November 16, 2013

The art of listening.

Wisdom of Sirach 5:10-11 LXX

Be established in your understanding
And let your word be consistent.
Be quick to listen
And give your answer with patience.

Personal Challenge...

What can be added to this admonition of wisdom? Nothing except a plea to our Lord to use His Holy Spirit in our lives to follow this advice. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

November 15, 2013

Humility through greatness.

Wisdom of Sirach 3:18-19 LXX

The greater you are, the more humble you must be,
And you will find grace before the Lord;
Because great is the power of the Lord,
And He is honored by the humble.

Personal Challenge...

Once again the laws that govern God's kingdom conflict with the law's of our culture. As we become greater in this world, whether it be through financial or material gain, or promotions at work, or recognition in our church or communities, the tendency is to become puffed up and expectant of respect. Our society drives this. But in God's economy the expectation is that the more we are elevated in this world the more humble we must become for His glory and His kingdom. Our humility is not for those around us as much as it is for Him. As we honor Him with our humility we also become an encouragement and a beacon of His love and grace to those around us.

November 14, 2013

Patience...

Wisdom of Sirach 1:20-21 LXX

A patient man will hold fast until the proper time,
Then afterwards gladness shall burst forth for him.
He shall conceal his words until the proper time,
And the lips of many will tell of his understanding.

Personal Challenge...

What a wonderful book filled with pearls of wisdom. It is a shame that this book is not included in the Western Bible. Patience not only means waiting for something that we want or desire, but it more importantly means waiting for the proper time, whether that means speaking into a situation or getting involved. Through patience we can receive gladness. Through waiting patiently before we open our mouths we will be seen as wise and full of understanding. This is so contrary to the modern way of thinking, which is to always be engaged in the conversation and trying to control it. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

November 13, 2013

The pursuit of peace and health in our lives...

Wisdom of Sirach 1:16 LXX

The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom,
Making peace and soundness of health to flourish.

Encouraging Words...

Isn't a peaceful and healthy life one of the things that we all pursue, or at least desire? If we pursue our Lord He promises to give us true peace and health. Even though our fallen bodies and the fallen world that we live in may be impacted by disease and sickness, the health or our soul can flourish in our pursuit of Him. Glory be to God!

November 12, 2013

We live under the power of the Lord.

Wisdom of Sirach 1:10-11 LXX

The fear of the Lord will cheer the heart
And will give gladness, joy, and long life.
For those who fear the Lord, it shall be well to the utmost,
And on the day of his death, he will be blessed.

Encouraging Words...

The fear, or deep respect and awe, of the Lord is an investment in both the present and the future. Through our faith, our hope, we choose to love the Lord above and beyond all, and through this love, this fear, our hearts are cheered and full of gladness, and joy. Even in times of difficulty we can walk with our heads up and our lives filled with godly joy because of who our God is and what He has done in our lives. Living this way not only guides us through the jungle of life, but also goes before us and with us into eternity even after we depart from this physical body.

November 11, 2013

We are in His presence at all times.

Wisdom of Solomon 19:232 LXX

For in everything, O Lord, You have exalted and glorified Your people,
And have not neglected to be present with them in every time and place.

Encouraging Words...

Our Lord, Our God, is always present in our lives ready to exalt and glorify those who are His. Then why do we have trials and tribulations? Usually it is because of our choices and these trials and tribulations are the consequences of those behaviors. Sometimes it is His way of refining us and helping us to grow in the image of His Son. And sometimes it is because of the fallen state of the world that we live in. But in all cases He promises to be there with us, lifting us up, and leading us to His glory.

November 10, 2013

God’s mercy knows no boundaries.

Wisdom of Solomon 15:1-3 LXX

But You, our God, are kind, true, patient,
And govern all things in mercy.
For even if we sin, we belong to You and know Your might;
But we will not sin,
Because we know that we are counted as belonging to You.
For to know You is complete righteousness,
And to know Your might is the root of immortality.

Encouraging Words...

So many religions, and even some Christian faith practices, are based on fear, on believing that God is a vicious, judgmental God. But the truth that we believe is that God is kind, true, patient, and merciful. Whether we sin or not we still belong to Him and through that belonging we are able to flee from sin. Through knowing Him we can live righteous lives and receive immortality.