in action in my daily life -- I observe it. And in this process my understanding of all things of life increases.

Psalm 119:101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.

My goal is to keep God's word. To have it hidden in my heart as I do this and rid evil from my life it opens me up to the good practice of keeping Thy word, following it.

Psalm 119:102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.

I am taught scripture by doing scripture by doing scripture. I can't do it if I don't know it. I sit under God's teaching when I make this his ordinances part of my life.

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Like candy, which makes my mouth feel good, God's word is my sweetness. Candy provides often a feeling of a reward and more than I deserve and this is what happens when I get God's word.

October 10

Psalm 119:104 From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

As I understand God's word, in turn, I see what is important to God and what glorifies Him and it helps me to hate falsehood. 

------

Thus, his Law needs to be one with my very being. This gives me knowledge of what pleases and displeases Him. Matthew 5:17-20 reminds me that the Law of God remains important; Jesus came to fulfill it. He is the only one that could. The law is meant to be kept.

October 11 

I'm thankful for the Word. I remain not perfect. This manifested itself in me last night when I pursued something not honoring to me, God, or my marriage. I'm taken back to God's word, His law and reminded one that I am week, in capable of meeting His perfect plan, but also in moments of weakness He needs to be my refuge. 

Promise: Love God. Love His Word. Keep His Word. Hate Falsehood. 

Prayer: Lord, your Word is a lamp to my life. Oh How I love your Law as it accompanies me throughout my day, pointing me in the direction I need to go. As I read Your word, it makes me wise and wiser than my enemies. I gain insight and understanding. And then as I observe your words and make them a part of my life my way or the path I walk is not on the path of evil. Your words are sweet to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. From these words I get understanding. O God, remind me of this when I am struggling. I want to hate falsehood more. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Bringing me to Christ

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him. 

Guiding our Lives

The Guidance of the Law - The Law is a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. The Antinomian Error - We were slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to obedience and righteousness. Judaizing Legalism - The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation. The Deadliest Form of Legalism - This legalism is that one would get too focused on external practices instead of focusing on the heart.

The Law is our Guide

The Centrality of Love - Love and the law go hand in hand. We do not belong to God unless we love our neighbor, and we cannot love our neighbor without knowing and doing God‘s law and loving him.

Psalm 119:9-11 - The Guidance of the Law

Psalm 119:9-11

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.

Message: The Guidance of the Law

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The Law acts as a restraining tool. I think of the time of Noah when the Law was not yet present and God would wipe out the earth because everyone did evil continually. And then the Law came on the scene to aid man, restraining from doing evil all of the time. So it is a tool of restraint for every person - whether they recognize it or not in their lives. But this is meant to point people to Christ. Recognizing our sin is meant to show people their need for deliverance. We are powerless to this sin and need Christ to be forgiven and the power to resist sin. Christ is the answer to all of life's problems of sin. Thus, the law is a tool to bring me to Christ and help me see my need for Him. 

But in addition to being a restraining tool and pointing us to Christ, it also acts as a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. As today's verse starts in Psalm 119, verse 9 - How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word. This Law, is our guide.  We are to treasure or store God's word in our heart. This is something I always so my mom doing, writing out verses on notecards and reading them often. God's word was ever present in her life. I know she struggled with doubts and her marriage and things still, but God's word was close. She always wanted to do the right thing. 

I've gotten away from memorizing God's word for it is a struggle it seems for me. But, I need to keep reading it and studying. 

Promise: God's word is our always present help in life. It is God's good gift to equip us for pleasing Him in all that we think, do, say, love and believe.

Prayer: Thank you God for your Word and thank You Spirit of God for continuing to instruct me in how I am to live. Keep me close to it. And give me discernment in the reading of it. Help me to know how to talk to people about it. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him.

Jesus Calling: December 22

Come to Me, and rest in My Presence. As you ponder the majestic mystery of the Incarnation, relax in My everlasting arms. I am the only Person who was ever sired by the Holy Spirit. This is beyond your understanding. Instead of trying to comprehend My Incarnation intellectually, learn from the example of the wise men. They followed the leading of a spectacular star, then fell down in humble worship when they found Me.
     Praise and worship are the best responses to the wonder of My Being. Sing praises to My Holy Name. Gaze at Me in silent adoration. Look for a star of guidance in your own life, and be willing to follow wherever I lead. I am the Light from on high that dawns upon you, to guide your feet into the way of Peace. 

Luke 1:35
English Standard Version 
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."

John 1:14 
English Standard Version
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 2:9-11
New King James Version 
⁹ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Luke 1:78-79
Amplified Version

⁷⁸ 
Because of the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Sunrise (the Messiah) from on high will dawn and visit us,
⁷⁹ 
To shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
To guide our feet [in a straight line] into the way of peace and serenity.”

My Prayer
[Take 3 minutes, close your eyes, and be quiet before the Creator.]

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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: November 30

Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven in to the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.
     Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route  to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity. 

Psalm 32:8
English Standard Version
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Luke 10:41-42
English Standard Version
⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
 
Philippians 3:20-21
English Standard Version
²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

My Prayer
Help me to understand Lord that eternity is in my heart and I don't need to look at every problem like their is a solution I must solve. May I be more focused on our relationship and less focused on solving problems. As your word says, you will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. My citizenship is in heaven. My belonging is with You. Again, keep me eternity minded and not of this world. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Proverbs 20:18 - Our Need for Counsel

Proverbs 20:18 - Prepare plans by consultation, and make war by wise guidance.

Message: Our Need for Counsel

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

As a reminder, Proverbs are generally counsel given by parents to their children.

In this case, Solomon mentions that we are prepare plans by consultation. I am seeing that this can be a good thing and it can also be a not good thing. Right now, the issue we are having with my youngest son, who is 15, is that he is taking counsel from other 15 year old's in his life, and trusting their counsel over mine or my wife's. In this vein, it is causing us unrest because the counsel he is getting is not wise counsel. It is dangerous counsel that is putting him in precarious situations that he does not recognize as being unwise.

I just wish he would not take my counsel and consider it with a greater weight than his friends. It is a hard lesson to learn. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

I think of my other son who is often not taking the counsel of anyone, but instead living in the manner that he thinks is best. 

And in this same light, I believe Solomon is saying that if you must go to war, be wise about it. Think about others and consider the advice of many, make war by wise guidance. As we engage in spiritual warfare, we need to understand that we cannot do it alone. We need help. We need to seek the Lord and we need to seek the help of others in our life. I think it is also saying to not just plunge into war. I think I need to remember this and be careful about waging war, even as I relate to my children.

Promise: Take care in choosing the company we keep, always heed wise, godly advice.

Proverbs 24:1-2 - Envying Evil Men

Proverbs 24:1-2
Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.

Message: Do not envy evil men

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This seems to be an obvious statement here that begins the 24th chapter of Proverbs. I am not to envy evil men. To envy is to desire something that I feel is better that what I have. Even if a person has it in mind to be envious, Solomon puts forth that the evil mind devises violence and their lips talk of trouble. 

While this is obvious, evil is personified in a very glamorous way in these times. A lot of evil behavior is now classified as acceptable behavior by our culture. Society accepts all different types of behavior now, so there are no more immediate or societal consequences for practicing this lifestyle that would be called evil. 

We are struggling with this verse right now in our family as my son is watching a friend engage in an evil practice and getting away with it. He has been doing it for 2 years and isn't getting in any trouble. So, my son thinks he is able to do the same practice. 

This is very difficult in raising children because they reach an age where they start engaging in different types of behavior. The counsel of their parents begins to not have the same level of respect or value as it did earlier. They are hearing and seeing different viewpoints and perspectives. They are liking things and not seeing immediate consequences. Sin is more widely accepted by society and society isn't punishing wrong behavior. I see myself with these problems. When there are no consequences I tend to think that the behavior is okay. It may be speeding on roads. Yet, even consequences may not curb the behavior. 

It's at times like these, that I continue to look at every possible resource to help educate my son, but most importantly, I drop to my knees and ask the Lord to intervene. My son's heart is what needs changed.

Promise: Proverbs are needed in our life. They are not always obvious. We need wisdom from above. 

Jesus Calling: January 25

Let My Love enfold you in the radiance of My Glory. Sit still in the Light of My Presence, and receive My Peace. These quiet moments with Me transcend time, accomplishing far more than you can imagine. Bring Me the sacrifice of your time, and watch to see how abundantly I bless you and your loved ones.

Through the intimacy of our relationship, you are being transformed from the inside out. As you keep your focus on Me, I form you into the one I desire you to be. Your part is to yield to My creative work in you, neither resisting it nor trying to speed it up. Enjoy the tempo of a God-breathed life by letting Me set the pace. Hold My hand in childlike trust, and the way before you will open up step by step.

Hebrews 13:15
English Standard Version

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

2 Corinthians 3:18
English Standard Version

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Psalm 73:23-24
English Standard Version

²³ Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

My Prayer
Lord, sometimes I need to sit in the quiet of You and not feel like I have to be busy all the time or engaged in activity. Activity includes sitting in front of a screen. Sometimes I wonder if I am really allowing You to work in my life or if I stack my life with so much that You can barely get a piece of it. Help me be a child that just holds my parents hand and is led. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: August 4

Hold My hand, and walk joyously with Me through this day. Together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when you are weary, and much more. I am your Guide, as well as your constant Companion. I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven.
     You don't have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I am the Way, staying close to Me is staying on course. As you focus your thoughts on Me, I will guide you carefully along today's journey. Don't worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me.

John 14:6
English Standard Version 
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
 
Colossians 4:2
English Standard Version
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

My Prayer
Lord, I want to see you as the way in my life. Keep me focused on You, trusting you moment by moment. Help me to find my Rest in You O God. I want to be defined by Your Way in my life. Help me to not stare and linger on those things in my life that too easily get me off course. Help me to really trust you, not lean on my own understanding, acknowledge You and You will make my paths straight.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: July 2

Let Me show you My way for you this day. I guide you continually, so you can relax and enjoy My Presence in the present. Living well is both a discipline and an art. Concentrate on staying close to Me, the divine Artist. Discipline your thoughts to trust Me as I work My ways in your life. Pray about everything; then, leave outcomes up to Me. Do not fear My will, for through it I accomplish what is best for you. Take a deep breath and dive in the depths of absolute trust in Me. Underneath are the everlasting arms!

     
Psalm 5:2-3
English Standard Version

² Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
³ O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Verse thoughts

This lament petitions the Lord in the midst of distress. However, the psalmist also expresses trust in the Lord’s protection. David, Israel’s king, addresses God as his King. He knows that his own kingship is a pale reflection of God’s.

Deuteronomy 33:27
English Standard Version

The eternal God is your dwelling place,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
    and said, ‘Destroy.’

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: May 16

     I am your Lord! Seek Me as Friend and Lover of your soul, but remember that I am also King of kings--sovereign over all. You can make some plans as you gaze into the day that stretches out before you. But you need to hold those plans tentatively, anticipating that I may have other ideas. The most important thing to determine is what to do right now, instead of scanning the horizon of your life, looking for things that need to be done, concentrate on the task before you and the One who never leaves your side. Let everything else fade into the background. This will unclutter your mind, allowing Me to occupy more and more of your consciousness.
     Trust Me to show you what to do when you have finished what you are doing now. I will guide you step by step, as you bend your will to Mine. Thus you stay close to Me on the path of Peace. 

Proverbs 19:21
English Standard Version
Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
    but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Luke 1:79
English Standard Version

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.

My Prayer (2018)
Lord, you are teaching me to talk to you throughout my day. As I talk to people throughout the day, I am to to talk to you. I don't necessarily need to stop, bow my head, but I can just voice to you as I would a friend. You are there, near, and I want you to guide my steps. Lord, I admit that many times I do get ahead of myself, planning my future when things can happen often to disrupt it. Help me God to organize myself. Lord, I do want to talk to you more, throughout my day, even as I go to work and work on tasks, I can talk to you as I do them. Then as I come home help me to not simply be a creature going from entertainment to entertainment but to seek you in my rest. I admit, often I sense your Spirit reminding me to pray and talk to you about me, about the other people in my life and often I don't do this, but instead revert to a habit that I have in my life and suddenly you are sort of squashed. Help me instead to bend my will to Yours.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: April 13

     When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you. The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life. Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours. This is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing. 

     Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening. Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face. Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms. Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day.

Colossians 3:23
English Standard Version
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

John 15:5
English Standard Version
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Psalm 105:4
English Standard Version
Seek the Lord and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!

My Prayer
Lord, I admit, there are parts of my life that I don't welcome you into. I'm segmented. I give you time in the mornings, on Sunday, at various Bible Studies, but then often make decisions about entertainment that don't involve you. How often do the movies and shows I watch use your name in vain or promote values that I don't agree with and that violate your Word. Too often, I want to conform to the standards of the society in which I live, and that is the goal of the world I live in, to conform me to its standards. Help me instead to enjoy the quiet days and make different choices and let you entertain me, in Your way. I read this verse 'seek his presence continually' and right now, I can honestly say, that is not by everyday goal. Move me there, Lord. Move me.


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 2:17-21a - Teaching Oneself

Romans 2:17-21a - 17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?

Message: A person can have all the right ingredients in their life, in appearance, but are they complete? 

Time: Romans was probably written during Paul’s third missionary journey from Corinth to a Jewish/Gentile church in Rome (around 56-57 AD).

What the Lord is Saying:


Just as verses 14-16 expanded on verse 12, now verses 17-21 expand on verse 13. As a reminder, verse 13 stated, "for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God (the Jews), but the doers of the Law will be justified."

The reminder here is that it is still important to uphold the truths of teaching the Law and upholding the things of God, but teaching is not just for others benefits, it is also placing a mirror before us so that we can see ourselves. We are also shining a light back at us.

Yes we need to:

• rely upon the Law
• boast in God
• know His will
• approve the things that are essential
• be instructed out of the Law
• be a guide to the blind
• a light to those who are in darkness
• a corrector of the foolish
• a teacher of the immature
• knowing that the Law embodies all knowledge and truth

Yet, as we live to revel in these things, the greatest thing is to teach oneself. Yes, we want to serve others and know the truth, but most importantly, I need to realize that the standard is for me. The Law is for me. I boast in God so I don't boast in myself. I know His will so that I don't live life according to my will. I approve of those things that are only of God. My instruction comes out of the Law of God and His word. I am there for others, guiding those that can't see. I am to uphold the Word of God continually  in my life as there are so many living in darkness. I am to correct those that make foolish, unwise decisions. I am to teach those that can only handle milk. Again, I am to train myself by the Word of God for it embodies all that I need.

John MacArthur message - False Security
I read a message by John MacArthur on False Security which is what he had titled a sermon on verses 17-20. He states that every person places their security in something. Every person desires to believe that what they have decided to be true is true for them.

The first security here for the Jew was their heritage, "But if you bear the name Jew" in verse 17. For the Jew, just being called a Jew is often their security. For the non-Christian, growing up in a religious family is their security. But, God is clear that association to heritage isn't enough.

The second security is the Jews "rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law," verse 17 and 18. This security is knowledge. They had the Law of God, they were instructed out of it, they had discerning, and they knew the difference between good and evil. To be instructed out of the Law is to receive the Law orally. The Greek word is katecheo or oral repetitious teaching or catechism. They had great head knowledge, but very little life change.

[It is interesting because this is what I perceive in many of the people that I associate with in my life. They can explain the gospel. They can explain grace. They can explain the necessity of confessing our sins. And yet there is very little life change.]

Just knowing is not our security. Our security is in doing. Verse 13 states that "it is not the hearers of the law that are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified."

[I'm thinking about this right now in the life of many of the people I know and in the life of my kids. One of the things I have noticed lately is the tension they live in, in the world of their church friends and non-church friends. And the way they dance between the two. I remember doing it. And I remember thinking it was no big deal. I felt like I could have both. I had the security of my faith and knew I needed that. But, I also enjoyed the time with the friends in my life. I even had non-Christian girlfriends that I dated, never thinking it was a big deal. And the reason I felt okay with being with the non-Christian is I focused on the relationship and the friendship and the comfort in that. And I think I believed that I could have both and be fine.]

The third security was their confidence in what they did. Verse 19 mentions "confidence." Verses 19 and 20 mention ways the Christian should live, but here, for the Jew, there security rested not in Christ, but in what they did. Paul mentions that "you yourself are a guide to the blind." Is there anything greater than taking someone who doesn't know and is blind to truth and showing them the right way? It is so easy to do this and then pay myself on the back for what I think I have done in giving them truth. But, what happens if what they are leading a person in is not correct?  And then they were "a light to those in darkness." This is very similar to being a guide to the blind. What is the big danger of a cult or starting a religion? It is being to take something and then convince someone else it is true. Verse 20, they saw themselves as "a corrector of the foolish." When someone can't make a right decision, they are corrected. And again great confidence comes about when a person corrects another. And also "a teacher of the immature." Education is taking a young mind that has little knowledge and giving them understanding. And finally, "having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and the truth." They had the sketch or drawing of what was right.

However, they lacked something, a changed life. Verse 21 turns a corner for Paul to ask the question, when you teach others, do you teach yourself? The true worshiper is one that has experienced a complete life change. This doesn't mean that everything in their life is lined up with God and doing His will, but the person has a desire for their life to be this way.

[This reminds me of people in my life. I have heard the story of the person who went to church, was a deacon, taught Sunday school, and then discovered at one point in their life that they weren't really a Christian. It is great to be a Sunday School teacher or go to church, but a life must be changed completely. I quickly think about the Mormon who has a knowledge and then seemingly has a changed life. And yet what I see is the concern that there changed life is out of duty rather than out of a relationship. I'm not saying completely with the Mormon because the family time that they have and focus on, I don't think is because they are trying to jump through a hoop necessarily and earn something. But, I also think of the person I was speaking to (Vero) and how he mentioned that he still loved mainstream music and things of the world. Yet, I see the same thing in me at times and in people I know.]

I must examine myself. I look at my life and I often expose things in my life that are not proper. I want to always be a teacher, but more importantly teach myself.
 
Promise: When Christ changes a life, he changes the entire life, inside and out. AND We must judge ourselves first before we go and judge others.

Jesus Calling: April 7

    I AM THE POTTER; you are My clay. I designed you before the foundation of the world. I arrange the events of each day to form you into this preconceived pattern. My everlasting Love is at work in every event of your life. On some days your will and Mine flow smoothly together. You tend to feel in control of your life when our wills are in harmony. On other days you feel as if you are swimming upstream, against the current of My purposes. When that happens, stop and seek My face. The opposition you feel may be from Me, or it may be from the evil one.
    Talk with Me about what you are experiencing. Let My Spirit guide you through treacherous waters. As you move through the turbulent stream with Me, let circumstances mold you into the one I desire you to be. Say yes to your Potter as you go through this day.

Isaiah 64:8
English Standard Version 
But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

Psalm 27:8
English Standard Version 
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

My Prayer
I seek You Lord. You are my father, the potter, and I am the clay. The potter has love for what he makes from the clay and you have love for me. Help me to believe in You Lord and believe that you know what is best for me.


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Zechariah 10

Message: The Lord will restore His people

Time: The focus remains on the first coming of Christ. This is taking place after the completion of the temple. 480-470BC

What the Lord is Saying:

• The Lord promises a restoration for his people. 
• He will send rain, restoring their pastures (crops) to abundance. 
• His people need a shepherd, otherwise they walk lost and aimless, trusting in pipe dreams.
• A shepherd has the power of making the flock strong and glorious. 
• God will send a Cornerstone
• The Cornerstone will make His warriors mighty
• His warriors will trample their enemies because the Lord will be with them. 
• The Lord will strengthen His people because of His compassion. 
• He is their Lord and His people will have happiness because of something they take in apart from themselves (like wine). 
• They will listen to me when I call. 
• The few remaining will grow numerous.
• Though they are spread out, they will be united. 
• And they will one day be regathered. 
• The Lord makes His people strong. 

"By my authority, they will go wherever they wish." - not sure what this means

What I see from this passage is our need for a shepherd. Without a shepherd, the sheep or we, wander, trusting in words from others that never really lead us down the right path. Being in Christ, being with the Lord, means being guided by Him and what results by being in Him is a joy or happiness that in a way, is outside our knowing of how this happens. Like the way drinking wine effects us.

Verses 1-3 remind me of how little has changed in history. Sure, we have changes, but in the end, many look for guidance from idols and people that they think are making sense, rather than trusting in the Lord, the Shepherd. And then the sheep struggle remaining faithful. That's why, as I study God's word, I'm amazed by the phrase "be careful." It is a phrase I see often in Scripture. We must be careful for it is easy to be veered off course, even from those that are over us.

Lord, I pray you would gather Your sheep and Your sheep would hear your voice. Lord, make me more dependent on You. Help me to see that my strength is found in your camp and following after you. Thank you for calling me.

Promise: The Lord makes His people strong.

Jesus Calling: March 3

    I love you for who you are, not for what you do. Many voices vie for control of your mind, especially when you sit in silence. You must learn to discern what is My voice and what is not. Ask My Spirit to give you this discernment. Many of My children run around in circles, trying to obey the various voices directing their lives. This results in fragmented, frustrating patterns of living. Do not fall into this trap. Walk closely with Me each moment, listening for My directives and enjoying My Companionship. Refuse to let other voices tie you up in knots. My sheep know My voice and follow Me wherever I lead. 

Ephesians 4:1-6
English Standard Version
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 10:4
English Standard Version
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

This does remind me of what I've been reading in Zechariah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. These books often speak of Israel's faithfulness and God does not welcome their actions of disobedience, but His gracious acts are because of who He is. It's not that He looks past the sin, but His goodness is greater than we could ever know. It's a great reminder of His love for us.

I need to pray and lean on the Spirit for His guidance. Walk closely with the Lord each day. The Lord is before us and we follow Him. Not because of what we see, but because of what we hear. We know His voice.

Walk. Walk in a way that mirrors what God has done for me. Be humble because He is humble. Be gentle towards others because He has been gentle towards Me. Have patience with myself and other people. Why? Because He has been patient with me. Come alongside one another in Love. Why? Because God's Spirit is in us and wants us to be united. There is oneness in Christ, in God, in faith -- so there must be oneness in each other. The oneness isn't a command because of anything but our position in Christ.

My Prayer
Lord, give me the strength each day to stand firm in Christ. I pray that I would practice humility, gentleness, patience, and a love community.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Jesus Calling: February 29

    You are on the right path. Listen more to Me, and less to your doubts. I am leading you along the way I designed just for you. Therefore, it is a lonely way, humanly speaking. But I go before you as well as alongside you, so you are never alone. Do not expect anyone to understand fully My ways with you, any more than you can comprehend My dealings with others. I am revealing to you the path of Life day by day, and moment by moment. As I said to My disciple Peter, so I repeat to you: Follow Me. 

Psalm 119:105
English Standard Version

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

John 21:22
English Standard Version

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
My Prayer
Lord, how I need that daily confirmation from you to let me know that You are in control and have me going in the right direction. You are the lamp and light to my paths. It is like I am a car and you are my headlights, showing me where to go. I can't travel without lights. You are the light. I don't think I really get this. I think that I think that I can go throughout life without your light. But, as a Child of God, you are there with me. But, sometimes I don't acknowledge it. It's not like I am giving you permission to work. You are working. My issue is I am not trusting and taking care of the things you have asked me to care of. It is simple: Follow.

And thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to show me and direct me on your path. Your Word is my rule book, my lamp, and the light that shines forth from it lights my path. Lord these truths are wonderful from Sarah Young each day, but they are not meant to replace the reading and studying of Your Word. As the Psalmist says, it is Your Word that is my lamp. I thank  you that Jesus Calling can supplement my life and offer encouragement to my soul.

As Young says, I need to expect that those that do not embrace you and have not accepted you will not fully understand Your ways with me. I am not to conform to the world and its ways, but I am to stand as an alien and separate from their ways. So Lord, as I embark this day, there will be other voices - perhaps friends, perhaps the media, perhaps even a message from a TV or movie - that is not about You, but keep me close to You. listening to your Spirit as he speaks to me, lives in me, for I want to stay on your path.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: February 28

    Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes, a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.
    Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasable Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I died for your sins, so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-Face fellowship with me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace. 

Luke 6:37
English Standard Version
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

John 3:16-17
English Standard Version
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Isaiah 61:10
New American Standard Bible
I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Proverbs 3:11-12
English Standard Version
My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

Let God define my life. Be careful to observe all of the commandments. We need to be careful how we conduct ourselves every moment. If we are engaging in sin, we need to stop. God loves us, without condition, which means my performance is not earning His Love. Be the best I can be, within the context of His commands, but stoop grading life. Look forward each day for what God will do in our lives.

My Prayer

Lord, help me to live each moment for you, being careful what I do and say. I pray for your guidance through me and that I would honor You daily with my speech and conduct. Work in me to reflect You. I pray as I speak to others that You take care of outcomes. This is true in my life. The secret of my days in walking with you faithfully, not looking all around, at myself to determine if my road is correct, but trusting that following You leads me down the path that I need to be on. But, I must follow. If I don't follow you, I can't then make it out that I'm leaving in a proper manner, when I'm not.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.