Tag Archives: Understanding
Proverbs 4:27
“Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago and Walk in the Word Ministries uses a theme song for his radio broadcasts. The lyrics are:
To the left or the right, o-o-oh, I will not go.
To the left or the right, o-o-oh, I will not go, I will not go.
Walk, walk in the word. Walk in the word.
Walk, walk in the word.
This is the way!
As David mentioned yesterday, we need to focus on the path before us. To turn to the left or the right from the path we have been shown is to step into the ways of unrighteousness, wickedness, and evil. Fortunately, Solomon continues his advice by instructing us to “remove thy foot from evil.”
GET BACK ON TRACK!
Jesus warned us,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
What is the most sure way of seeing, staying on, and getting back to the path of righteousness?
As James MacDonald’s ministry says, “Walk in the Word.” We need to read God’s word, know it, and live it.
This combined with daily prayer and meeting with other Christians strengthens our understanding and resolve to stay on the path.
Do not turn from God and His path. Stay focused on our Lord.
Lord Jesus, strengthen our resolve to not stray off the path. Broaden our understanding of Your will for our lives. Give us Your wisdom and the desire to stay on the path of righteousness.
1 Comment | tags: Bible, Book of Proverbs, James MacDonald, Knowledge, Life, New International Version, paths, truth, Understanding, Walk | posted in Paths of Life, Truth, Warnings
Proverbs 4:20-22
“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.”
An intellectual gets great joy from learning and is invigorated by knowledge and good debate.
An avid reader gets great joy from a good book and has his or her spirit lifted by a great story.
A social person gets great joy from social interaction and is sustained by spending time with others.
A private person gets great joy from some quiet time and is refreshed by personal alone time.
God gives these desires … and uses them for His glory.
Nicodemus sought knowledge from the Teacher, and he was born again (see John 3:1-21, for example).
The Bereans found new life by reading the Scriptures foretelling the Messiah (see Acts 17:10-12).
Mary discovered everlasting life by talking with (and listening to) Jesus (see Luke 10:38-42).
Anna beheld her salvation after decades in prayerful solitude (see Luke 2:36-38).
These were all people who listened to the teachings of those who came before and especially of God. They kept God’s word within themselves and studied it fervently.
Do you?
It is not enough to just read books, talk with people, or seclude yourself from society. It is not enough to go to church services and functions or to do good things.
It takes a disciplined heart and a passion for God to truly live a godly life. And the best possibility for a long, healthy life this side of heaven comes from living a godly life (see verse 22).
Dear Lord, give us that passion for Your truth. Help us to cherish Your word and to live out Your commands.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Desire, faith, Faithfulness, Knowledge, Life, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in desire, Faithfulness, Knowledge, Paths of Life, Wisdom
Proverbs 4:7
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”
I think God really wants us to understand that wisdom is the best thing we can get. How many times over the past few chapters have we been exhorted to get wisdom? And there is more to come!
In 2007, I had the blessing of living out this verse. Really it was a mixed blessing. I had to end an engagement to a woman. I lost my job. I left home with only three bags of possessions (to be fair, my parents still have a few of my things to this day), and spent months living out of those bags with nothing else. I knew no one when I got to Arizona, and I spent a few months practically homeless.
It was difficult and at times a little scary, but I have rarely been as joyful. I was so dependent on God for every moment. I almost literally gave up everything to get a hold of God.
What have you given up to get a hold of God?
He may be reaching out for us every moment of every day, but God wants us to willingly choose to love Him.
For some of us, we may have only to give up our past. For others it is giving up our habits. For still others it may be giving up wants and desires we once had. Like myself at one time, it may require a complete restart, giving up everything and everyone (to a point) in our lives to focus solely on God.
For some, such as many believers in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, it may mean giving up this life.
God’s wisdom is worth it. No amount of money can get it. It must be gratefully and humbly accepted from God.
Awesome Lord, teach us to love You with a passion we cannot comprehend. Give us Your wisdom and grace, and help us understand a little more how much You love us. Give us more every moment!
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, faith, God, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in Value and Worth, Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-14
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”
The Point
This is the whole point: Wisdom is the highest thing to pursue.
Before you hunt me down for blasphemy or heresy, I must repeat something quoted earlier:
Anything but the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the true wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
The best, most worthy, most desirable thing we could ever hope to attain in this life or the next is the Wisdom of God: Jesus Christ.
God has given us the opportunity to draw close and hear His voice. God has welcomed us as friends into His home. God has made a way for us to finally reach out and take His hand.
When we understand that God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ and that we can intimately walk with Him, how can we not be blessed, be happy?
Need I really say more?
Dear Lord, thank you for Your love and coming to save us. Thank You that You have made a way for us. Thank You for giving us Yourself and inviting us in. Give us more of You. Help us understand You more.
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Christ Jesus, God, Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in Knowledge, Wisdom
Proverbs 2:1-5
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”
Treasure Hunting
There are people in the UK who arm themselves with metal detectors to search ancient battlefields and settlements for long lost treasure. While a few stumble upon finds of considerable importance and value, the majority search for years without finding anything much. Most never give up the search, convinced that one day they will make an important find.
Verse 4 of Proverbs 2 suggests that we should search for wisdom as if it were treasure, hidden in some secret storehouse. Wisdom is not a discovery to be made in an instant, some sort of easy one-off find. The search for wisdom should last a lifetime, the aim of the search to gain insight, understanding and knowledge of God. Such knowledge will lead us towards completeness in our relationship with Him, but it will also teach us to fear God.
Finding Fear
How and why does fear come into the equation? Moses was a man who knew how to fear the Lord, and could help answer this question. His first real fear encounter with God occurred with the burning bush incident, when Moses began to learn an awesome respect for God. He was a man who was changed because of his experience of God, evident in the way that his face was radiant after spending time in God’s presence.
That’s the key. Spending time in God’s presence will open our minds and allow us to understand more of God.
But the wisdom that comes from such understanding should inevitably lead to fear. This fear could be defined as being overwhelmed by the realization of who God is.
That realization is surely something to be desired, something to be sought, and something to be treasured.
1 Comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, faith, Fear the Lord, Finding, God, Knowledge, Moses, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in Fear of the Lord, Knowledge, Uncategorized, Wisdom
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. – John 19:25, KJV
What was the whole reason Jesus made His first coming to the Earth?
To die as a propitiation for our sins on the cross.
And of all of the thousands who followed Him during His ministry, the 120 disciples who remained the most faithful, the remaining 11 Apostles, and His family, who remained nearby at His death?
The Apostle John and a few women, including His mother, Mary. She may not have understood everything Jesus did or taught, but she stayed near Him even at His supposed end.
And there is our example: like Jesus’ mother, we do not always understand how God is moving, how what is happening can work out for good, or how His Kingdom will come to full fruition; but we do know He has promised to return to fully redeem us and banish all evil pain and suffering, though we may not understand the whole plan.
And we, too, shall remain faithful until the end, by the power of blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)
Our great God, strengthen our faith, because You are faithful, and grant us peace, patience, and wisdom as we wait for Your return.
1 Comment | tags: Advent, Christmas, Christmas Hope, Coming, Faithful, Faithfulness, Follow, Follower, God, Gospel, Jesus, John, Knowledge, Mary, Mother, Patience, Peace, promises, Second Coming, The Cross, The Mary's, Understanding | posted in Faithfulness, Jesus, Peace, Promises
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. -Matthew 1:19-25, KJV
With Jesus’ first advent, we can not forget that His mother was yet unmarried at His conception . . . but she was betrothed to be married.
Just as Mary sought understanding about how she could be able to conceive without a man, Joseph wanted to do the right thing, and understanding was needed.
He had the understanding that Mary had cheated on him, because that was the obvious perception. Being an upright individual, he planned to discretely break up with her to prevent her having too much shame. It took God sending an angel to correct him, to see that God had indeed made this pregnancy happen to bring about the coming salvation of God’s people. He quickly changed his mind, and married Mary, even knowing he would have to wait until Jesus was born “to know her” and that it might even bring ridicule on himself, as well. (Either it appeared Mary was unfaithful, or that they had not waited until their wedding.)
Likewise, we should be slow to assume things about people based on appearances and ready to show grace and love toward them. We may go against what everyone else is saying and make ourselves look silly or “condoning of sin,” but it is what our Lord and His earthly parents did.
And claiming He is coming again looks foolish to our fallen world. (See 2 Peter 3) Following Jesus has a cost. (See Luke 14:25-33)
Lord, help us to be faithful servants who love the unlovable, as You did us, and to proclaim Your coming again!
1 Comment | tags: Advent, Appearance, Birth, Character, cheating, Christ, Christmas, Christmas Hope, Coming, Faithful, Father, Jesus, Joseph, love, Mary, Parent, Parents, Pregnancy, Repent, salvation, Second Coming, Silliness, Silly, struggles, Understanding, Unfaithful, Unlovable | posted in Fools, Love, Relationships
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. -Proverbs 19:25 KJV
Why do guys like hitting each other?
It seems silly, but a lot of guys do it.
However, we see those who can knock someone out cold with one punch or kick through a brick wall, and everyone else agrees, “Don’t mess with him!”
But is that all?
Look at the recently rebranded debate over the death penalty. Pope Francis called it “inadmissable” for governments to kill using the death penalty.
But, as a friend said to me about locks on doors, it may serve to “keep the honest people honest.” Or at the very least it warns those who may want to commit a crime that there are severe consequences, and they will simply beware the dangers and avoid the crime.
Things should be different.
Why aren’t they different? We fail to live out the two greatest commandments: Love God and love others.
We get too focused on our own wants and needs, and it leads to mistreating others.
A wise person, though, will see the law or hear the admonition against things and think, “I can see how that might hurt others.” At the very least, he or she would want to learn more about why we should or should not do something. This keeps them out of trouble in the first place!
But you better believe there’s a deeper meaning to this!
A simple person will look at the cross of Christ and think “Don’t make waves” or “Religion causes problems.”
But the point of the Cross is that God has a Law that no one can meet, but Jesus did and made a way for us by sacrificing Himself on that cross. The wise person understands our sinful nature and seeks to avoid the condemnation our lawlessness brings. This person seeks out the truth of Christ to believe and be saved.
In this world, big, strong guys impress and intimidate us.
At the end of this world, The Big Guy will finally reveal His strength as His wrath is poured out on those who refuse to believe.
Who do you fear more?
Leave a comment | tags: Blows, Book of Proverbs, Hit, Hitting, Reprove, Simple, Strength, Strong, Understanding, Warning, Warnings, wise | posted in Warnings
Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding. -Proverbs 10:23, ESV
The past 20 years has shown so many movies and TV shows that glorify dangerous and stupid acts as comedy. In fact, as of this writing there is a new film being released by a veteran of this genre about an amusement park that minimizes safety (and they do all their own stunts).
All for a laugh.
What pains me is that this veteran of “comedy” is incredibly intelligent and a good actor.
A Changed Man
I have written in these pages before about my own life. When I was in high school, before Christ grabbed hold of me, I had pretty much given up on this world. I was a master liar who manipulated situations to cause pain to others. I found it a joke, much like these movies, but only on the emotional and psychological levels as opposed to physical.
But when Christ transformed my mind by His Holy Spirit, those “jokes” were no longer funny. Suddenly wisdom and compassion were my joy.
This is the difference between the world and a Christian. The world sees pain as a joke, as entertainment. A Christian sees pain as part of a fallen world, redeemed through Christ’s sacrifice to edify His Church and ultimately end suffering.
If He redeemed this joke of a man to a tool of understanding, He can do it for anyone. Even that “veteran.”
Even you.
Leave a comment | tags: Book of Proverbs, Fool, Johnny Knoxville, Joke, pain, paths of life, Understanding, Wisdom | posted in Paths of Life
I think I am pretty clever some days. I think I can figure it all out.
AND then I run into the wall with something and I realize I am not as clever as I like to think I am. My understanding is not what our LORD wants.
If the victory is to be His, I have to trust Him with all my heart. I have to emotionally connect with what He wants not what I understand.
May I trust him from the bottom of my heart.
May I do it now.
What is God saying?
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! (Proverbs 3:5 The Message Bible)
And here is some more. True understand comes from Jesus. The point of understanding is to know Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is the Truth. Jesus leads us to eternal life. Now that is some very good news.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus the Messiah. This is the true God and eternal life. | 1 John 5:20 (NASB)
So what does Jesus himself say? The point is to know that God is in Jesus and Jesus is in God. They are one and the same. That is true understanding.
“But if I do them [miracles], though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” | John 10:38 (NASB)
2 Comments | tags: Jesus, Knowledge, Proverbs 3, Understanding | posted in Knowledge, Wisdom
Caitlin Klem
Chris Jordan
Daniel M. Klem
dawnlizjones
David
Grady Davidson
Jason Sneed
M. Wiley Wilson
Nick
Anthony Baker
Katie Marie
Wally Fry
Proverbial Thought 