Proverbs 4 - 6.3.24

Scripture

Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

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Observation

King Solomon, writer of the book of Proverbs, is comparing and contrasting wisdom to wickedness in this chapter. He is teaching/speaking in the tone of a father to his children. He talks about the importance of pursuing wisdom and the benefits of it, to the downfall and destruction of those who go down the path of wickedness.

Our wise and foolish acts always begin at the heart level. (That’s why in Matthew 5, Jesus would expose the heart of sin, before the outward act, such as when He talks about a heart of hate against a brother/sister is murder or how a heart of lust is adultery.)

Verse 23 says that we must GUARD our heart for EVERYTHING we do flows from it.

Application

The Word of God exposes our hearts. That’s why it’s important to wash our heart and minds with God’s Word everyday.

We live in a day and age where we have access to so much information on TV and especially on social media. It starts to become confusing and hard to discern between right and wrong; real and fake. It’s hard to know what to let into our minds and hearts and what to guard it against. That’s the beauty of the Bible, God’s Word!

Just like Jesus, it never changes (Heb. 13:8), because He was and IS the Word (John 1). It exposes the motives of our hearts (Heb. 4:12). It lights our path (Psalm 119:105). It helps us to discern between good and evil (Heb. 5:14).

Sometimes, we need to say “No” to the crowd or to what’s popular or what our feelings say, (since our heart is deceitful-Jer. 17:9) and allow God’s Word to guide us.

What are we exposing our hearts to that we must eliminate? Have we meditated and washed our minds and hearts with His Word today?

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” -1 Peter 1:24-25

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help me to guard my heart by keeping complete focus on You and what Your Word says. Thank You that You are the God of order and peace and not confusion or chaos (1 Cor. 14:33). When I begin to lose my way, I pray for discipline to run to You first through prayer and Your Word and to apply what You tell me to do. Make my heart’s desires Yours alone. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Peter 1 - 5.31.24

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of lifehanded down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Observation:

I love how the Old Testament Scriptures have been complementing what we are reading in the New Testament. Leviticus 1 talks about how the animal offered must be without spot or blemish. Something that stuck out to me is that the person whose sin the offering was for had to kill the animal. I thought the priest did all that. 1 Peter 1:19 says we are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ a lamb without blemish or defect. 

We are called to live holy as He is holy. 

What a perfect reason to be motivated to do so, Christ paid for us with His blood. 

Application:

I want to be obedient as verse 14 says and not conform to the world’s ways. I have an incredible hope and reason for faith. Jesus Christ died for me. And, that’s not the end of the story He rose from the dead and is glorified. To be holy I need to keep myself alert, ready for action. Many translations use the latter phrase instead of be sober. I looked at several versions. One pointed out that sober means you are ready to move without distraction. 

Prayer:

Lord, as you move in my life may I never forget the price you paid for me. My sin is the need for your sacrifice. May I be alert ready to share this truth with others. Keep me moving in all you’ve called me to. May I give you the glory in all I do. Thank you for your incredible gift.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

James - 05.30.24

SCRIPTURE -James 5:8 AMP

“You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts 

[keep them energized and firmly committed to God], 

because the coming of the Lord is near.”

OBSERVATION 

The Book of James reads like a current

“How to Put Your Faith in Christ— into Action” Lesson Plan. 

It’s clear, concise and practical. We are challenged through each verse—

that the Faith we claim to have must be demonstrated—

in how we live our lives and respond in real time 

to situations at work, home, in our neighborhood, at church, or out doing life.

Knowing God is not enough-

Real Faith-is the Application of God’s Truth-expressed in our lives.

APPLICATION 

Can You SEE my Faith?

When we face trials or persecution it is easy to lose our patience with the circumstances or people involved. I have been tested in this area recently and I am finding out first hand-God has surely enabled me with everything I need to “Be Patient”. That certainly does not mean that it is easy. I’m sorry to say I haven’t reached the fullness of “Joy IN Trials yet! I fear I might continue to face trials as I told God I wanted to get to the point that I could have Joy IN trials. 

 What was I thinking?

With pitch perfect clarity, James reminds us through the Power of the Holy Spirit we are supernaturally enabled as HE supplies us with everything we need to live our life pleasing to HIM.

 Be Patient-

Makrothumeo-is a Command in the aorist imperative, which means a decisive action to DO THIS NOW, AT ONCE, COMPLETE IT.

Strengthen your hearts-

sterizo-  is also an aorist imperative command which stands for supporting something so that it is inwardly fixed and immovable. It has the connotation of weakening our own self-confidence to place our iron-clad confidence in Jesus Christ.

Whenever we face trials of many kinds-the ONLY way we can “Be Patient” and our “Hearts Strengthened” is to remember that it is the Work of the Holy Spirit as we Turn to Him for our Full reliance—and Take Courage knowing that—The Day of HIS Coming is Drawing Near-when we will SEE Him Face-to-Face!

God put HIS Holy Spirit IN us—as a Guarantee of what’s to Come AND an enablement to Love His Commands and desire to obey them.

“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”  (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV)

““For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, says the Lord: I will imprint My laws upon their minds 

[even upon their innermost thoughts and understanding], 

And engrave them upon their hearts [effecting their regeneration]. 

And I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

(Hebrews 8:10 AMP)

“[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while 

effectually at work in you 

[energizing and creating in you the power and desire], 

both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

(Philippians 2:13 AMPC)

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Thank YOU for Your Goodness Beyond measure. Even in trials, even when I am not faithful and grumble, YOU are ALWAYS Faithful and Loving, Full of Grace and Mercy.

Help me Lord Jesus to be willingly and fully submitted to YOU in ALL my ways that I may Glorify YOU in ALL my circumstances. When the darkness closes in-Still I will say-Blessed be The LORD-for every blessing You Pour Out-I’ll Turn it back to Praise.

May I be mindful of the JOY that is always mine because Heaven is mine. And yesterday Larry and I began counting our blessings and we have so many! You are SO generous to us! Lead us Lord, in Unity, in the way we should go. Fill me fresh with Yoir Spirit for any opportunities You provide for ministry today.

And Help me to Hear Your voice and have Your eyes for the One.

In Jesus Name. amen.

Tina L Kudelka