Proverbs_6

ScriptureProverbs 6:6Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Observation - What does it say?Solomon encourages his listeners to observe the ants’ hard working and disciplined behavior and to learn wisdom from it. Understanding - What does it mean?Last summer I had an ant problem. They had been coming in around the sun window by the sink in our kitchen. At first I tried killing them with bleach cleaner, but new ones would come back after it dried. Katie got on Pinterest and looked up solutions. She tried baking soda and powdered sugar which I guess is like poison. Didn't work too well. She tried peppermint essential oil. It only worked a short time and the ants would be back as soon as it dried and the smell dissipated. Then I thought, I'll just figure out where they're coming in and block it off. They were coming in behind the window sill so I got my caulking gun from the garage and caulked it. No more ants... At least for a few hours. All of a sudden they were everywhere again, all over the wall and countertop. They were coming from the other side of the sill where it meets the drywall. So I caulked there. No more ants... At least for a few more hours. Then I found them coming in a little crack in the window. I caulked about 5 different spots and after each one, within a few hours, they just kept finding another way in. I ended up just leaving the caulking gun on the window sill and had come to expect them to find another way in. We had been playing this game almost a week, when finally, after what I hoped would be the last caulking job I saw them coming in from a different place. I exclaimed, "Those little fools!" And in my anger, started squishing them with my finger. Any I could see. In that moment of irrational rage I heard loud and clear in my mind: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!Woah. Those "little fools" are actually wise. Lol What wisdom can I learn from ants, I thought? Well, they are incredibly persistent. They won't give up. They aren't easily deterred. They keep at it and have no plan B. Just plan A: get in Levi's house and drive him crazy. How big can an ant brain possibly be? I don't know that they have the capacity to think hard about what to do. They know what to do and do it. No excuses. They see no roadblocks, only obstacles they will overcome.  Life ApplicationIf I'm going to apply that wisdom to my life, there can be no, "God will work it out" attitude while I sit here passively." There can be no, "I'm just not feeling very motivated." "I'm too busy." "I'm tired." "God sees all the obstacles the enemy is placing in my way. He'll understand why I'm not going to try hard anymore."What areas have I been a sluggard? Where have I lacked persistence? Discipline? Where have I been making excuses instead of just knowing what's right and doing it?God, forgive me for the ways I’ve lacked discipline and persistence. Please help us to be a people that passionately pursues you and your mission, who don't shrink back and get destroyed by our circumstances, but who believe and overcome. Refuel us where we've been drained by hurt and discouragement and fan the flame of passion within us to know you and make you known. Amen.

 

-Levi Thompson

Matthew___28

Scripture

Matthew 28:16-17 NLT

“Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!”

Observation-What does it say?

As both Marys went to visit Jesus’ tomb, they were greeted by a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the huge stone that lay in front of the door of the tomb, and showed both Marys that the place where Jesus’ body laid, was now empty! Just like Jesus told them...He would rise again! Jesus is alive! Now the angel told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus is alive, and to tell them to head to Galilee, because it is there that they will see him.

So when the disciples arrived in Galilee, they went to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. It was there that they saw him and worshipped him, yet some of them still doubted.

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

Transformation does not happen quickly.

Even after all Jesus has done for them, all He has told them, all that they have seen with their own eyes, they still doubted?! We would like to think that the Resurrection alone would immediately transform these timid disciples into heroes of faith. But this particular verse is a great reminder that transformation does not happen overnight. Even after Jesus’ disciples saw him alive and heard him speak, they still doubted.

Now just when I was going to get down on Jesus’ disciples, I took a look at my own life. I looked back at all that I learned, all that Jesus has done in my life, and all that He has got me through. Yet when one of life’s roadblocks comes my way, what do I do? I find myself anxious, I begin to doubt God’s promises for me. Why?! I believe it’s a growing and maturing process we as Christ Followers all go through. Our lives as Christ Followers is a daily spiritual walk. A walk in which we should all be striving to grow and mature in Christ daily. I believe the “churchy word” for it is sanctification. It is our lifelong process as God’s children to become more like Christ each and every day. And it doesn’t stop either! It is something we all should be doing till the Lord calls us home.

Life Application

I must strive to be a better disciple each and every day, month, and year!

Too often we come across people who say they have been Christians for years and years. Yet they seem to be struggling with the same issues over and over. They tell you that they’ve been a Christian for 10 years, but it seems they’ve been repeating the same grade year after year with no growth. Or they can quote you scripture and know the Bible inside-out. Yet their lives contradict what they should already know. They have the information, but not the transformation in their lives. As Christ Followers we should be all about the transformation. We should be allowing the Holy Spirit to mold us and change us to be more like Jesus each day.

-Moses Gaddi

Proverbs_4

Happy Thanksgiving church family!

Scripture

Proverbs 4:5-7

“Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.”

Observation-What does it say?

In this chapter Solomon gives some fatherly advice and reminds those who are willing to listen  the importance of gaining wisdom in life. He expresses that wisdom is a life saver. That those who obtain it, will live a righteous life, and glory and honor will be delivered to them. Solomon has seen it all and lived through a lot. Solomon now wants to share the wisdom he was able to obtain through his life experiences, and the wisdom he received from following God.

Understanding-What does it mean?

No one is born with wisdom; God is the One who provides it.

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,” 1 Corinthians 1:25a NIV

The key to getting wisdom is understanding that no one has it to start with. Ultimately it is God who provides us with wisdom. It also means that anyone can acquire wisdom...if you decide to pursue it.  Wisdom also is not something we achieve through one choice we make in life. It is a journey, a series of many steps in life, in which we receive the truth of God's Word, and apply them into our lives each and every day. Jesus often spoke of people who had ears but did not listen. The wise will be the ones who choose to listen wholeheartedly to God's Word, both with their hearts and minds.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”-James 1:22 NLT

Life Application

Ultimate wisdom is within the grasp of our hands. So reach out and obtain it through reading God's Word.

Life is hard enough as it is. So why try to figure it out all on our own?! Why not take advantage of life's "instruction manual"?..The Holy Bible! Whether it is taking the advice from someone who was granted wisdom from God, like Solomon, or following the One who overcame everything the world tried to throw His way, Jesus. The Bible is the key to have access to living a wiser life...a life that will grant you wisdom. Will you choose to follow it?

Thank You God for Your Word and the wisdom it brings. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that speaks to me through it. Thank You Lord for always having my best interest in mind. May the wisdom You grant me allow me to make the right choices today, and may I share that wisdom to those around me. In Your name Jesus, Amen 

-Moses Gaddi