GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY JULY 21, 2012.
PROVERB
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2.
PROMISE
God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands. Isaiah 25:11.
PRAISE
Sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is on high, He looks upon the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble You preserve my life; You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes, with Your right hand You save me. Psalm 138:5-7.
July 22, 2012
Caring: July 20, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 20, 2012.
CARING
DEFINITION:
To be concerned; to desire to make provision; to watch over.
SCRIPTURE:
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." I Timothy 5:8.
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
These scriptures remind us that we have a responsibility to care, both physically and spiritually, for those in our family. Also, we are instructed to CARE for the orphans, the widows, the hungry, the poor and needy.
After Saul and his sons were killed in a battle with the Philistines, David became King. David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake." II Samuel 9:2. David was told that there was only Mephibosheth. He was the son of Jonathan and crippled in both his feet. David immediately sent for him.
Mephibosheth came before David in great fear because he knew that his grandfather, Saul, was jealous of David and had sought to kill him. After reassuring Mephibosheth to not be afraid, David said, "I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you will always eat at my table." (II Samuel 9:7) All the rest of his life Mephibosheth sat at David's table like one of his sons. David showed he cared by his action of kindness. When we truly care we will act upon it.
God instructed the children of Israel under Moses, when they were wandering in the desert, that they were to take care of their families, and not only their families but also the widows, the fatherless and their neighbors. Caring for others does not come readily for most people. God does care about each one of us, even when we are disobedient to Him.
It has always been those who love God who have done the most to care for those who are lonely, hungry and needy. The closer you are to God, the more you will have a heart for others and caring for others will become more natural to you.
As those who love the Lord, loving and caring for others should be our major life's work and caring for those of our "own house" our highest priority.
All of our lives we have had the privilege to work with missions where we have been able to help care for the poor and needy. It began over 50 years ago when we were in Korea with the assignment to set up over 140 orphanages for World Vision to take care of the abandoned "GI" babies after the Korean War. In later years we helped care for the children living in the slums and in refugee camps in Africa.
Our hearts were broken when we saw children in Honduras dying with cancer with no medical equipment or medicine. We could not help but to get them equipment and medicine to show that we cared for them. These few examples should be enough to challenge you to care for someone you meet today that has a need and is waiting for you to care for them.
We have experienced that there is great joy in caring for others and being able to do something to make their lives better. The blessing is always ours when we help someone else.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Help me to be a caring person that You can use. Keep me alert to the concerns of my family first and then to my neighbors and friends. Give me the strength and discernment to be that caring person that honors You to those that need care today.
CARING
DEFINITION:
To be concerned; to desire to make provision; to watch over.
SCRIPTURE:
"If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." I Timothy 5:8.
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
These scriptures remind us that we have a responsibility to care, both physically and spiritually, for those in our family. Also, we are instructed to CARE for the orphans, the widows, the hungry, the poor and needy.
After Saul and his sons were killed in a battle with the Philistines, David became King. David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake." II Samuel 9:2. David was told that there was only Mephibosheth. He was the son of Jonathan and crippled in both his feet. David immediately sent for him.
Mephibosheth came before David in great fear because he knew that his grandfather, Saul, was jealous of David and had sought to kill him. After reassuring Mephibosheth to not be afraid, David said, "I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather, Saul, and you will always eat at my table." (II Samuel 9:7) All the rest of his life Mephibosheth sat at David's table like one of his sons. David showed he cared by his action of kindness. When we truly care we will act upon it.
God instructed the children of Israel under Moses, when they were wandering in the desert, that they were to take care of their families, and not only their families but also the widows, the fatherless and their neighbors. Caring for others does not come readily for most people. God does care about each one of us, even when we are disobedient to Him.
It has always been those who love God who have done the most to care for those who are lonely, hungry and needy. The closer you are to God, the more you will have a heart for others and caring for others will become more natural to you.
As those who love the Lord, loving and caring for others should be our major life's work and caring for those of our "own house" our highest priority.
All of our lives we have had the privilege to work with missions where we have been able to help care for the poor and needy. It began over 50 years ago when we were in Korea with the assignment to set up over 140 orphanages for World Vision to take care of the abandoned "GI" babies after the Korean War. In later years we helped care for the children living in the slums and in refugee camps in Africa.
Our hearts were broken when we saw children in Honduras dying with cancer with no medical equipment or medicine. We could not help but to get them equipment and medicine to show that we cared for them. These few examples should be enough to challenge you to care for someone you meet today that has a need and is waiting for you to care for them.
We have experienced that there is great joy in caring for others and being able to do something to make their lives better. The blessing is always ours when we help someone else.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Help me to be a caring person that You can use. Keep me alert to the concerns of my family first and then to my neighbors and friends. Give me the strength and discernment to be that caring person that honors You to those that need care today.
Priorities: July 19, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY JULY 19, 2012
PRIORITIES
DEFINITION:
The state of being earlier in time and occurrence; the right to precede others in order; rank or privilege.
SCRIPTURE:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:35.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
A priority is something that is considered to be more important than anything else. Most people today do not set any kind of priorities in their lives. We are living in a generation where people literally live just from one minute to another with absolutely no direction or any kind of priority of purpose. The saddest thing to see is that people are so focused on themselves that they do not have any concern for others. They live totally for self.
To be a success in business you must have a business plan. This plan will outline the priorities that are necessary to establish and grow that business. The same is necessary if you want a happy family. You must have a plan, a schedule, a listing of daily priorities and then outline how you will spend your time and schedule your activities.
We encourage you today to set goals and priorities in your life. God leaves no doubt as to what our first priority is to be. He states it very clear in Matthew 22:37-38: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the FIRST and GREATEST commandment."
Thus, your first priority must be your relationship with God. Every day you need to set aside time to read and study the Bible and to pray. Along with this you need study tools to help you grow spiritually. If this is not already a priority in your life, you need to be concerned enough to make it a priority.
Your second priority is to your family. Parents have the responsibility of providing not only for their children's physical needs but also for their spiritual needs. This includes involving them in reading the Bible, praying and going to a church. This requires a commitment of your time, and unless you make it a priority, it will not happen. Countless things will come up and become excuses for not having time. Your family must be second to God in your list of priorities.
We need to lead by example because our children watch and listen and follow in our footsteps. Children need positive role models in their lives, beginning with their parents. Parents have a responsibility to help their children do their school work and guide them in their school activities and other responsibilities. Those times of sitting with our children at the kitchen table, helping them with school work were wonderful times of bonding.
Priorities are dreams with a deadline and remember you cannot dream a dream too big for God. You need to set your priorities each day. Every morning write down your priorities for the day. Try it and you will be amazed at how much you will accomplish. When you are setting your priorities ask yourself the question: "What must be the focus of my attention today?" Then ask, "Does it control me?" If it is not Christ centered, then change it. The key thought here is "control." The priorities you set will control your life.
The reason many people do not go very far in life is because they side step opportunity and shake hands with procrastination. Every day is a new opportunity to serve the Lord. Do you make that your priority or do you procrastinate?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Help me, Lord, to keep my priorities straight. Keep Your hand on me so that I will not stray from putting You first in my life. Guide me to be a godly example for my family and to make it my priority to be there for them.
PRIORITIES
DEFINITION:
The state of being earlier in time and occurrence; the right to precede others in order; rank or privilege.
SCRIPTURE:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:35.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
A priority is something that is considered to be more important than anything else. Most people today do not set any kind of priorities in their lives. We are living in a generation where people literally live just from one minute to another with absolutely no direction or any kind of priority of purpose. The saddest thing to see is that people are so focused on themselves that they do not have any concern for others. They live totally for self.
To be a success in business you must have a business plan. This plan will outline the priorities that are necessary to establish and grow that business. The same is necessary if you want a happy family. You must have a plan, a schedule, a listing of daily priorities and then outline how you will spend your time and schedule your activities.
We encourage you today to set goals and priorities in your life. God leaves no doubt as to what our first priority is to be. He states it very clear in Matthew 22:37-38: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the FIRST and GREATEST commandment."
Thus, your first priority must be your relationship with God. Every day you need to set aside time to read and study the Bible and to pray. Along with this you need study tools to help you grow spiritually. If this is not already a priority in your life, you need to be concerned enough to make it a priority.
Your second priority is to your family. Parents have the responsibility of providing not only for their children's physical needs but also for their spiritual needs. This includes involving them in reading the Bible, praying and going to a church. This requires a commitment of your time, and unless you make it a priority, it will not happen. Countless things will come up and become excuses for not having time. Your family must be second to God in your list of priorities.
We need to lead by example because our children watch and listen and follow in our footsteps. Children need positive role models in their lives, beginning with their parents. Parents have a responsibility to help their children do their school work and guide them in their school activities and other responsibilities. Those times of sitting with our children at the kitchen table, helping them with school work were wonderful times of bonding.
Priorities are dreams with a deadline and remember you cannot dream a dream too big for God. You need to set your priorities each day. Every morning write down your priorities for the day. Try it and you will be amazed at how much you will accomplish. When you are setting your priorities ask yourself the question: "What must be the focus of my attention today?" Then ask, "Does it control me?" If it is not Christ centered, then change it. The key thought here is "control." The priorities you set will control your life.
The reason many people do not go very far in life is because they side step opportunity and shake hands with procrastination. Every day is a new opportunity to serve the Lord. Do you make that your priority or do you procrastinate?
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Help me, Lord, to keep my priorities straight. Keep Your hand on me so that I will not stray from putting You first in my life. Guide me to be a godly example for my family and to make it my priority to be there for them.
Promise: July 18, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 18, 2012
PROMISE
DEFINITION:
A declaration that something will or will not be done; a pledge; a vow; a covenant.
SCRIPTURE:
“And this is the promise that He has promised us --- eternal life.” I John 2:25.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God has given us hundreds of promises in His Word and none of them have been broken. When Joshua was old and knew his life was about over, he gave a farewell speech to the Children of Israel. He said in Joshua 23:14, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled and not one has failed.”
God made two very significant promises to Noah and to Abraham that affect us today. Throughout the Bible God has made promises and when God makes a promise it is never broken.
In Genesis 9:12-15 GOD said to Noah, “this is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, and for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the cloud and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth --- that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
And in Genesis 12: 2-3 God told Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; I will bless those that bless you; I will curse those that curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
In both of these passages God made a promise that He has kept. In His promise to Noah He said He would send a rainbow after a storm to remind us that He would never destroy the earth with a flood. God kept His promise to Abraham by making him a great nation [Israel] and making his name great.
But the greatest promise ever made was the promise made by God to send His only Son to this earth to pay for the sins of everyone who has or will live on this earth so that they might have eternal life. This promise of eternal life is for everyone who is willing to first ask God for forgiveness for their sins and then accept Jesus into their heart and enter into a personal relationship with Him.
In life today so many people make promises that are not kept. Parents promise certain things to children and then do not follow through. Everyday spouses make promises, families make promises, neighbors make promises, bosses make promises and for the most part they disregard the promises as if they were never made.
Many parents do not realize the positive impact that is made on a child’s mind when promises are made and kept. When promise are made and not kept there is a negative impact that can have long term repercussions. When you keep promises you will be considered reliable and trustworthy and be looked up to as a person of integrity.
God set the example in keeping His promises with Noah and Abraham and as Christians, God expects nothing less from us. Each of us should take the time now and think about the promises we have made and not kept and do all we can to honor those promises. From this day on we need to commit to make promises that we are sure we can honor. Relationships are put in jeopardy when promises are not kept. Marriage vows are a promise to love, honor and to be faithful as long as both husband and wife shall live. Oh, how often that promise is broken! It is time to right the wrongs and honor your promises.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Thank You that You are a faithful God who keeps all Your promises. Thank You for fulfilling Your promise to send Your only Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins so that I can know that all my sins are forgiven and that I have received Your promised gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake those who love You.
PROMISE
DEFINITION:
A declaration that something will or will not be done; a pledge; a vow; a covenant.
SCRIPTURE:
“And this is the promise that He has promised us --- eternal life.” I John 2:25.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
God has given us hundreds of promises in His Word and none of them have been broken. When Joshua was old and knew his life was about over, he gave a farewell speech to the Children of Israel. He said in Joshua 23:14, “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled and not one has failed.”
God made two very significant promises to Noah and to Abraham that affect us today. Throughout the Bible God has made promises and when God makes a promise it is never broken.
In Genesis 9:12-15 GOD said to Noah, “this is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, and for perpetual generations; I set My rainbow in the cloud and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth --- that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.”
And in Genesis 12: 2-3 God told Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; I will bless those that bless you; I will curse those that curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
In both of these passages God made a promise that He has kept. In His promise to Noah He said He would send a rainbow after a storm to remind us that He would never destroy the earth with a flood. God kept His promise to Abraham by making him a great nation [Israel] and making his name great.
But the greatest promise ever made was the promise made by God to send His only Son to this earth to pay for the sins of everyone who has or will live on this earth so that they might have eternal life. This promise of eternal life is for everyone who is willing to first ask God for forgiveness for their sins and then accept Jesus into their heart and enter into a personal relationship with Him.
In life today so many people make promises that are not kept. Parents promise certain things to children and then do not follow through. Everyday spouses make promises, families make promises, neighbors make promises, bosses make promises and for the most part they disregard the promises as if they were never made.
Many parents do not realize the positive impact that is made on a child’s mind when promises are made and kept. When promise are made and not kept there is a negative impact that can have long term repercussions. When you keep promises you will be considered reliable and trustworthy and be looked up to as a person of integrity.
God set the example in keeping His promises with Noah and Abraham and as Christians, God expects nothing less from us. Each of us should take the time now and think about the promises we have made and not kept and do all we can to honor those promises. From this day on we need to commit to make promises that we are sure we can honor. Relationships are put in jeopardy when promises are not kept. Marriage vows are a promise to love, honor and to be faithful as long as both husband and wife shall live. Oh, how often that promise is broken! It is time to right the wrongs and honor your promises.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Thank You that You are a faithful God who keeps all Your promises. Thank You for fulfilling Your promise to send Your only Son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins so that I can know that all my sins are forgiven and that I have received Your promised gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake those who love You.
Burden: July 17, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 17, 2012.
BURDEN
DEFINITION:
Something carried; a load; something borne with a difficulty as a care or a grief.
SCRIPTURE:
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 15:1
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The word “bear” in the verse above means “to pick up and carry a weight.” It is used in the carrying of a pitcher of water, carrying a man, and figuratively of bearing an obligation.
The Bible instructs us as Christians to bear one another’s burdens. Doing this requires three things. First, it requires awareness. If you are not sensitive to the struggles of those around you, how can you help them? Every day we see and talk to people who hurt intensely. Have you asked God to sensitize you to the needs of the people around you?
Secondly, we need to have a spirit of acceptance. We are not to bear burdens on the basis of how we feel about a person or a situation. If we are going to be like Christ in our actions we need to be willing to share in the pain of others, no matter who they are or where they are.
Finally, we must be available. It is so easy for us to delegate a situation to somebody else. It may be to another friend, a family member, someone in the church or work place. God blesses people who will be available and will bear someone else’s burden with them.
The Apostle Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 5:14 to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak and be patient with everyone. We can do this by being present when someone needs help. We need to listen to a person so we can fully understand the need. Allow the experience of your own pain and failures enable you to help others.
Take the time to pray with a person who is carrying a heavy burden and be willing to give to help meet that person’s need in any way you can. A hand shake or a hug with the words, “I will pray for you” is not enough.
Next to loving the Lord with all your heart we are given the commandment to love our neighbor. Do you help carry the burden of others? If not, God is expecting you to do it and He will enable you if you are willing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Help me to focus on what is important to You and not to me. Keep me from being indifferent to the need of others and help me to be willing to carry the burden of others. Help me to learn to share someone else’s heartache in their time of sadness.
BURDEN
DEFINITION:
Something carried; a load; something borne with a difficulty as a care or a grief.
SCRIPTURE:
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 15:1
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The word “bear” in the verse above means “to pick up and carry a weight.” It is used in the carrying of a pitcher of water, carrying a man, and figuratively of bearing an obligation.
The Bible instructs us as Christians to bear one another’s burdens. Doing this requires three things. First, it requires awareness. If you are not sensitive to the struggles of those around you, how can you help them? Every day we see and talk to people who hurt intensely. Have you asked God to sensitize you to the needs of the people around you?
Secondly, we need to have a spirit of acceptance. We are not to bear burdens on the basis of how we feel about a person or a situation. If we are going to be like Christ in our actions we need to be willing to share in the pain of others, no matter who they are or where they are.
Finally, we must be available. It is so easy for us to delegate a situation to somebody else. It may be to another friend, a family member, someone in the church or work place. God blesses people who will be available and will bear someone else’s burden with them.
The Apostle Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 5:14 to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak and be patient with everyone. We can do this by being present when someone needs help. We need to listen to a person so we can fully understand the need. Allow the experience of your own pain and failures enable you to help others.
Take the time to pray with a person who is carrying a heavy burden and be willing to give to help meet that person’s need in any way you can. A hand shake or a hug with the words, “I will pray for you” is not enough.
Next to loving the Lord with all your heart we are given the commandment to love our neighbor. Do you help carry the burden of others? If not, God is expecting you to do it and He will enable you if you are willing.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Help me to focus on what is important to You and not to me. Keep me from being indifferent to the need of others and help me to be willing to carry the burden of others. Help me to learn to share someone else’s heartache in their time of sadness.
Discernment: July 16, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 16, 2012.
DISCERNMENT
DEFINITION:
Distinguish by the eye or the intellect; perceive; discriminate; acuteness of judgment and understanding.
SCRIPTURE:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. Psalm 1:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
From the perspective of the individual believer being blessed, as in this verse above, is to have a deep-seated joy and contentment in God. Only those who know God’s redemptive favor through accepting Jesus can experience what it is to be blessed in this way. The believer is not to walk, nor stand, nor sit with the wicked because these associations will ultimately drag a believer into the life of a sinner. Those we associate with have a profound effect on us. It takes discernment on behalf of the believer to choose the right kind of associates.
How many times have you talked to young people who have told you that as they prepare for the future they need to get into the world to experience ungodly situations and ungodly people in order to grow stronger in their spiritual life?
Certainly, we are all in the world but we are not of this world, as we are told in John 17:15. We are all exposed to non-Christian situations in our schools, jobs, and neighborhoods. We need to be careful and be discerning so that being exposed to those situations does not lead to our embracing ungodly philosophies.
All of us would avoid a lot of pitfalls and mature faster in our Christian faith if we did all we could to ignore the world and follow the divine pattern that the Psalmist gives us in Psalm 1:1. Here are several further thoughts that will help you show discernment as you walk your daily walk.
Do not let your decisions you need to make each day be controlled by the “counsel of the ungodly.” Do not ask advice of those who do not know Jesus. Look to those who are walking with God. This will take spiritual discernment on your part.
You need to avoid feeling any comfort at all being with people who seem to always mock God, His Word, and His role in your life. Mockers are enemies of God and hate His wisdom. Counsel from such sources leads you away from God. It will be based on lies not on truth. Get your knowledge and advice from God’s Word and those that know God and love Him. God and His Word, not experiences from the world, is our best teacher. Make sure you use discernment every day in your decision making and do not walk, stand or sit in the counsel of the ungodly.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Give me the discernment in making decisions concerning the people, places and things in my life so that my choices will honor You. May God’s Word fill my mind, rule my heart and guide my life.
DISCERNMENT
DEFINITION:
Distinguish by the eye or the intellect; perceive; discriminate; acuteness of judgment and understanding.
SCRIPTURE:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. Psalm 1:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
From the perspective of the individual believer being blessed, as in this verse above, is to have a deep-seated joy and contentment in God. Only those who know God’s redemptive favor through accepting Jesus can experience what it is to be blessed in this way. The believer is not to walk, nor stand, nor sit with the wicked because these associations will ultimately drag a believer into the life of a sinner. Those we associate with have a profound effect on us. It takes discernment on behalf of the believer to choose the right kind of associates.
How many times have you talked to young people who have told you that as they prepare for the future they need to get into the world to experience ungodly situations and ungodly people in order to grow stronger in their spiritual life?
Certainly, we are all in the world but we are not of this world, as we are told in John 17:15. We are all exposed to non-Christian situations in our schools, jobs, and neighborhoods. We need to be careful and be discerning so that being exposed to those situations does not lead to our embracing ungodly philosophies.
All of us would avoid a lot of pitfalls and mature faster in our Christian faith if we did all we could to ignore the world and follow the divine pattern that the Psalmist gives us in Psalm 1:1. Here are several further thoughts that will help you show discernment as you walk your daily walk.
Do not let your decisions you need to make each day be controlled by the “counsel of the ungodly.” Do not ask advice of those who do not know Jesus. Look to those who are walking with God. This will take spiritual discernment on your part.
You need to avoid feeling any comfort at all being with people who seem to always mock God, His Word, and His role in your life. Mockers are enemies of God and hate His wisdom. Counsel from such sources leads you away from God. It will be based on lies not on truth. Get your knowledge and advice from God’s Word and those that know God and love Him. God and His Word, not experiences from the world, is our best teacher. Make sure you use discernment every day in your decision making and do not walk, stand or sit in the counsel of the ungodly.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
PRAYER:
Give me the discernment in making decisions concerning the people, places and things in my life so that my choices will honor You. May God’s Word fill my mind, rule my heart and guide my life.
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