If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to
all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. - James 1:5
The post “System of Wisdom” presented ideas for
becoming informed. Like in the song
Word of God Speak by MercyMe, the Word
of God speaks to us with wisdom from up high that rains down on earth and
collects in the reservoir of our heart and mind.
The wisdom we gain from God’s
Word from our experiences and from each other brings us knowledge and
understanding. Let us take this wisdom, bind it on our finger tips, and write down
what we learn in the tablet of our heart.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come
forth as gold. - Job 23:10
As the post “There is Freedom in Wisdom” points out,
good things happen if you listen to those with experience, follow instructions,
and prepare. If plans don’t totally work out, wisdom gives you a sense of
freedom to improvise and tweak the kinks.
Some of the greatest plays ever
in the game of football happened when the initial plan didn’t work out. Think
of a quarterback that goes back to pass only to be blitzed by the defensive
team. He decides to run the ball away from the blitz for either a first down or
even a touchdown.
It’s the same in the game of
life. Take inspiration from today’s song Unfinished
by Mandisa. Life is not easy as negatives blitz us from all sides and we
all can get down or discouraged but God’s Work in us may not be done. If He
started something good, just keep believing it and keep working it until He
completes it.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do
what pleases Him. - Philippians 2:13
The post “Wellbeing for Daily Living” laid out the effects
of wisdom and discretion in your life. The results are courage, confidence,
efficiency, health, safety, peace, riches, and honor. The things to be desired
in our daily living.
What God gives in a plan for
life is a treasure and the more you lose yourself in this plan, the more desire
and power you will have. Take inspiration from the song My Desire by Jeremy Camp and desire to
let God work in you for His purpose today.
It is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has
shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in
the face of Jesus Christ. – 2
Corinthians 4:6
A thought from the post “Gaining Wisdom for Life” is that the more
good information you can gather, the better decisions you can make. This is the
main reason God had Solomon write Proverbs so you have wisdom and instructions
for life.
One benefit of Google Maps is
that you can use street views when planning out a trip to places that you’ve never
been before. It’s kind of like visualizing the future so that things are
planned out in your mind; what turns will be needed, what signs to look for,
and the assurance that you are going to where you need to go.
Proverbs is our Google Map on the journey of life. A lie the world tells us is
to do things your way but the best way is to work with others, accept the help
God gives in Christ, and accept the obvious as truth.
This day will be amazing because
God helps you plan the right things for your day and things fall into place for
an amazing day. Take inspiration from the song Good, Good Father by Chris Tomlin and
believe the pathway set before you will lead to where you want to go.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish,
and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much
fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. - John 15:7-8
As posted in “Order and Patience” about the tent of
meeting, the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day and a fire was in
the cloud by night. When the cloud lifted, they knew to set out on their travels
so it was like the Holy Spirit guiding the Israelites.
Today, this power known as the
Holy Spirit is given to all that have committed
to following Christ. Take inspiration from the song Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong as you
set out on your journey today.
I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to
do. – John 17:4
In the post “Detailed Instructions”, are thoughts about
the specific instructions for the offerings made in order to consecrate
priests. Today, we identify with Christ as our sin offering and the ultimate
sacrifice for our sins. Since Christ came and died on the Cross, we have a
direct relationship with God.
By accepting Christ into our
life; taking note of His teachings and by reading God’s Word, we get specific
instructions in how to live. Reading
God’s word is much like hunting or fishing because we have to be patient,
quite, and focused as we search for our daily spiritual food.
My grandfather loved to hunt. He
had dogs that he trained for the purpose of finding raccoons. They would smell
the trail and follow. Usually this led to a big tree where the raccoon would
climb to the very top. Along the way, the dog would bark until you could then
hear a different bark. It was a very excited bark in the same location and
there was bark after bark after bark. When the hunter heard this bark, he knew the
dog had the raccoon cornered.
Like these trained dogs of my
grandfather, we trail what we are passionate about for our Master. As a person
of faith, we find great truths that provide spiritual food and share these
truths with others. Here is a truth to share today in a song: Stop the World by Matthew West. This
day with God, remember that He is listening and is pleased when we have done
our job for Him.
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding,
that you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge. - Proverbs
5:1-2
There was great detail given as
to how the tabernacle would be furnished as pointed out in the post “Specific
Details”. The need to attend to great detail is also needed in life because
sometimes the margin for error is so minuet. One little thing can get us off
track.
Working with computer systems,
one wrong code entry or data tag can throw things off and it’s hard to find
what the issue is. With so many updates and changes that take place within a
computer system, it’s easy to bring a system down and many times hard to find
the solution to get it going again.
The good thing about Christianity
is that God’s principles never change. A daily devotional time internalizes His
guiding principles so they become an instrument which pushes us to focus on Him
in every activity throughout our day.
The Tabernacle as mentioned in
the post “Specific Details” would be the
dwelling place of God. Because of Christ, our bodies are the dwelling place or
Temple of God and as in the song Christ
In Me by Jeremy Camp, Christ in us lights up the Temple.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s
Spirit lives in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16
Reading in Exodus
25, a tabernacle was to be built according to exact instructions. The post
“A Sanctuary for God to Dwell” pointed
out that this tabernacle would be the place in which God would dwell.
Also pointed out was that
because of Christ, we are each God’s Temple and His Spirit dwells within us. We
can get ready for the challenge of each day by going to the ONE who created it
all and passionately stirring each other up to boldly step ahead.
There are many reasons that some
may worry in life; a job with unreasonable demands or trying to get through a
difficult class in school among other things but all that matters is doing our
best and trusting God. So live life with passion, with initiative, and gain
momentum by getting ready for each day.
As the song One Step Away by Casting Crowns points
out, we are never alone and we can go to the ONE whose arms are wide open and
cast away all our anxieties.
The Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their ancestors,
and they took possession of it and settled there. – Joshua 21:43
As brought out in the post “Follow Instructions”, God is continually
requiring His people to follow instructions and when they follow, He is
faithful to fulfill His promises just as in the scripture at the top of this
post.
As His people, we sometimes get
complacent and instead of continually seeking His excellence, we give in to the
negatives promoted by the enemy. Everyone needs God's grace and once received,
one can gain wisdom to live the way life is meant to be lived.
Take some time to look back on
life and write notes to your younger
self. Here’s a video to inspire: Dear
Younger Me by MercyMe. Take these notes to not only help provide a brighter
path for your own future but to share with others so their future path is much
brighter too!
As explained in the post Rely on God’s Word, the instructions we get
from the world many times no longer work or maybe never did work. On the other
hand, the instructions we find in God’s Word are golden; always perfect with instructions
on how to live.
God’s words are golden and the
words we use are also very valuable and powerful. Today’s video is about how important
words are as they can build up or tear down or lead others to God: Words – Hawk Nelson.
Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened
faltering knees. - Job 4:4
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. - Philippians 2:13
In the post Go to Him in Prayer Early in the Morning,
David was under distress and made this prayer written out in Psalm 5. David
could go to God in confidence because of his close relationship to the ONE who
is most powerful and has all the answers.
There are many challenges we
face in life and it is best to go to God for instructions because He can make
the instructions clear so we can follow with precision. He can give the exact
thought or idea to try and also the desire to carry it out.
So if you are searching for a
solution to some issue, start with God. Here is today’s inspirational video: Need You Now - Plumb.
Written about are instructions from Jesus on how we should pray in the
post The Model Prayer. There are basic needs we have each day that we
can ask in prayer. Ask it in Jesus name as pointed out in today’s video: Your Great Name – Natalie Grant.
So I say to you: Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to
the one who knocks; the door will be opened. - Luke 11:9-10
In my study of applying our faith, I wrote the
following poem:
Steps to Take
Start each day out right
Each morning see the light
Tell God your need
He will help to proceed
Pray with confidence
And expect assistance
Listen for instructions
Then take actions
If plans need adjustment
Pray even more fervent
Know that He is with you
All the way through
This week, I finish my study of applying faith with some ideas at this
link: Tools for the Journey.
For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey by clicking on the like button at the facebook link below, following on twitter, or following my daily devotional called "This Day with God":
