If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.

Proverbs 27

If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. v9

This morning the key theme, is to seek wisdom from God alone.  In my view, inability to be "coachable" is either a sign that you lack confidence or that you are arrogant. I see it in my own son how he demonstrates a willingness to learn but often lacks the confidence that he will be able to.  Alternatively, I see in other people (and in myself from time to time) arrogance - which is resistance to instruction and wisdom when we feel we don't need it.  Of course, hogwash on this last item as we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  

God gives us confidence because we KNOW he loves us despite who we are.  He will meet us exactly where we are...in love.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God also wants us to be humble - we all must acknowledge our need for God and not be proud.

My Prayer; Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me exactly where I am - broken and all.  Thank You Jesus for being my firm foundation who never leaves me nor forsakes me and who never changes.  You will always love me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I am impatient with others and harsh with my thoughts and actions.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength and wisdom.  Give Lisa strength and wisdom.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  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.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. v8

As I reflect on my 50th birthday today and read this verse, I am thankful for the greatest gift of all time - Jesus Christ.  Without a doubt, Jesus is the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).  At the same time, I have experienced what David writes in verses 9-10:


Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle.  V9-10

 Arrogance is self-worship and this is dangerous - just ask Saul when Samuel tells him that God has rejected him as King:

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:23

I have been, more so than today, arrogant....and thankfully God has humbled me...and I know there is more humbling needed because none of us are where God needs us to be.

Help me have a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and recognize that "apart from You I have no good thing" (Psalm 16:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and patience for me...despite my arrogance...and despite my anger and impatience for others.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such patience, love, grace, compassion, etc.  My anger continues to burn as I lose my patience too easily.  Please forgive me!  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...please!  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 and radiation. 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.