Tag: wisdom

Sweet Sleep

Proverbs 3:24

When was the last time you had a good night’s rest? Can you recall a moment when you laid in bed, forgot about all your worries, and cast all your cares upon the Lord? In the book of Proverbs, king Solomon taught his sons the importance of finding wisdom, and getting understanding, because doing so would ensure life to the soul, grace to the neck, safe pathways, and a solid foundation from which to grow stronger in the Lord. Life is hard, and times get tough, but when we give our troubles to the Lord, He’ll give us wisdom to navigate through them. So, don’t worry about the things you can’t change, nor the situations beyond your control. Instead, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, and sleep in peace. “When thy liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”

Payback!

Psalm 116

“What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” (vs. 12). Is it possible, for a man or woman to repay God for all the good things He has done in their lives? Is there an amount of money, prayers, or vows we can present to God, in exchange for His bountiful dealings? There’s nothing man can do to pay God back for anything He does for them. The Bible mentions in 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he first loved us.” God created man, in order to bless them. Unfortunately, sin threw a wrench in the perfect plan of God, causing men to lose faith, and eventually turn away from Him. But, in His everlasting grace and mercy, the Lord, God almighty, extends His love and blessings to all who turn back to Him, and commit themselves to doing His will.

Keep Hope Alive!

Isaiah 6:1-5

The world has reached an unprecedented level of spiritual immorality. The Bible records instances when God judged entire nations of people harshly, for going against His commands, and entertaining profane and blasphemous behaviors. God hates sin, and gives no place for it, but men today seem to have literally lost their moral compass, and given in to all manner of evil and wickedness. Even some who claim to be children of God, have been tossed about, and soiled by false doctrines, causing them to walk not after the Spirit, but after the flesh. In the midst of living in a world where holiness has seemingly lost its relevance, the body of Christ must not lose sight of the thrice holy God. God is holy, meaning He is pure, morally perfect, and righteous, and He expects the same behavior to be represented by those who have been redeemed, and set free from sin. In those moments when we begin to lose sight of how immensely powerful and perfect God is, take a second to graze through the Bible, and build your faith and hope on the eternal, and all-knowing Father. The world can be a scary sight to behold at times, but knowing who holds the world in their hand, should restore the confidence many who trust in Him may have lost.

A Piece Of Peace

Psalm 66

How do we find peace, in a world overrun with chaos and confusion? Where do we go, to escape the trials of life, if only for a moment. One thing I’ve learned, and truly belive is, pressure bursts pipes. When air or water fills a pipe, with no way for it to be released, eventually that pipe will break, and all the air and water trapped inside will burst out in multiple directions. This would indeed be a dangerous situation to deal with, but more importantly, many people have experienced this same “explosion” taking place in their own lives.

Living today, as in times passed, we endure seasons of suffering. Whether our suffering is related to physical, mental, or even monetary issues, all men will face situations that will push them to the brink of breakdown. So, how do we find a piece of peace, when it seems so far away? Some result to habits (drinking, smoking, gambling, fishing, etc.) in order to find peace, but the peace that surpasses all human understanding only comes from God.

Rather than look for natural ways to find peace in your life, try following king David’s example in our text. Although the “man after God’s own heart” was far from perfect, he knew the only way to experience real peace was to shift his focus from his problems and past mistakes, and invest most of his time giving glory, honor, and praise to the name of his Lord. This may seem unconventional to those who are babes in biblical learning, but consider all king David experienced, and take note of how he maintained a righteous lifestyle with God, despite his shortcomings. Rather than make his problems bigger than God, He placed God above all his life’s experiences.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves worrying and complaining about our struggles, and this causes us to stress and wallow in misery. But, if we change our perspective, as David did, and make God bigger than our worries, He’ll give us peace to endure, and overcome those things that seemed to weigh us down. Be encouraged, and don’t allow your past, present, or potential future to cause you to fear. Instead, seek God, make His name glorious, then allow Him to pour out His peace into your heart, as you grow from your struggle, and move on to the next chapter on your journey.

A Difficult Marriage

(Excerpts from TC3 Church)

Those who marry will have troubles. That’s what Paul told the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 7:28). Even the best couples can struggle to protect their marriage vows. But what happens when marriage troubles become unbearable? Is there a point at which couples should end a bad marriage? Or is there hope for something better? Walk through the following steps as you prayerfully evaluate your situation.

Unfortunately, many marriages end today over troubles that could have been overcome. University of Texas researcher Norval Glenn has found that divorces today are often blamed on problems such as “lack of commitment,” “too much conflict and arguing,” “unrealistic expectations” and “lack of preparation.” These are problems that both husband and wife can and should work to overcome. Despite what friends, family or popular culture might say, these issues are no reason to end a marriage – especially in light of the serious long-term impact of divorce on your children.

Major trouble occurs when someone either abuses or abandons their role in a marriage – when they break faith with their spouse and violate their vows. While God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), He permits it for marital unfaithfulness (Matthew 19:1-8). In God’s grace, He allows, but does not command, men and women whose spouses have been unfaithful to start over. However, God is in the business of helping couples redeem what many would see as a hopeless situation. “Even marriages that have faced one or more of the big ‘A’s – abuse, affairs or addictions – can be saved.” If your relationship is marked by physical or severe emotional abuse, you may find yourself confused, frightened and unsure about what to do. The most important thing you can do right now is take steps to protect yourself and your children from harm.

Even if you want to save your marriage, you should not risk the safety of your children or yourself. A period of structured and therapeutic separation may be needed and can make it possible for you to get the help your marriage needs while making your family less vulnerable.

Whatever situation you’re in, don’t struggle through a difficult marriage alone. You need the Lord like never before. He is eager to hear your prayers and walk this journey with you. Whether you are praying together or praying for your marriage alone, the power of prayer can make all the difference. You also need the church body like never before – for perspective and advice, counseling and encouragement, and hope for God’s redemption.

https://real-life.tc3.church/felt-needs/difficult-marriage/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8-f2vYyQ9wIVV-TICh3yWAN5EAAYBCAAEgKxhPD_BwE

Be… So That God Can Do…

Various Scriptures

Oftentimes, we pray to God, seek His face, and hope for change in our lives, but we hardly see immediate results. Most of the time, all we have to do is, be who God called us to be, so that He can do what He promised to do for His people.

Love the Lord… and he will preserve you.
-Psalm 31:23

Be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart…
-Psalm 31:24

Delight in the LORD, and will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
-Psalm 37:34

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
-Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
-Matthew 5:3-11

In your daily living, be who you were called to be, so that God can do what He promised He would do.

Promises Fulfilled

Luke 5:12-13

“Lord, if thou wilt…
… make me clean
… remove my burden
… heal my blood issue
… revive my daughter
… heal my leprosy
… make me whole
… restore my soul
… avenge me of my adversary
… blot out my transgressions
… purge me with hyssop
… help my unbelief
… keep me safe
… guard my heart
… bless my soul
… grant me favor in thy sight
… give me a sign
… prove your love
… be my strong rock
… hear my prayer
… lift up my head
… fight for me
… shield me from mine enemies
… give me wisdom
… preserve my future
… lead me
… guide me
… direct my path
… teach me your ways
… bless my children
… guide the works of my hand
… humble me
… keep me as the apple of your eye
… hide me under the shadow of your wings
“…I will.”

Natural Vs. Technological

Jeremiah 27:5

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm…”

Sitting by the water, trying to understand some verses of scripture I read, I looked into the sky, then saw a bird, and an airplane flying directly over my head simultaneously. Immediately, I considered God’s beautiful, and natural creation, in contrast to man’s inventions. God made all things very good, and has sustained His creation for thousands of years. Man, through God’s wisdom, has developed countless technological advancements that can only mimic what God originally set in motion. Man cannot fly like the birds of the air, so they made airplanes to soar through the skies, in order to travel from place to place without restriction. Fish can swim at various depths of the sea, but man can’t withstand the pressures at lower levels. For this reason, the submarine was invented, so that men could traverse the deep waters of God’s great oceans. Man can only imitate, what God spoke into existence, so all should honor and appreciate the mighty God of all creation, and His magnificent handiwork.