A Word to the Wise

 

As humans, our five senses come in very handy. Too often, however, these same senses are a detriment to us. We spend too much time depending on our natural abilities, which hinder us from trusting totally in God. Too often, we are too quick to speak and to express anger; yet too slow to listen (James 1:19). Silence, in the deepest sense, is imperative for hearing the voice of God. We empty our self of our self – our goals, will and desires - and we humbly wait on God.

Silence is the first step in seeking God’s will for our day one moment at a time. We perform our required duties for the day; but as we do, we do not make our own plans. We wait on God to reveal His direction by His Spirit. The more silent we are, the more we are also able to really hear the deep concerns of our Lord, our friends and our family. We listen intently rather than with only one ear. We show more compassion and patience, because we take the time to hear what they are saying.

As we earnestly enter our quiet place with the Lord, we sit at His feet and learn from Him, as Mary did (Luke 10:39); we enjoy His presence as the little children did (Matthew 19:14); and we receive His anointing as the apostles did (Mark 6:7). We grow more silent in our prayer time, so that we can enjoy God’s companionable silence. Then, we are in position to better hear His direction and instruction, and to follow the leading of His Spirit during each moment of our day.

God’s Kingdom is within us. As we follow His truth and not our own, we walk in His Kingdom Truth. The wise listen to counsel from God’s Word, but a fool despises God’s truth and does what is right in his/her own eyes (Proverbs 12:15). God will never lead us contrary to His Word; so you may not get a personal word from God not to do something, but if it is in His Word, that is all the direction you need. Otherwise, you miss out on God’s best for your life.

Our daily choices influence our spirituality (Proverbs 21:2). If we pursue carnality in the flesh, in the world and through satanic venues, then our spirit weakens and we reap the results in our body, mind and emotions as well (Proverbs 14:12). If we follow the Spirit’s direction for each moment of our day, our spirit strengthens, which also affects our body, mind and emotions (Proverbs 12:14). The choice is ours to live in God’s wisdom or as a fool.

Prayer:

Father God, You designed life so that we can find satisfaction through the fruit of our words, and You allow the consequences of our deeds to return to us (Proverbs 12:4). That means both our kind words and loving deeds, but also our angry words and our cruel deeds. We reap what we sow (Proverbs 16:2). Remind us to live in love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, meekness, self-control and faith so that we will reap the fruit of Your Spirit.

Thought for the Day:

Listen to Godly advice and accept a rebuke from a brother, and in the end you will reap wisdom and truth. – Proverbs 19:20

 

 

Does God Hate?

 

It is amazing to see that God feels the same emotions that He gave to human beings. He experiences all of them from joy to love, and even hate. God is very concerned about His people walking in the ungodly ways of the world. He hates the sin of the world, because it is unrighteous and it ruins our health spiritual, physical and in our mind, will and emotions (Leviticus 20:23). He knows that worshipping any other God will ultimately disappoint us; therefore He abhors it when we put any person, place, activity or thing ahead of Him in our heart (Leviticus 26:30).

When anyone provokes God’s children to sin, God hates them (Deuteronomy 32:19). He says it is better for a millstone to be around their neck (Luke 17:2). God abhors the wicked that boast of their sin and encourage the covetous, as well as the wicked that love violence and all workers of iniquity. He considers them fools. They will not be able to stand in His sight (Psalm 10:3, 11:5, 5:5). He especially hates those who deceive or murder the innocent (Psalm 5:6).

Israel vexed the Lord so often that it was only His promise to Abraham that kept Him from destroying the whole nation more than once (Psalm 78:59). They ignited His anger over and over; so much so that He acually abhorred His own inheritance (Pslam 106:40). He took away His tabernacle, destroyed the places of the assembly and caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Israel, because He despised their kings and priests (Lamentations 2:6). God drove Israel out of His house due to their wickedness, and He hated their princes (Hosea 9:15).

God has even been known to hate individual people. It seems unreasonable for Him to do that; but He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows the hearts of mankind (Isaiah 46:10; Jeremiah 17:10). Esau was one of those God hated (Romans 9:13). Esau’s god was his belly. He sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34). So God destroyed Esau’s heritage (Malachi 1:3).

God also destroys those who plot against His Saints. He puts them to shame because He despises them (Psalm 53:5). He warns against prostitues, because He abohors those who fall under their spell (Proverbs 22:14). There are seven things, which God really despises: the proud, liars, murders of innocent people, a heart that plans wicked scemes, mischief makers, a false witness and those who sow discord in His Body (Proverbs 6:16-19). That just about covers the spectrum of sin.

Prayer:

Father God, You despise anything and anyone that will harm Your beloved Saints. You are jealous over us and You want to keep us and protect us from all harm (Exodus 20:5). Sin is the most harmful habit anyone can embrace. Therefore, You abhor whatever will lead us into temptation. We thank You for sending Your only begotten Son to pay the penalty of our sin, and to set us free from Satan’s clutches, the flesh and the world (Romans 5:6-10).

Thought for the Day:

God forgives every sinner who repents. – John 3:16