Tag: Wisdom

Posted in Hiding His Word

May Mercy Compass Me About

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32

He that Trusteth
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. – Psalms 32:10

Filled with the Spirit of God
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee. – Exodus 31:3-6

This is another scripture where the Spirit of God fills the people with wisdom, understanding, knowledge and ability. The scripture says to devise cunning works and do all kinds of crafts and “workmanship.”

Cunning – skill employed in a shrewd or sly manner, craftiness; showing or made with ingenuity. Artfully subtle.

The Sabbath
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. Exodus 31:13-16

God instituted observing the Sabbath as a sign between Himself and each child. It is a part of His never-ending covenant, and honor our part of that perpetual covenant.

Perpetual – continuing or enduring forever; everlasting
Covenant – a solemn agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something. In the Bible a covenant is the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture. The agreement between God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.

All Forsook Him
Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. – Matthew 26:56b

Forsook – past tense of forsake.
Forsake – to quit or leave entirely; abandon; desert; to give up or renounce

Fled – past tense of flee
Flee – to run away; as from danger or pursuers; take flight; to move swiftly.

To me, these are a few of the most heartbreaking words in the Bible. I know the disciples were disappointed and ashamed of themselves. They may have questioned all they had done over the three years prior; everything they had learned. When circumstances disappoint, I often find myself fleeing or wanting to run. How much better would it be to be still, take a deep breath, and ask God for wisdom that we also read about today and are promised to receive?

I Am Wisdom (part 2)
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him:
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing always before him;
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth;
and my delights were with the sons of men.

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children:
for blessed are they that keep my ways.
– Proverbs 8:27-32

Father, I enter Your presence today filled with gratitude and a heart of joy that You are covering me and carrying me through this time in my life. It has been a time of much chaos personally and in our nation, but I know You are here, and You are ordering my steps. Thank You for helping me to keep my emotions in check. Thank You for granting me mercy when I have failed and made oversights. God, I ask You in these next days to help me to trust You more. To help me not to forsake You and flee when the going gets tough. I can’t remain faithful without You, so I ask You for faithfulness. Fill me with Your Spirit afresh today. I ask You for wisdom, knowledge, skill, and ability to handle what is assigned to me. Help me to let go of the dreams and “assignments” I have created, that are not Your plan. Oh God, I want to live pleasing to You. God, heal my husband. Touch his ears that he can hear again. Help the doctors to find out what is going on. Help up both to walk in Your will and Your ways. Help us to trust You alone so that Mercy may compass us about, Oh Lord. I ask this all in Jesus’ holy Name. Amen! Amen!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Let Them Be Silent

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

One Year Bible Passages – Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31 – 26:13; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 8:12-13

Let Them Be Silent
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake. Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. – Psalms 31:15-18

First gifts
And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. – Exodus 28:3

I love how the artisans are said to be “filled with the spirit of Wisdom.” Artistic ability of any kind is a gift from God, as is Wisdom. Expressions of art through things like needlework and sculpting were some of the earliest gifts that we read about in the Bible, and crafts such as these done as unto the Lord or for the Kingdom purposes is using your skills with wisdom. I imagine an artist would do their best work filled with the Holy Ghost? Don’t I do my best work, whether in an occupation or crafting, if I am filled with the Holy Ghost and anointed for that purpose? This passage was a great encouragement to me.

Holy Unto the Lord
And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. – Exodus 28:36

The words “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” actually have the same connotation as belonging to the Lord. Set apart for the Lord.

Everyone knows who Aaron is by the words he wears fastened to the front of his turban. They know Who he belongs to. He stands out. If I am part of the royal priesthood (and I am), shouldn’t I stand out too? Shouldn’t everyone know whose I am and what I am about not by Words on my forehead but by the way I live my life?

Sheep and Goats
“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:” – Matthew 25:31-34

The distinction between the sheep and the goats was about who they followed and in this instruction about how they cared for people. This should be a great encouragement for anyone who lives with neglect, abuse, or any other form of suppression. When I care for those, I am caring for Jesus.

Immediately after the passage about the sheep and goats, the religious leaders meet and conspire to kill Jesus. And then, at the end of today’s passages, one of the once marginalized women comes and anoints Jesus with oil. Such a beautiful act of gratitude and love. We can make judgments against those that are conspiring or against the disciples for their reaction to the anointing of oil, but we probably should first examine our own heart and make sure that we are not having the same reactions and attitudes toward others.

Fear of the Lord
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. – Proverbs 8:12-13

Prudence – wise in practical affairs; caution with regard to practical matters.

Arrogancy – offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride.

Froward – willfully contrary; not easily managed

Posted in Hiding His Word

Better Than Rubies

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

One Year Bible passages – Exodus 26:1-27:21; Matthew 25:1-30; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 8:1-11

Secret Places
And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. – Exodus 26:33

This passage reminds me that because of the price Jesus paid on the cross, there are secret places with the Lord, available to those who seek Him.

Pure Oil
And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. – Exodus 27:20

There was a pure oil that burned and brought Light that was to never go out. Oil the symbol of the Holy Ghost. God charges us to remain faithful and diligent to “keep the lamp burning.” As those who are to be reflections of His light (light-bearers), we are only able to do God’s work through the power and strength granted by the Holy Ghost, who lives within and fills them.

Stewardship
“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” – Matthew 25:29

Stewardship is important to Jesus. How I handle what He’s given to me matters. The servants who stewarded well received back more and was entrusted with more. We all have a calling in our lives. You have one and I have one. What I do with my calling, my purpose, my life. What I do with my gifts matter. We have been given freedom to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ; we have been given the opportunity to reflect Jesus along our way. How are we doing with that? How am I? it matters to the Master.

Hesed
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; – Psalms 31:7

David rejoiced in God’s lovingkindness. His Hesed. He has joy because he knows that God has seen his affliction and has known his troubles. God knows our troubles too. Not only because He knows all things, but because He came to earth as a man and lived and endured all the things we endure. He suffered loneliness, rejection, pain, sickness, hunger, abuse, torture, and even death. He experienced the utter sorrow of being cut off from God’s love. But these things happened so that we would have a perfect High Priest who understood our sufferings. Those sufferings brought us to God, that we may live with Him eternally.

Wisdom
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. – Proverbs 8:11

I can desire many things – houses, land, relationships, riches, gifts, easy life, peace. But the best thing I can ever desire is WISDOM. The Word tells me here that nothing compares to it.

Father, I come before You today, so thankful for all that You have given to me. Thank You for Your Hesed that sent Your perfect Son, Jesus, into this world to pay a price I could not pay for my sins. Thank You, Jesus! Thank You for Your Instruction through Your Word. You said if we lacked wisdom to ask for it. Lord, I ask for more wisdom that I may live in holiness and that I may be able to go into the secret places You have set aside for those that seek You with their whole hearts. Thank You, Lord, that if I steward the things You have given – prayer, study of Your Word, obedience to Your voice, yield to Your Holy Ghost, love for Your Son…that more will be given. Father, if You never gave me another thing, You have given me LIFE, and I am so grateful, and I love You so much. Thank You for always meeting me here as I seek You more and more. Increase my desire for Your Word and all Your ways. Help me to avoid temptations that may throw me off of Your perfect path for me. Help me to bear Your Light faithfully today and that Your reflection through my life will touch someone. I ask this all in Jesus’ holy and precious Name. Amen! Amen

Posted in Hiding His Word

He Shall Reward Every Man According to His Works

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

Today’s passages in the One-Year Bible: Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6

THOUGHTS AND PASSAGES THAT SPOKE TO MY HEART

God will use the schemes of the wicked for your good
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. – Genesis 50:19-20

The wicked will see the prosperity, strength, and fruitfulness of God’s children as a threat
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Rameses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. – Exodus 1:9-14

Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. We know faith, not works, save us, but by reading this next passage, we can also know that we are to do His works. I often wonder what that reward will look like because one thing I have found about doing His works – there is such a great blessing and reward even as you do them. Can it get better than that?
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” – Matthew 16:24-27

The king that trusts in the Lord shall not be moved
The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!

For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved. – Psalms 21:1, 7

Attend, Bow, Regard, Keep
My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge. – Proverbs 5:1-2

BECAUSE I LIKE TO NOTE AND STUDY WORDS

Attend – to be present at; to take care of, minister to; devote one’s services to; to wait upon; to take charge of.

Bow – to bend the knee or body as in reverence, submission, salutation, or acknowledgement; to yield, submit.

Regard – to look upon or think of with a particular feeling; to have or show respect or concern for; to think highly of, esteem.

Keep – to hold or retain in one’s possession; hold as one’s own; to maintain, especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise.

Oh, Father, I come before you today, and I ask that you help me focus my mind on You. Lord, help me to take up my cross today and follow You. Help me to focus on Your will and doing Your good works. Help me to trust in You and yield to Your strength will carry me and help me to stand firm during the schemes of the enemy. Thank You that You have promised You will use all those evil schemes for good. Thank You that You have given us an abundance of provision and strength and protection and fruit. Help me now to stand as I know the devil will not let it go without a fight. Show me how my Lord to attend to Your wisdom, to bow and reverence Your understanding, to esteem discretion, so my lips will keep Your knowledge. Lord, give me a real and heavy burden for the lost and help me to LOVE as You LOVE. I ask this all in Jesus’ Name. Amen!!!

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart – Luke 6:46-49

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“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” ~ Luke‬ ‭6:46-49‬ ‬‬‬

Who am I? Am I the wise one who hears and practices or am I the foolish who hears but then goes ahead to do my own will?

Do you ever get a feeling that God is telling you to do something? Sometimes, we are convicted to do things that are difficult and all we want to do is run away. But running away is only a temporary comfort. One day you will find running from God and what we know is His will is always a compromise. We want the benefits of a relationship with God, but when He asks us to obey Him, we are not willing to do the hard work. What area of your life is God convicting you to honor Him with?

Jesus says that he will show us what it’s like when someone comes to him, listens to his teaching, and follows it. It like a man who builds a house with a strong foundation.

Through listening to Christ teachings and following them in our lives, we can have a strong foundation in Christ. With Christ’s help, we can withstand whatever Satan throws against us. Jesus describes this as a house with a strong and deep foundation. When the storms and winds come, the house can survive. But a house with a weak and shallow foundation can not survive the storms and strong winds. Without Christ as our strong and deep foundation, we cannot survive the storms of life and the strong winds of Satan.

It is not an instant transformation but step by obedient step building of a strong foundation. As each step of obedience strengthens, each step of disobedience tears down and weakens our foundation. Some wonder why they are not receiving from the Lord or don’t feel as close to Him as they once did…here is a key. Are you following His instructions? I heard an interesting quote this week…

When we stop honoring people, we stop receiving from them. ~ Jeremiah Johnson

That really spoke to me and made me think this – if to honor someone includes listening and heeding words of instruction, encouragement and/or correction, then when we dishonor in our hearts and actions it is evident because we are not receiving from them. We ignore their Godly counsel and rebel. It is the same with God. If we have no honor for God and His instructions, encouragement, and correction then we go about feeling as though He isn’t speaking because we aren’t receiving…from Him or His chosen vessel. We rebel against what we hear, if our ears are even open to hear it. It is not the Word going forth that lacks instruction and revelation to build our foundation! Lack of honor has given us a deaf ear and hardened our heart. The wise man honors Jesus and His Word.

Father, help me to honor You by listening to your teachings and following them today. Help me to build a strong foundation. Your word Lord is so clear and I thank You because You do not leave me to try and keep Your commandments in my own power. You have promised Lord that with man it is impossible but with you all things are possible. You have promised to work in me both to will and to do Your good pleasure. Today Lord let me be like the wise man, help me hear and practice that which I read in Your Word. Let Your love and the power available through the Holy Spirit infuse me with obedience. Thank You for Your love and grace that saves me. It’s in Your name that I pray, Amen.

Posted in Hiding His Word

Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart -Proverbs 10:19

Posted on by Melissa Lynne

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. ~ Proverbs 10:19

So what this says to me today: The more you talk, the more likely you are to cross the line and say the wrong thing or say something in the wrong way or hurt someone with your words; but if you are wise, you’ll have restraint, think before you speak and most likely speak less. Wise words sometimes hurt but they aren’t hurtful (if you know what I mean).