There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 6

There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. v16-19

Bottom line: God hates sin:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

Yet at the same time, God loves all His children equally and all are deserving of grace, mercy, salvation in His eyes.

The notes in Jude 23 of the NIV version are helpful here:

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,^[a] but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.^[b] Jude 23

a. 22-23a Some manuscripts have only two categories of people: (1) those whose faith is wavering and therefore need to be snatched from the flames of judgment, and (2) those who need to be shown mercy.
b. 23b Greek with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

The suggestion is that those who sin need to be saved (non believers) or be shown mercy (believers).  Sin should be greeted with judgement, not certainly by humans as judgement is reserved for God alone - see also James 4:11-12 (although God provides guidance in Matthew 18:15-17 for how to deal with sin in the church).

I am in the camp that we are to love - never does it say hate anyone and we need to be careful about how we interpret "hate the sin" because I believe we are to hate sin in relation to protecting OURSELVES from sin.  With respect to others, we are to love others as Jesus loves us (John 13:34-35).

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

This last scriptural reference is consistent with Jesus' reference to the greatest commands (Matthew 22:37-40).

My Prayer: Lord God what a great God You are!  You are worthy of my praise and worship.  You are so full of mercy and grace for me even though I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my laziness and my sloth.  Help me overcome my desire for comfort and serve You and others.  Help me turn away from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

Proverbs 5

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. v18

Solomon warns husbands to avoid the lure of adulterous women.  He expands on the treasure of wives in both Proverbs 18 and 31.

The New Living Translation is particularly helpful to emphasize the treasure wives are to their husbands: 

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 31:10

The remaining verses in Proverbs 31 are devoted to the treasure of a virtuous and capable wife:

Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.  She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.  She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

 
She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.  Her husband is well known at the city gates where he sits with the other civic leaders.  She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.  She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her:“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world but you surpass them all!”Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. Proverbs 31:11-31

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with a wife that is TRULY a blessing and a treasure!  Thank You Jesus for Lisa.  What a great blessing and great God You are.  I am not worth such blessing...I often am not the husband You desire for me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. v20-23

Proverbs 4

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. v20-23

So far, what I have been reading and studying in Proverbs has focused on the blessings that flow from our desire to gain God's wisdom - to get to know Him better and to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12:2). This morning the focus is on how God's word must be in our heart because "everything you do flows from it".  The question is how do we get the word in our heart?  We start with a "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6).  We go to God daily, and meditate on God's words day and night.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

My Prayer: What a God You are!  You were before and created all things, are in all things and hold all things together.  You protect me, You save me, and You continue to be full of mercy, compassion, patience, etc. for me even though I know I am undeserving!  Thank You Jesus for Your love and the many blessings You pour out for me.  Please forgive me for my lack of grace and patience for others.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. v7

Solomon encourages us to pursue God above all else.  Although he states wisdom, we know that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.  We must understand that our faith will cost us something.  The number one command (Exodus 20:3-4, Matthew 22:37-40) is to love God and to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  

When we pursue God above all else, there is a cost.  Solomon refers to this cost as "all you have].  Elsewhere in scripture we see this cost:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew:20:26-28

Yet our earthly loss pales in comparison to the riches of Jesus Christ.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  Philippians 3:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You gave up Your life for me and You ask that I do the same in the sense that I must be prepared to transform my heart and life to become more like in Your thoughts and ways so that I may glorify You in all that I do because that is why exist.  I am thankful that You would allow me to be Your ambassador!  I am not worthy.  I am broken and in need of Your forgiveness.  For my worry, stress, impatience, arrogance, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

Proverbs 3

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. v27

Needs can be visible and less visible (although rarely invisible).  Whether it is a physical or emotional need, there are needs all around us and it is important to be both aware and attentive to the needs around us.  In our family, in our neighborhood, at work, at church, etc. we must see everyone as God sees them as worthy of a savior as we are.  

The good referred to in today's verse can be encouragement, fellowship, or it can be kindness in any number of ways - physical needs, etc.

See also posts from:
1 John 3
Jude 1

In particular, this morning the following verse pricks my heart:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who came not to be served but to serve.  You serve me every day and You suffered and died for me....and You continue to pour out Your love, compassion, patience, mercy, etc. for me even though I am totally undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my worry and my stress.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

Proverbs 3

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. v13-14

Wisdom based on God's word through study, prayer, reflection, silence, etc. is indeed profitable. I can say this based on my own life experiencing life change as only Jesus can do.  Jesus, in the Beatitudes, gives us this same promise:


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Mathew 5:6

We must also remain in Him.  Not only because we can do nothing without Him, but because we hope to avoid getting thrown into the fire.


“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:5-6

 Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God full of love, compassion, mercy, patience, etc. I am so deeply thankful that I have a God so great!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of such efforts.  I continue to fall down...in my arrogance, pride, and with my worry.  Please forgive me Jesus - help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin..and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. v11-12

I have had difficulties in my life and nearly all of the time I don't think of the difficult times as training, or that God is refining me by removing sin or impurities.  Accepting discipline or punishment as training or refining can only be done by renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) because it is not an earthly way (Isaiah 55:8).

For seeing discipline as training, see also Psalm 119:71, Hebrews 12:5-6, Revelation 3:19. 

For more on the refiner's fire, see also here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are without a doubt, an awesome God - full of love, mercy, compassion, etc.  I know I am deserving of the many, many second chances You give me.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for not being the man You intend for me, for my anger and impatience, which continues to rage on.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.   Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Proverbs 3

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. v9-10

In James 1, we are referred to as God's firstfruits:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18

In the same verses, James reminds us that all good and perfect gifts are from God (see also Colossians 1:16-18).

God wants us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1).  When we submit our lives over to God, we no longer live but God lives in us (Galatians 2:20).  As such we belong to Christ (Paul refers to himself as a servant of Christ in Romans 1:1) and everything was created by and for God and should desire to honor God as Proverbs 3:9-10 encourage us to do.

We should be cheerful (see also 2 Corinthians 9:7)- this is an indication that we desire to honor God.

My Prayer: God, I know I belong to You, I have been created by You and for You, and that all good things come from You.  I know You want me to be cheerful and You want me to offer myself and my life as a living sacrifice.  That is my hope and prayer.  You are a great God and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve and again I know it comes solely from You.  Thank You Jesus - I am undeserving.  I often fail to live for You.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

Proverbs 3

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. v7

As I posted yesterday, and last Wednesday, God is the source of beginning and source all wisdom and knowledge.  We must remain humble that whatever skills, intelligence, etc. we may have it is because God has given this to us and that we are to remain humble and use it for God's glory.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are that You created and are before and in all things and You hold all things together.  I know whatever gifts I have come from You and all that is in my possession came from You and belong to You. I belong to You and I exist to glorify You.  Thank You for the many blessings You provide!  I am not worth such love and blessing because I often think and act for myself.  Please forgive me Jesus for my selfishness.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. v5-6

As I have started my study of Proverbs, I am finding there are many promises about how love and fear of God and His Word will bless us. Today is slightly different in the sense that we are warned to avoid trusting in ourselves - such arrogance and hubris will only get us in trouble.  God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge and if we have a hunger and thirst for righteousness we will be filled (Matthew 5:6).  Today we read that if we trust in Him with all of our heart and avoid arrogance and hubris God will make our paths straight.  Yet one thing we should consider is that God never promises a life of comfort for us and we don't know what is in store for us.  In fact, Jesus tells us that we WILL have trouble:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Proverbs is a source of wisdom but we must understand Proverbs in the context of the entire Bible.  This reference indicates that relative to other books of the Bible, Proverbs is to be seen as wise sayings and guidelines not so much law or commandments.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are the source of all wisdom and knowledge.  I can do no good things without You.  You direct my path.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet often I worry and stress and I desire to do things my way and I often act on my own understanding and impulses.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin.  Help me turn towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.

Proverbs 2

Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. v20

As a follow up to yesterday's post, I received this great promise from God.  Because I exist to glorify God, I must have a desire to "walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous".  When I have a desire such as this, I will seek out and hunger for God. 

God please help deepen my desire for You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of knowledge and wisdom that I cannot attain - I know Your thoughts are not my thoughts and I know my ways are not Your ways - You are God and You don't need me, nor do You need my worship or my offerings.  Yet You came to save me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and stress.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Proverbs 2

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. v1-5

Key here in my view are verses 3-5 where Solomon encourages his son - wisely - to seek out insight and understanding and to look for it with great desire as if it is the most valuable of all treasures.  Solomon, in chapter 1, rightly points out that "...fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (verse 7).  

In John 1 it says:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John 1:1-3

God is not only the source of all knowledge and wisdom, He is the source of "all good and perfect things":

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Why would we not hunger after God with Him being so valuable?


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

My Prayer: Jesus, You are valuable beyond what words can describe.  You HAVE blessed me beyond what earthly riches can provide - thank You Jesus!  I AM blessed and I AM filled.  Yet I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry, I stress, and I am filled with pride, rage, etc.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[B]ut whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Proverbs 1

[B]ut whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” v33

God promises to protect us, provide peace of mind, and to fill us with wisdom if we approach Him in fear and with humility.

Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. v23

Lord help me empty myself of my desires...renew my mind and transform my heart and life.  Make me more like You. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You are the source of all wisdom and knowledge.  All good and perfect things are from You.  Thank You for blessing me with Your wisdom and Your Word.  I am not worth such love.  I often put my thoughts and desires above Yours.  Please forgive me. Help me repent and turn from such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 1

Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. v19

Peter, like Solomon, encourages us to be alert for Satan and those reject God:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Sin separates us from God and only Jesus, through our confession and through our turning away from the sin towards God (by drawing near to Him and building up a desire for Him that can help us protect ourselves from sin and temptation).

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  Ephesians 2:13

Paul also encourages us to "not yoke" ourselves with unbelievers in the sense that we should avoid closeness with those who are enslaved to sin to the point where such closeness becomes an undue influence on us.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? 2 Corinthians 6:14

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me...You protect me from sin and guide a path for me.  Thank You Jesus for Your love, protection, and direction...and so much more.  I am not worth such love.  I am broken with my sin of stress and worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. v7

If I love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and I love others as myself (and as Jesus does), then I will surely fear the Lord. With such desire for God, He promises much including from the Beatitudes:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

I also know that God will direct my thoughts and ways and by staying near to Him I will better understand the path He wants me to take in all things.


Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God, full of love, compassion, mercy, wisdom, knowledge...and You know have a plan for me that is awesome; one that glorifies You and is good for me.  Thank You for all that You are for me - You are my God and I am Your son.  I love You and I know You love me.  I am nothing without You and I know that no good thing is possible without You.  I stress and I worry too much - I should not.  Forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. v6

Over the past week or so, many of the posts have focused on how we exist to glorify God.  Today, the message I hear from God is that God is worthy of a praise that comes from all lips and with all of our energies.  He is a great God and there is no equal - the one and only true God.  

As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’ Romans 14:11 (Isaiah 45:23)

In Romans the context is that we should live to glorify God now because "we will all stand before God’s judgment seat." Romans 14:10

We should praise God because:

1. That is why we exist
2. He is worthy of our praise
3. He commands us to (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:37-40)

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE worthy of my praise and the praise of all people in all times.  You created all things, are before and in all things, and hold all things together.  You are full of compassion, love, patience, mercy, etc. even though I am not deserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my worry, my selfishness, etc.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Psalm 149

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. v4

Humility is very important - we must not allow our plans, our desires, our selfishness, or our ambition to be what people see in us.  We must deny ourselves and allow Jesus to be seen in us - others must see in us the Light that is Jesus Christ.

Also key to this verse is that we race for crown that is not of this world - we should strive for glory and victory for Jesus.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Jesus, please help me be humble so that I can run the race You set before me and run it to win the crown that lasts forever. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, compassion, patience, etc. for me, even though I am not deserving. Thank You Jesus for Your love and great mercy.  I often fail to love others as You do.   Please forgive me and help me overcome my lack of trust and faith.  Help me overcome my unbelief!  Help me turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Psalm 148

And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. v14

I know I am close to God's heart, and I know I exist to glorify God.  I know God strengthens me and sent His Son Jesus (The Horn of Salvation) to save me from the sting of sin and death.  I know God wants me to love Him with all of my heart, soul, and mind; and to love others as He loves me.  I know that God wants me to depend on Him for all things and through this dependence on Him we allow Him the glory for what He does in our lives.

See also post here.

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:11

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.   1 Corinthians 10:31-33

John 15:16

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God worthy of my praise and full attention.  You provide for all of my needs...and you strengthen me...You are the Horn...My Strength and the One and Only True God.  Thank You Jesus for being my God and for adopting me as Your son.  I desperately need You in my life to cleanse my sins.  I worry too much.  Please forgive me. Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

[T]he Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Psalm 147

[T]he Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. v11

We exist to glorify God.


Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. Psalm 60:21

So HOW do we glorify God?  

We glorify God by 
- loving, respecting and fearing (out of respect) Him.
- praise and worship (see also posts here)
- putting our hope and trust in Him (peace, prayer)
- serving Him and others

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love, compassion, mercy, patience, etc. for me even though I know I am not who You intend me to be.  Thank You Jesus for how You bless me but please forgive me for my worry and stress.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever.

Psalm 146

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. v5-6

Yet another promise from the One who always keeps His promises.  I do find my hope in God, but sometimes this hope wavers.  Remaining close to God through confession, study of God's word, prayer, etc. are critical!  He IS faithful forever!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for all needs and who is faithful forever!  I can do no good things without You.  Thank You for Your many blessings that I am unable to count!  I am not worthy of all of these blessings. I worry and my hope wavers.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Psalm 146

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. v3

We are tempted, in this world, to place our hope in ourselves, in others, in financial security, etc.  These are all idols and we are commanded to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:37-40).

Other places in scripture also tell us that, like it does in today's verse, worship of self or others will not save - see also posts here, here and here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, full of love and compassion for me even though I am not deserving.  Thank You Jesus.  I need You desperately, to save me and to forgive me from my sins and to save me from the sting of sin and death.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. v18

We all need God (Romans 3:23) and we should all develop a desire to be close to Him, under His care and protection.  God provides for all of our needs (Hebrews 1:3) and He has a plan for us, not to harm us but to prosper us, for hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  We just need to call on Him - to be our Savior, to forgive our sins, to answer our prayers and shoulder our burdens...for everything.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  That You are near to me when I call - I know this!  Thank You Jesus.  I need You desperately because I am broken without You.  I worry, I am full of anger, selfishness, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 145

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. v8-9

Even as I am full of anxiousness and worry, God is there.  God is there.  I may place distance between myself and God with my sin (Matthew 6:25) but He is slow to anger, rich in love, and full of compassion.  He wants me to run to His arms to ask forgiveness - just like the prodigal son did with his father.  God came to cleanse me of my sins.  Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a gracious God, full of love and compassion for me...even when I sin.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my worry and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 145

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. v3-4

As a father I am commanded to instruct my children in the ways of the Lord.  I know I had frustrations growing up and biblical instructions and setting an example of biblical manhood address these frustrations.

Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

 

My Prayer:  Lord, You have instructed me like no other person can.  You do not exasperate me...instead You provide and lift me up...You direct my steps and hold my life together.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry...I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.