Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
May 2003
May 2, 2003
Proverbs 2:7b says "....he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless."
Paul tells us that in Christ Jesus are hidden all the treasures of wisdom
)Colossians 2:3) and that He Himself is indeed our wisdom (I Corinthians
1:30). That's important information because, in the context of today's
scripture, 'wisdom' is the subject. Not the ultimately inoperative 'wisdom'
of this world or of those who will come to nothing (I Corinthians 2:6,7),
whose lives have been deprived of any real influence. But Christ, our
'wisdom'. Everything He is IN us becomes like a shield, a buckler on our
behalf. Like the tough skin of the crocodile serves as a defense for him,
so is Christ for those children of His who walk in integrity. One might
ask, "Just what do those 'blameless' children 'look' like?"
Well, they exercise a wisdom that is way beyond themselves (yes, because
Jesus is IN them). In the daily issues of life, they reveal unusual understanding.
Their good lives, dominated by wise, humble behavior, show clearly that
Wisdom is active in them (James 3:13). And, no wonder: the wisdom of the
wise, by God's grace, is that they constantly and vigilantly give careful
thought to their ways (Proverbs 14:8a).
Precious Shield and Defender, Your promise is that You will lavishly
bestow favor and honor and never withhold any good thing from those who
walk in integrity (Psalm 84:11). Help us to walk like that before You
today, through the wisdom of Him Who lives in us! Amen.
May 6, 2003
Proverbs 6:1 (NLT) says, "My son, if you cosign a loan for a friend
or guarantee the debt of someone you hardly know....."
An old Assyrian sage once said, "I have hauled sand, and carried
salt, but nothing is heavier than debt!" According to Solomon, to
mortgage oneself for someone else (i.e. to guarantee someone else's loan),
is a trap (verse 2) from which one is counseled to get out as quickly
as possible (verse 3); to plea bargain or to do whatever necessary to
extricate oneself from that unwise decision, regardless of one's emotions.
It is a sure way to lose a friend or to create added hardship to a life
most likely already filled with obligations which may have a person living
on the edge (Proverbs 11:15). To be brutally honest, Solomon says, "it
is poor judgment to cosign a friend's note, to become responsible for
a neighbor's debts" (Proverbs 17:18). How many well-meaning, loving,
concerned friends or neighbors have signed away clothes, homes, automobiles,
land, jewelry, or lost retirement or an opportunity to go to college,
or missed some other opportunity in life because they had made themselves
responsible for (consigned for) someone who maybe was totally sure they
could pay their debt, but failed to do so (Proverbs 27:13)!
Wise Father, teach us to live within our means. Guard us from careless
economic policies which may be promoting instant gratification versus
wisely living within our means. Make us to be responsible for our own
debts, to not burden others with interest on loans, and to not become
a creditor who may in turn lose everything based on a bad loan. It is
truly for Jesus' sake we pray this (Matthew 5:25,26). Amen.
May 8, 2003
Proverbs 8:2 (New Living Testament), speaking of God's wisdom which is
calling out to us all the time, says it does so "....on the hilltop
and at the crossroads..."
There are times in our lives when, in His grace, God allows us to get
to some kind of mountain top, a high hill of accomplishment. In that 'high'
place, we could look down with a sense of pride over what we've done.
We could easily be tempted to cherish inflated ideas of our own importance;
a feeling of success or superiority could overwhelm us. But, praise God!,
as Sovereign timing would have it, Wisdom (God) is there to bring us to
our senses, to bring us back into line. The Holy Spirit says, "Don't
think of yourself more highly than you ought (while you stand on this
hilltop), but think of yourself with sober judgment..." (Romans 12:3).
Or, we're at a crossroads in life, with possibilities for advancement
in either direction. We review our well-written, personal resume, which
is the closest most of us will ever come to 'perfection'. And, at that
critical, moral and spiritual crossroads, the Spirit of Wisdom once again
wisely counsels us, "clothe yourself with humility" (I Peter
5:5); remember that who you are, what you are, or what you are able to
do well is because of God's grace and great wisdom generously imparted
to you.
Wise Heavenly Father, teach us, teach us, teach us....so that we might
gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). In every decision in life, give
us ears to hear Your sweet, wise voice as You lead us in paths of righteousness.
For Your name's sake. Amen.
May 10, 2003
Proverbs 10:2 says "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness
delivers from death."
Committing a crime against civil law in order to become rich... people
do it all the time. Addicts endanger their own lives and that of others
to purchase illicit drugs on the street in order to feel 'rich' with the
'high' those drugs give them. Years ago, a man stole several million dollars,
got on a commercial flight, put on a parachute, ordered the door to be
opened....and in the darkness of night, out he went over the mountains
of western United States. I have my doubts that he lived happily ever
after! My goodness, what peace people forfeit just for riches! What needless
pain they bear! Solomon tells us that wealth (and for sure ill-gotten
wealth!) is absolutely worthless in the day of wrath (Proverbs 11:4).
All the boasting about riches; all the false hope that someone can buy
their way out when judgment comes: an exercise in futility (Psalm 49:6-10;
John 3:18). On the other hand, when a person puts their trust in the righteousness
which is theirs through faith in Christ's death on the cross, they pass
from death into life (John 5:24)! And, on the day of judgment, oh to be
found in Him, not having our own righteousness which comes from thievery,
dishonesty, or striving, but that which comes from God and is by faith
(Philippians 3:9)! That's deliverance from death!
Precious and Holy Father, thank You for revealing Your righteousness through
the gospel (Romans 1:17). Thank You for making it possible to receive
that righteousness for all who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22)!
How incredibly 'free' we feel knowing that there is no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:1). May we live in that glorious
freedom today! Amen.
May 12, 2003
Proverbs 12:3 says "A man cannot be established through wickedness,
but the righteous cannot be uprooted."
If only we could learn all the right lessons the first time around! Practicing
wickedness of any kind at any level of involvement never brings stability
or security. We humans are pretty good at feigning permanence. But, when
the cyclonic winds of storm come blowing in, the wicked, who are superficial
from the divine point of view, and who have no deep roots in anything
that's foundational or permanent, have been whirled away (Proverbs 10:25).
And when the dust settles, by God's grace, the righteous are still standing
on their lasting foundation. How? Because the Lord surrounds and protects
his people, both now and forever (Psalm 125:2). As Christ becomes more
and more at home in our hearts, our roots grow deeper into the soil of
His marvelous love (Ephesians 3:17). We draw our nourishment from Him.
We grow in faith. We become spiritually strong and vigorous in the truth
and in righteousness. And, we overflow with thanksgiving for all He has
done (Colossians 2:7). What an incredible truth: the righteous cannot
be uprooted!
Holy Father, with a clear conscience, may we keep a solid grip on these
deep truths of the faith (I Timothy 3:9). In Jesus' name, Amen.
May 14, 2003
Proverbs 22b says "....those who plan what is good find love and
faithfulness."
When all the work was finished which Solomon had done to build the magnificent
temple for the Lord, he blessed the people of Israel. He reminded them
that my father David had it in his heart (a good plan, to be sure!) to
build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. But the Lord
said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart (the plan) to build
a temple for my Name, you did well to have this (plan) in your heart'"
(II Chronicles 6:8). The Lord was pleased and blessed them with a promise
of His love and faithfulness (II Chron. 7:12-16). Of course, we now know
that the larger, more important plan had been God's, not David's. So,
He had Solomon, David's son, build the temple instead. Job knew what he
was saying: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours
can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). What joy it brings to our hearts to
make plans (Philippians 2:13) to do good, and to do them for God's good
pleasure! But we all know, don't we, that the greater plan is always His!
O Lord my God, many are the wonders you have done. The things you
planned for us no one can recount to you! Were I to speak and tell of
them, they would be too many to declare (Psalm 40:5)! I love you! Amen.
|
