Proverbs 31: 18
... Her lamp does not go out at night.
Most of this chapter of Proverbs lays out all the reasons why a "virtuous woman" is a good wife. This one detail is what I'd like to focus on right now.
It says that, her lamp does not go out at night. I don't think this means that she works all night after working all day. Especially because it also says that, she rises also while it is still night (v. 15), she gets up before the sun rises. She needed to sleep, or she wouldn't have the energy and stamina to do all that she does.
It was the custom for compassionate people to welcome strangers into their homes as they traveled through the towns. If a traveler happened into their town at night needing a place to sleep, it could be dangerous to sleep in the street, so they would look for a house with a light in the window. This woman made sure that the light in her window had enough oil to stay lit all night, to welcome any traveler who needed lodging. This showed her compassion on strangers. She also is concerned for the poor and needy (v. 20).
May I be one who can display the qualities of a "virtuous woman" in my living every day, doing what I do, sharing with whoever needs what I have to give.
Father, open my eyes to see the needs around me, that You have enabled me to meet, on behalf of any whose path crosses mine.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Open Your Mouth
Proverbs 31: 8-9
Open your mouth for the dumb [those who cannot speak for themselves], for the rights of all the unfortunate [all the unlucky ones who find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time]. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy [those who have no standing].
I suppose there have been those in every age who have no standing before the authorities who rule over them, and have no voice to demand justice in the face of those who do not recognize their humanity.
In today's world, I would think of all the babies who haven't been born yet, but are judged "inconvenient" in some way, and so are robbed of their humanity and their right to live the life they've begun. People talk about "choice," and we do have a choice over what we do in our lives. But my rights end where your rights begin, and a mother's right of choice ends with the beginning of another person who depends on her.
This moral territory has been hijacked into the political realm, and those who recognize the humanity of our next generation are being accused of not having compassion for the mother. But it's our enemy, Satan, who comes to kill, steal, and destroy, and he hates us because God loves us.
So let us use our voices to speak out for those who have no voice or standing. Let us recognize what God's commands based on Love demand of us in all the political and moral and spiritual issues we face in our societies in our own day, today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 19, 2018
Prone To Wander
I Kings 11: 1-9
This tells us that Solomon, in his old age, loved and married women from all the Nations they were to have destroyed in taking their territory, Nations God had told them to not to associate with.
And these women turned Solomon's heart away from fully following the Lord. He built these wives shrines and altars to their detestable gods Chemosh and Molech and Ashtoreth, these demon-backed deities who demanded disgusting things of their worshipers. He did this even though God had appeared to him twice (v. 9).
Vs. 11-13
So God told Solomon that He would tear Israel from him, but not in his days, because of his father David, but from his son, the next king, Rehoboam.
Ch. 12
Then Rehoboam was crowned king, and he answered the people harshly, so he lost the majority of the kingdom.
But Jereboam, who became king over the Northern Kingdom, Israel, was fearful that if the people went to Jerusalem three times a year, that they would return to David's dynasty and he would lose the kingdom (vs. 26-27).
Even though God had told Jereboam that He would make his dynasty as great as He will make David's if he followed the Lord (11:38), his faith in God failed him, and he set up golden calves for the people to worship instead of the Lord (v. 28).
So his dynasty ended, and Israel had a whole litany of different kings, and they all fell into this idolatry. The Northern Kingdom of Israel never did have a "good" king.
Even the Southern Kingdom of Judah had very few kings who worshiped the Lord with their whole heart.
It is so hard for human beings to remain faithful, we are "prone to wander," even when God reveals Himself to us in so many ways.
So God has now given us His own Spirit to live inside our human spirits, so He is always there to strengthen us and remind us of who we are in Christ. Even then, some have wandered away; but God won't let them wander for long, He will draw them back into fellowship with Him again.
O my Father, thank You for Your Spirit. Thank You that You always do everything to guarantee our permanence in Your Family. Thank You that You don't depend on us for anything concerning our relationship with You, and our future with You. You have done everything we need: to draw us, to let us know that Your Son paid the eternal debt we owe for our sin, so that we could be washed white as snow in Your sight; and to lead us and guide us in obeying all Your Law of Love; then grant us such a wonderful future, which is certain, because it's already past to You.
Jesus came to be with us where we are, so that He could fit us to be able to be with Him where He lives. Where He lives with You, Father. And Heaven will come down to the New Earth, and we will all live together as one, big, happy Family forever! And who can say what wonders and experiences and purposes and joys await us there!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This tells us that Solomon, in his old age, loved and married women from all the Nations they were to have destroyed in taking their territory, Nations God had told them to not to associate with.
And these women turned Solomon's heart away from fully following the Lord. He built these wives shrines and altars to their detestable gods Chemosh and Molech and Ashtoreth, these demon-backed deities who demanded disgusting things of their worshipers. He did this even though God had appeared to him twice (v. 9).
Vs. 11-13
So God told Solomon that He would tear Israel from him, but not in his days, because of his father David, but from his son, the next king, Rehoboam.
Ch. 12
Then Rehoboam was crowned king, and he answered the people harshly, so he lost the majority of the kingdom.
But Jereboam, who became king over the Northern Kingdom, Israel, was fearful that if the people went to Jerusalem three times a year, that they would return to David's dynasty and he would lose the kingdom (vs. 26-27).
Even though God had told Jereboam that He would make his dynasty as great as He will make David's if he followed the Lord (11:38), his faith in God failed him, and he set up golden calves for the people to worship instead of the Lord (v. 28).
So his dynasty ended, and Israel had a whole litany of different kings, and they all fell into this idolatry. The Northern Kingdom of Israel never did have a "good" king.
Even the Southern Kingdom of Judah had very few kings who worshiped the Lord with their whole heart.
It is so hard for human beings to remain faithful, we are "prone to wander," even when God reveals Himself to us in so many ways.
So God has now given us His own Spirit to live inside our human spirits, so He is always there to strengthen us and remind us of who we are in Christ. Even then, some have wandered away; but God won't let them wander for long, He will draw them back into fellowship with Him again.
O my Father, thank You for Your Spirit. Thank You that You always do everything to guarantee our permanence in Your Family. Thank You that You don't depend on us for anything concerning our relationship with You, and our future with You. You have done everything we need: to draw us, to let us know that Your Son paid the eternal debt we owe for our sin, so that we could be washed white as snow in Your sight; and to lead us and guide us in obeying all Your Law of Love; then grant us such a wonderful future, which is certain, because it's already past to You.
Jesus came to be with us where we are, so that He could fit us to be able to be with Him where He lives. Where He lives with You, Father. And Heaven will come down to the New Earth, and we will all live together as one, big, happy Family forever! And who can say what wonders and experiences and purposes and joys await us there!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 18, 2018
God And Wisdom
Proverbs 3 & 4
Chapter 3:
Trust and honor God,
Consider the values of Wisdom,
Be kind and generous with others.
3:10 - Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats overflow with new wine.
Trust God enough to give Him the first, even if you don't know if there'll be any more.
Chapter 4:
Acquire wisdom,
Avoid bad company,
Watch yourself --
your heart (thoughts and attitudes),
your mouth (words)
your eyes (what you focus on), and
your feet (where you go, what you do).
4:20-23 - My son, pay attention to what I say; Listen closely to My words.
Do not let them out of your sight, Keep them within your heart;
For they are life to those who find them And health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, For it is the wellspring of life.
We are to focus on what our Father God tells us and pay atention to His very Words; we are to think about them continually, and memorize them. It is by God's Word (His Breath) that we have life, that gives good health to our bodies and minds and spirits. Most of all, we are to guard [our] heart, put a guard on our attitudes and thinking processes, for that is where everything else in our life comes from, it all starts in our minds.
When we read His Word, study it, think about how it all works together, how God designed this Earth so that we could form the World of our societies on it, and how, when we're "in tune" with how He designed things to run, then we will experience the benefits He built into it.
Whenever the Nation Israel obeyed God and followed His Laws, then they experienced prosperity. But when all the wealth they created turned their thought processes to thinking that they did it all themselves, then things started to go sour until they lost their prosperity and were enslaved to other Nations. We saw this play out over and over in the Book of Judges.
God has told us all these stories so we can learn from them. When they recognized God as Lord over them, and obeyed His rules, then things went well for them. But when they forgot God, and/or disobeyed His commandments, giving their alegiance to other gods (anything else other than God), that's when things started to fall apart.
When we align ourselves to His ways, and obey the principles He laid down, then we will also experience the prosperity that comes from this Earth. I've seen that even people who don't recognize God, but do follow His ways, then even they, in obeying His Laws, will find that benefit. But even if they prosper so much to gain everything this World offers, in the few days of their life in this Realm, but never realize that God sent His Son for them; then what will they profit, in losing out for the forever of eternity?
How much better it is to know God, to reverence and respect His authority over us, and learn and follow His guidelines. Then we will find that "rose garden" of prosperity in our lives (remember that roses have thorns, too), and also have all the spiritual and actual gifts He gives to His children, to reign with Him forever!
God has already met all of our needs: physical, emotional, relational, financial, spiritual, every need. We only need Him. It's simple, but not easy. Only He can accomplish it, in His power and in His time. We can't do anything of lasting value of ourselves, only in Him can we accomplish our purposes in life.
And God will receive all the credit, all the honor, all the glory, for He has done it all, He has accomplished all His will, all His purposes are fulfilled, and everything redounded into His Kingdom, to reign Supreme forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Chapter 3:
Trust and honor God,
Consider the values of Wisdom,
Be kind and generous with others.
3:10 - Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats overflow with new wine.
Trust God enough to give Him the first, even if you don't know if there'll be any more.
Chapter 4:
Acquire wisdom,
Avoid bad company,
Watch yourself --
your heart (thoughts and attitudes),
your mouth (words)
your eyes (what you focus on), and
your feet (where you go, what you do).
4:20-23 - My son, pay attention to what I say; Listen closely to My words.
Do not let them out of your sight, Keep them within your heart;
For they are life to those who find them And health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart, For it is the wellspring of life.
We are to focus on what our Father God tells us and pay atention to His very Words; we are to think about them continually, and memorize them. It is by God's Word (His Breath) that we have life, that gives good health to our bodies and minds and spirits. Most of all, we are to guard [our] heart, put a guard on our attitudes and thinking processes, for that is where everything else in our life comes from, it all starts in our minds.
When we read His Word, study it, think about how it all works together, how God designed this Earth so that we could form the World of our societies on it, and how, when we're "in tune" with how He designed things to run, then we will experience the benefits He built into it.
Whenever the Nation Israel obeyed God and followed His Laws, then they experienced prosperity. But when all the wealth they created turned their thought processes to thinking that they did it all themselves, then things started to go sour until they lost their prosperity and were enslaved to other Nations. We saw this play out over and over in the Book of Judges.
God has told us all these stories so we can learn from them. When they recognized God as Lord over them, and obeyed His rules, then things went well for them. But when they forgot God, and/or disobeyed His commandments, giving their alegiance to other gods (anything else other than God), that's when things started to fall apart.
When we align ourselves to His ways, and obey the principles He laid down, then we will also experience the prosperity that comes from this Earth. I've seen that even people who don't recognize God, but do follow His ways, then even they, in obeying His Laws, will find that benefit. But even if they prosper so much to gain everything this World offers, in the few days of their life in this Realm, but never realize that God sent His Son for them; then what will they profit, in losing out for the forever of eternity?
How much better it is to know God, to reverence and respect His authority over us, and learn and follow His guidelines. Then we will find that "rose garden" of prosperity in our lives (remember that roses have thorns, too), and also have all the spiritual and actual gifts He gives to His children, to reign with Him forever!
God has already met all of our needs: physical, emotional, relational, financial, spiritual, every need. We only need Him. It's simple, but not easy. Only He can accomplish it, in His power and in His time. We can't do anything of lasting value of ourselves, only in Him can we accomplish our purposes in life.
And God will receive all the credit, all the honor, all the glory, for He has done it all, He has accomplished all His will, all His purposes are fulfilled, and everything redounded into His Kingdom, to reign Supreme forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Maleable In His Hand
Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to Man, but the anwer of the tongue is from the Lord.
I am reminded of when my daughter had recently given birth to her second daughter, just a year after her first, and she told me that she had her older child in daycare even though she was not working.
I was driving to her house in a very negative frame of mind, critical of her putting her tiny toddler into daycare at such an impressionable age when she was home all day. So I prayed and asked the Lord to be with my mouth to not speak harshly to her.
When I got there, as we were conversing, I heard myself saying, "It's good that you're able to put {your older daughter} in daycare so that you can have one-on-one bonding with {your new baby}." I surprised myself with that sentiment. Obviously my Father took control of my words that day!
God really does answer our prayers in practical ways when we ask and expect Him to. And since He is concerned for even small things like this, then I know I can trust Him to answer my bigger and even impossible requests.
O my Father, thank You so much that You are God! You have all power to do everything You decide to do, no matter what it would take. You made everything that exists with just a Word! We are Your imagination--whatever you think about is our reality.
You can change my words to reflect a different heart attitude, and by that my heart attitude can be changed to what You had my words express. I don't know how You did that, but I am maleable in Your hand, my Lord; shape me, mold me, do with me whatever You choose, to make me into Your masterpiece.
And You will receive all the credit, all the honor, all the glory for everything You are doing to me, and in me, and through me to others. And I will praise Your Name forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The plans of the heart belong to Man, but the anwer of the tongue is from the Lord.
I am reminded of when my daughter had recently given birth to her second daughter, just a year after her first, and she told me that she had her older child in daycare even though she was not working.
I was driving to her house in a very negative frame of mind, critical of her putting her tiny toddler into daycare at such an impressionable age when she was home all day. So I prayed and asked the Lord to be with my mouth to not speak harshly to her.
When I got there, as we were conversing, I heard myself saying, "It's good that you're able to put {your older daughter} in daycare so that you can have one-on-one bonding with {your new baby}." I surprised myself with that sentiment. Obviously my Father took control of my words that day!
God really does answer our prayers in practical ways when we ask and expect Him to. And since He is concerned for even small things like this, then I know I can trust Him to answer my bigger and even impossible requests.
O my Father, thank You so much that You are God! You have all power to do everything You decide to do, no matter what it would take. You made everything that exists with just a Word! We are Your imagination--whatever you think about is our reality.
You can change my words to reflect a different heart attitude, and by that my heart attitude can be changed to what You had my words express. I don't know how You did that, but I am maleable in Your hand, my Lord; shape me, mold me, do with me whatever You choose, to make me into Your masterpiece.
And You will receive all the credit, all the honor, all the glory for everything You are doing to me, and in me, and through me to others. And I will praise Your Name forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 16, 2018
So That All The Peoples
I Kings 8: 41-43, 60
Solomon's dedication prayer for the First Temple:
Concerning the foreigner who, comes and prays toward this House, to answer his prayer, in order that all the peoples of the Earth may know Thy Name, to fear Thee, as do Thy people Israel ...
So that all the peoples of the Earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else.
God's intent in choosing one Nation out of the Nations of the World to give them His Law and build Him a Temple was to draw all the Nations, all the peoples of the Earth to recognize Him as our Lord God, alone over the whole of Creation.
His purpose has always been to call to Himself people from every tribe, every family, every Nation, every language, so that there would eventually be only one flock with one Shepherd (John 10:16).
O my Father, Thank You for telling us all the stories of Your people's lives. Thank You that You have shown us both their good decisions and the beneficial results; and the foolish, disobedient choices they made, and the consequences of them, too. So we could learn how to do well, taking their experiences as our own, and realizing the outcomes in our own lives.
Father, help me to follow Your ways. Show me how to take to heart all of these ancient peoples' lives, and to learn from their mistakes and good choices. Grant me discernment to understand the good and evil, the right and the wrong. Give me Your words to tell and explain to others the practical lessons You are teaching me.
And use these words to draw many to Yourself, Lord Jesus, through Your obedience to Your Father and our Father, to be that Sacrifice offered once for all, and individually for each of us for Salvation.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Solomon's dedication prayer for the First Temple:
Concerning the foreigner who, comes and prays toward this House, to answer his prayer, in order that all the peoples of the Earth may know Thy Name, to fear Thee, as do Thy people Israel ...
So that all the peoples of the Earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no one else.
God's intent in choosing one Nation out of the Nations of the World to give them His Law and build Him a Temple was to draw all the Nations, all the peoples of the Earth to recognize Him as our Lord God, alone over the whole of Creation.
His purpose has always been to call to Himself people from every tribe, every family, every Nation, every language, so that there would eventually be only one flock with one Shepherd (John 10:16).
O my Father, Thank You for telling us all the stories of Your people's lives. Thank You that You have shown us both their good decisions and the beneficial results; and the foolish, disobedient choices they made, and the consequences of them, too. So we could learn how to do well, taking their experiences as our own, and realizing the outcomes in our own lives.
Father, help me to follow Your ways. Show me how to take to heart all of these ancient peoples' lives, and to learn from their mistakes and good choices. Grant me discernment to understand the good and evil, the right and the wrong. Give me Your words to tell and explain to others the practical lessons You are teaching me.
And use these words to draw many to Yourself, Lord Jesus, through Your obedience to Your Father and our Father, to be that Sacrifice offered once for all, and individually for each of us for Salvation.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 15, 2018
To Discern
I Kings 3: 3, 5 & 9
God is so generous! He offered Solomon a blank check: Ask what you wish me to give you (v. 5).
Since Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David (v. 3), he was concerned for his being able to govern this great people. So he asked for an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil (v. 9).
This pleased God, that his focus was on the people, rather than on himself and his own welfare. So God gave him unrivaled wisdom, and it resulted in great riches and honor and peace.
O my Father, I realize that financial wealth, an upstanding reputation and popularity, and heartfelt peace and happiness all are results, consequences of knowing You and following Your ways: how You determined this World to operate and function. When we listen to You and obey Your rules and regulations, realizing that this is how we love one another, then Your blessings of this World will flow into our lives.
And when we love You, in response to how You have loved us, then You will draw us to Yourself, teaching us Who You are, to the extent of our brain power to understand. And when we continue to seek You, then You extend and expand our capacity to know You in that personal, passionate, and intimate way You love us.
Father, thank You for showing us David's and Solomon's lives in order to teach us how they followed You, and the results that come of following Your ways. And also the consequences of not following Your laws, transgressing Your Law.
Help me, Father, to always consider You and Your ways, and Your love for me, in every decision, every choice I make every moment of every day. Help me to "practice the presence of God," as Brother Andrew learned.
And keep me in Your precious Hand, wrapped in Your warm embrace, Daddy, until You send Your Son, my Lord Jesus, to return to this broken World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
God is so generous! He offered Solomon a blank check: Ask what you wish me to give you (v. 5).
Since Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David (v. 3), he was concerned for his being able to govern this great people. So he asked for an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil (v. 9).
This pleased God, that his focus was on the people, rather than on himself and his own welfare. So God gave him unrivaled wisdom, and it resulted in great riches and honor and peace.
O my Father, I realize that financial wealth, an upstanding reputation and popularity, and heartfelt peace and happiness all are results, consequences of knowing You and following Your ways: how You determined this World to operate and function. When we listen to You and obey Your rules and regulations, realizing that this is how we love one another, then Your blessings of this World will flow into our lives.
And when we love You, in response to how You have loved us, then You will draw us to Yourself, teaching us Who You are, to the extent of our brain power to understand. And when we continue to seek You, then You extend and expand our capacity to know You in that personal, passionate, and intimate way You love us.
Father, thank You for showing us David's and Solomon's lives in order to teach us how they followed You, and the results that come of following Your ways. And also the consequences of not following Your laws, transgressing Your Law.
Help me, Father, to always consider You and Your ways, and Your love for me, in every decision, every choice I make every moment of every day. Help me to "practice the presence of God," as Brother Andrew learned.
And keep me in Your precious Hand, wrapped in Your warm embrace, Daddy, until You send Your Son, my Lord Jesus, to return to this broken World.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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