Wisdom > Silver & Gold

Proverbs 3:14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.

This is one of many verses about the advantages of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. It is filled with verses about how valuable wisdom is to obtain. It is so important to be wise with our choices in life in every area; choices that affect our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health, our finances, our relationships, etc. Every choice we make affects an area of our life whether big or small. Sometimes making a wise choice involves some extra time to pause and think a decision through, sometimes it requires us to seek trusted individuals in our lives and draw from their wisdom, and sometimes it simply means choosing an alternative to the original plan. However, obtaining wisdom doesn't mean that you will never making the wrong decision or make a mistake, even the wisest person on this earth will make incorrect decisions. It means that you are trying your best to seek after God and make the decisions that he would have you to make. Solomon asked God for wisdom and God granted his request, was even pleased to do so. Maybe you've been trying to make decisions on your own and haven't been doing so well. Ask God to give you his wisdom and see what happens.

The Love Comparison

Have you ever based the love someone has for you on the love they have for someone else? That is such a dangerous trap. It puts you in one of two places, superiority or inferiority. Superiority says, "I am better than that person, I am receiving more love from someone because that other person is less than me." Matthew 23:12 says, "But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." God has called us to humble ourselves before him and others, and in doing that he will make things right.

Inferiority says, "I'm not worthy of the love someone has to give me, the person I am seeing also receive love is much better and surpasses anything that I could ever be." Proverbs 14:30 says, "A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." It's so easy to compare ourselves to others when it comes to our position in the lives of our loved ones. We want to be the best and the most important. However, the verse in proverbs says that a heart at peace give life to our bodies and jealousy is like cancer in our bones. Coming to the realization that we are who we are and there are going to be those that love us for that person and those that don't is so freeing. Constantly striving to gain others' approval and love is fleeting, it fails no matter how secure it is. God's love for you is always there, always constant and never based on his love for another family member, friend, coworker, or acquaintance.

Weary & Worn

Proverbs 30:1
I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God.

Are you weary and worn out today? This week? This month? This year? Even people in the Bible cried out to God declaring their weariness to him, they were vulnerable before him. Sometimes as Christians we think we have to have it all together and that if we express or show any negative feelings or emotions to God or others that we are weak and less than who God has created us to be. That is not true. God knows the innermost thoughts and secrets that we hold, and expressing them to him is sharing with him something he already knows. It creates an open line of communication between us and God to share our feelings and for him to share his truth. In Matthew 11:28 it says, "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” He has not given us heavy burdens to carry and become weary in doing so. What burdens have you taken on or not let go of that he has not called you to carry? It's time you put those burdens down and allow yourself to become refreshed and rested in the Lord.  

Secured in Joy

Head hanging low, eyes filled with hopelessness, shoulders drooping, feet shuffling slowly through each day. Did someone specific come to your mind when you read the opening description? If not, have you seen someone with the qualitites listed? These kinds of people are often beat down and left going through the motions of life with little hope for what that day or even the next day could bring. Sometimes that person is the one we see looking back at us in the mirror. It's so easy in our culture to become beat down with discouragement which leads to depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, drug abuse, and so much more. The only way that we can be sure of a joyful (I didn't say happy or perfect) life is if we have built our foundation on Christ. He is our only hope of being secured in joy. It says in Psalm 30:11, "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." Maybe you are joyful today and you have found joy in Christ, there are so many people around you that haven't. Whether you are struggling to find joy in your everyday life or someone you know is, take the truth of God's word for yourself and share it with others.

Slavery Free & Standing Firm

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The definition of slavery is bondage; severe toil; or drudgery. Substitute each definition for slavery and it reads, "do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery, bondage, severe toil, or drudgery." Instead, stand firm [not soft or yielding when pressed; solid, hard, stiff, or rigid; securely fixed in place; not shaking or trembling; steady: not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable; steadfast or unwavering.] God has called us to a life of freedom, freedom from those things in life that cause us to be held in bondage, toil or drudgery. Sometimes we make the decision to stay put when God has given us a way out of a situation or place that causes us internal or external harm. However, we are not only called to a life of freedom, we are called to stand FIRM in it. We are not to be easily shaken or trembling. This single verse calls us to a lot, that's why we have the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us so we can live out the life he's set before us to live. (2 Timothy 1:14)Free from slavery and standing steadfast and unwavering in the truth of his word.

Constant Love

Romans 8:38-39
And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

If after reading this scripture you don't feel Christ's love for you, you are not fully grasping the measure of his love towards you. NOTHING. Absolutely nothing can separate us from the love that he gives freely to us. If you've failed, if you've tried to run away from him, if you've failed and failed again, he still loves you! That is something to rejoice about. I don't know how many times I've messed up and I turn to him and still feel his love, still feel his assuring voice telling me that he loves me. People in our lives may love us but their love is not perfect, their love fails. God's love NEVER fails, it never changes. It's constant. It's true. Walk through this day and every day knowing that the Father, your Father loves you and nothing you do or don't do can change that fact!

The Unknown

Take time to really read through these lyrics to Britt Nicole's song Walk On The Water.

"Walk On The Water"

You look around
It's staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder

What if I'm overtaken
What if I never make it
What if no one's there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that He won't let you go

[Chorus:]
So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to hold to you

You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes in you
You can walk on the water too

So get out
And let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste
Don't wait
Don't you turn around and miss out
Everything you were made for
I know you're not sure
So you play it safe
Try to run away

If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go

[Bridge:]
(Step Out)
Even when a storm hits
(Step Out)
Even when you're broken
(Step Out)
Even when your heart is telling you, telling you to give up
(Step Out)
When your hope is stolen
(Step Out)
You can't see where you're going
You don't have to be afraid

So what are you waiting for?

Stepping out into the unknown is something that we all have to do at some point in our lives. Whether it be a new job, a new school, a new hometown, learning how to cope with the loss of a loved one, etc. There are countless situations in life that we can be challenged to step out into the unknown. It can be frightening and intimidating, there can be sorrow and disappointment but there can also be joy and encouragement, growth and wisdom. It all depends on our perspective. When we are stepping into unknown places, we are more reliant on God and his strength in our weakness. We are able to trust that he knows best and is going to be there with us through the transition. Proverbs 20:24 The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

 

If you've been trying to understand the path that God has you on or the circumstances that you've been dealt, STOP. God is in control and we can plan what we'd like to happen but ultimately it is in God's hands. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Give & Take

Proverbs 11:25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

It is so important for us to be poured into and also for us to pour out into others. I am so thankful for the many mentors and leaders I have in my life that I can look up to and draw strength, support, encouragement, wisdom and advice from. They also hold me accountable and challenge me to be better. As we are invested in by those we are surrounded by, we are able to then invest into the lives of the younger generation. Both parts are equally important. The scripture in Proverbs doesn't say "The one who blesses others is not abundantly blessed," or "The one who doesn't bless others is abundantly blessed." The blessing goes both ways when people take time for us and we take time for people. Take time to think about those in your life. Are there people that you are drawing from? Are there also people you're investing in? If your answer is no to either or both of these questions then it is time for you to take charge and surround yourself with both kinds of people. Not only will you benefit, others will too. You need wisdom and you have wisdom to give.

Opposing the Opposition

Opposition in your spirit to something God has CALLED you to do is just an attack of the enemy. If the enemy can get us to believe that the very things God has called us to do are too big or not worthy of pursuing, we have become ineffective and stagnant. When we face the greatest opposition is when we need to persevere and push towards the goal more than ever because there is victory on the other side. With God we can always come out victorious in the end, no matter the situation. The best thing we can do when we've made a decision to pursue the thing(s) God has called us to do is to prepare ourselves for the opposition that can be just around the corner:
1. Pray- Ask God to equip you with the tools you need to overcome the battle that is raging on the inside.
2. Read His Word- Find scriptures that speak to your situation and stand on them believing that God is greater than the enemy who would love for you to believe his lies.
3. Frontline Friends- Ask trusted friends and loved ones to join you on the frontlines of the battle. Ask them to join you in prayer and to encourage you to keep pushing towards the goal God has placed on your heart.   

When God speaks, the enemy loves to be right there to detest what he's spoken and to get you to doubt who you are and what you can do. The enemy is so fearful of your potential that he will whisper any lie he can to get you off track and not carry out the plans God has given you to carry out. Stand firm, pray, read God's word, and ask those around you to fight off the enemy's tactics WITH you.