Wisdom from Above

As I journal through James this month, I meditate on these verses. They are were both conflicting and inspiring. 

James 3:16-18

Pure. 

Peaceable. 

Gentle. 

Willing to yield. 

Mercy-full. 

Bearing goodness. 

Zero partiality. 

Zero hypocrisy. 

I don’t know about you, but as for me this doesn’t come easy. In and of myself I can be destructive, manipulative, self-seeking, angry, bitter, and just plain human. 

But God, through the power of His Holy Spirit can infuse wisdom to every area of my life. 

How? By simply asking Him for it. Thank you Lord! May your wisdom be a mark of your likeness in my life. 

Are you in need of wisdom? Ask Him for it and act on what He speaks to you. 

Would you join me is prayer, asking Him to infuse us with His wisdom for every trial ahead of us this week? 

Guidance

photo from google

All of us are too inexperienced to try to make it through life without a guide. God’s Word is that guide. Psalm 119 unfolds the manifold features of God’s Word, showing how dynamically and practically it will assist us in all of life’s circumstances. But no single verse focuses this more clearly than verse 105, which shows how God’s Word lights the way, giving direction for each step (“to my feet”) and giving wisdom for long-range plans (“to my path”). 

Joshua links the regular application of God’s Word to life as the most certain way to both success and prosperity in living (Josh. 1:8). Further, Psalm 119:130 notes the wisdom God’s Word gives to the “simple,” reminding us not to make decisions based on human delusion or outright senselessness. Also, Proverbs 6:23 reminds us that the reproofs of God are essential and for life. 

Let God’s Word guide, correct, instruct, lead, teach, and confirm. Do not hasten ahead without it—ever.

—Jack Hayford 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. Psalm 119:130

For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life. Proverbs 6:23

Lyrical Friday - How Deep the Father's Love For Us

[photo credit] 

Happy Friday to YOU!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday  I mean Valentine's Day. I did. Girls Night In became Girls Night Out. We went out for Pizza on a rainy and surprisingly chilly Miami night. I ate good food and laughed loud among the best company of friends. Indeed, it was a good night. It's a good thing to have friends.

So naturally, I would post a song about love, not just any love, the greatest love of all. Today's lyrics describe this perfect love so well. I know it's not a new song, but one that is known. And so I beg, don't just sing along but really sit back and consider each word.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Ephesians 3:18


How Deep the Father's Love For Us, Stewart Townend


How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
(REPEAT)

who enjoys stinky perfume?

Better to have wisdom than weapons of war,
    but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink,
    so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.

Ecclesiastes 9:18-10:1

[photo credit]

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I own perfumes, lotions, candles, incense, oils, air freshener, and even scented pens. I purchase cleaning products based first on their effectiveness and secondly, on their scent. When I get fragrance samples in the mail, I cut the strips and put them in my Bible, books and drawers. Baking and cooking create such delicious smells that it can almost be hypnotizing. I am an aroma fanatic. And because I am, I can easily go from one extreme to the other, from heart shaped pupils to the transfiguration of deadly X over each one. Let's face it, a wide range of scented items can be easily labeled, "the stench of death!" And we cannot overlook the unforgiving smell of anything spoiled; food, bin of garbage, perfume or a sweat-saturated shoe.

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Scents do matter. 

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.  2 Corinthians 2:14-15

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Did you catch that? Christ diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge through us. Other words for diffuse are: radiate, scatter, sprinkle, deposit, bestow, and disperse. Replace the word diffuses, with these words. Christ _________ the fragrance of His knowledge through ME. 

This is a great responsibility, because if a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor, then it is the knowledge of Christ that is spoiled before a watching world. A little of one thing can spoil a lot of good.

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A few years ago, I received a birthday card from a lady at church who I rarely interacted with. She wrote, "Raquel, you are the fragrance of Christ. When you leave my presence, the fragrance of Christ remains." I have not forgotten that. God showed me that I am filled with the fragrance of Christ when I spend time in His presence, when I apply His word to my life and love His people. It is my daily prayer, that I may be the fragrance of Christ to those around me... not a Pepe Le'Pew who repels people. Let's be real, who enjoys stinky perfume? No one.

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Challenge. Discern whether your actions/words are foolish or wise. Let's be a people who purpose to be the fragrance of Christ by forsaking foolishness. 

Flames from James

If any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Speak

It's almost 3am, and I have to be up early... But, I can not go to sleep until I speak to you.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am reading through the book of Acts in my devotion time. Before heading to bed I went back for some more. I picked up where I had left off and kept reading until I got to Acts 20:2, "While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through..." Even as I am writting to you, I am blown away by Paul's zeal to speak!

It got me thinking, am I that diligent to encourage the believers around me? Am I being a vessel of honor, sanctified and ready for any opportunity to minister to my sisters (2 Timothy 2:20-21)? Am I as enthustiastic as Paul, to speak the things of God everywhere I go? When I enter a room do I diffuse the frangrance of the knowledge of Christ (2 Corinthians2:14-15) ? Am I being salt and light everywhere I go (Matthew 5:13-16)?

Paul goes on to say:

(Verse 24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

(Verses 26-28) I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.

May we be Proverbs 31:26 women, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness." My prayer is that like Paul, I would be faithful to speak when He is commanding me to do so. I pray the same for you.