Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — November 2009
Proverbs 19 -- Correction Is A GOOD Thing
I read a lot about correction this morning - both about giving it and receiving it: "Listen to advice and accept correction, and in the end you will be wise." We need correction whenever our thoughts or actions begin to l
I read a lot about correction this morning - both about giving it and receiving it: "Listen to advice and accept correction, and in the end you will be wise." We need correction whenever our thoughts or actions begin to lead us away from God's desired path for our lives. If we fail to accept it and apply it, then we remain off the path.
The sidebar in my Bible today says, "Keep the highest standards for God in your thoughts AND actions." Likewise, in my commentary I read: "More than we know, apostasy has its seeds in moral failure. A man engages in some form of immorality, then instead of confessing and forsaking the sin, he turns away from the Christian faith and rages against the Lord. It is monstrous to charge the providence of God with the consequences of actions that He has forbidden."
How much better off we are to stay on God's path for our lives rather than constantly having to detour and find our way back. Verse 21 speaks of that: "People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord's plan will happen."
Father, help me to say no to thoughts that aren't of You. Let me never translate any ungodly thoughts into actions. Correct me when I'm off the path You've set for me. I don't know any reason why I'd purposefully create moral construction zones that cause me to detour from the path You've assigned for me. Give me the wisdom and understanding and strength to live in the way You want me to live.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The sidebar in my Bible today says, "Keep the highest standards for God in your thoughts AND actions." Likewise, in my commentary I read: "More than we know, apostasy has its seeds in moral failure. A man engages in some form of immorality, then instead of confessing and forsaking the sin, he turns away from the Christian faith and rages against the Lord. It is monstrous to charge the providence of God with the consequences of actions that He has forbidden."
How much better off we are to stay on God's path for our lives rather than constantly having to detour and find our way back. Verse 21 speaks of that: "People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord's plan will happen."
Father, help me to say no to thoughts that aren't of You. Let me never translate any ungodly thoughts into actions. Correct me when I'm off the path You've set for me. I don't know any reason why I'd purposefully create moral construction zones that cause me to detour from the path You've assigned for me. Give me the wisdom and understanding and strength to live in the way You want me to live.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 20 -- What's INSIDE
My concentration was broken this morning by several distractions with my boys plus concerns and prayers I've been lifting up for several dear friends. With all the distractions I almost didn't journal today, but then I remembered
My concentration was broken this morning by several distractions with my boys plus concerns and prayers I've been lifting up for several dear friends. With all the distractions I almost didn't journal today, but then I remembered that I always teach my Middle School guys that distractions are red-flags indicating God's wanting to teach something very important and Satan knows it, so he distracts us to prevent us from hearing it.
What I found this morning says so much about our inner selves that others never come to know. From my commentary:
Verse 1: When a person allows himself to develop a sinful habit or addiction, "he tries to shake it off, but he is held as if by chains. Christ gives power to break the chains, but first man must WANT deliverance."
Verse 5: "A man's thoughts and intentions are often hidden deeply in his mind. He will not generally bring them to the surface."
Verse 6: "There is a difference between what men are, and what they want others to think they are."
Verse 8: "Christ, with His all-seeing eyes, will see through pretense and sift all evidence."
Verse 9: "If a man thinks he is pure, he is a victim of pure delusion."
Verse 10: "God hates deceit ... it even includes the practice of demanding stricter standards from others than we do from ourselves."
In my Bible, verse 27 says, "The Lord looks deep inside people and searches through their thoughts." I'm afraid to think of what He'd say when He reviewed His search engine results from my thoughts sometimes. The sidebar, by Joni Eareckson Tada (a paralyzed diver) said, "My paralysis prevents me from reaching for the common temptations. That's why my spiritual battleground is on the field of my thoughts. I possess a very unlovely trait: I waste precious time in idle daydreams. I hate it because wasteful fantasies distract me from the real concerns of life, causing me to feel restless and dissatisfied with the way things are...."
Wow! And I'd never seen daydreaming as temptation! It sure puts all of God's words today in a whole new perspective.
Father, You know my thoughts, even before I think them. You know the ones that don't honor You and the ones that waste my time and cause me to feel restless, useless, overwhelmed, and dissatisfied. Please be Lord over my thought right now, Father. I want deliverance.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
What I found this morning says so much about our inner selves that others never come to know. From my commentary:
Verse 1: When a person allows himself to develop a sinful habit or addiction, "he tries to shake it off, but he is held as if by chains. Christ gives power to break the chains, but first man must WANT deliverance."
Verse 5: "A man's thoughts and intentions are often hidden deeply in his mind. He will not generally bring them to the surface."
Verse 6: "There is a difference between what men are, and what they want others to think they are."
Verse 8: "Christ, with His all-seeing eyes, will see through pretense and sift all evidence."
Verse 9: "If a man thinks he is pure, he is a victim of pure delusion."
Verse 10: "God hates deceit ... it even includes the practice of demanding stricter standards from others than we do from ourselves."
In my Bible, verse 27 says, "The Lord looks deep inside people and searches through their thoughts." I'm afraid to think of what He'd say when He reviewed His search engine results from my thoughts sometimes. The sidebar, by Joni Eareckson Tada (a paralyzed diver) said, "My paralysis prevents me from reaching for the common temptations. That's why my spiritual battleground is on the field of my thoughts. I possess a very unlovely trait: I waste precious time in idle daydreams. I hate it because wasteful fantasies distract me from the real concerns of life, causing me to feel restless and dissatisfied with the way things are...."
Wow! And I'd never seen daydreaming as temptation! It sure puts all of God's words today in a whole new perspective.
Father, You know my thoughts, even before I think them. You know the ones that don't honor You and the ones that waste my time and cause me to feel restless, useless, overwhelmed, and dissatisfied. Please be Lord over my thought right now, Father. I want deliverance.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 21 -- Wise Words To Our National Leaders
"The Lord can control a king's mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases." "There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the Lord." Father, we need our leaders in Was
"The Lord can control a king's mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases."
"There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the Lord."
Father, we need our leaders in Washington, D.C. to understand You clearly on these verses, and if they fail to understand, then we need You to control their minds and to direct this country back to You. Please make them fully understand that no wisdom, understanding, or advice that flies in the face of Your will can possibly win, and let them fear the consequences of working against You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the Lord."
Father, we need our leaders in Washington, D.C. to understand You clearly on these verses, and if they fail to understand, then we need You to control their minds and to direct this country back to You. Please make them fully understand that no wisdom, understanding, or advice that flies in the face of Your will can possibly win, and let them fear the consequences of working against You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 22 -- Raising Good Kids
Over the years I've worked with our youth, I've always felt that keeping the lines of communication open is one of the single most important things we can do. It helps them to experience unconditional love. In this chapter,
Over the years I've worked with our youth, I've always felt that keeping the lines of communication open is one of the single most important things we can do. It helps them to experience unconditional love. In this chapter, Solomon speaks of the importance of disciplining them, and when discipline is used, it is vitally important that we hold to this thought: "I love you, and I will always LOVE you. I may not like what you've done, but I still love you."
My commentary told of the rules that the mother of Charles and John Wesley used in raising her 17 kids:
Of verse 6, my commentary says, "It can encourage parents to train their children along the lines of their natural talents, rather than forcing them into professions or trades for which they have no native inclination."
As to letting children have their own way, it warns: "Children are born sinners and, when allowed to follow their own wishes, will naturally develop sinful habit responses ... such habit patterns become deep-seated when they have been ingrained in the child from the earliest days."
Verse 15 says, "Every child is full of foolishness." I always try to remember that, at heart, they are still just kids, but as the commentary stated, "Mischief and self-will are native to the heart of a child." As parents, God has given us the responsibility of teaching our children how to know Him, to see that His Word is truth for their lives, and to help them fade their self-will and become loving, giving adults who honor and glorify Him.
Father, my greatest lifework will be in raising and loving my sons, and I pray that You continue to impart Your wisdom in how best I can do that. Remind me often that they are both priceless treasures from You, and please help me to shape them into men after Your own heart.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
My commentary told of the rules that the mother of Charles and John Wesley used in raising her 17 kids:
- 1) Subdue self-will in a child
- 2) Teach him to pray as soon as he can speak
- 3) Give him nothing he cries for and only what is good for him if he asks politely
- 4) To prevent lying, punish no fault which is freely confessed, but never allow a rebellious, sinful act to go unnoticed
- 5) Commend and reward good behavior
- 6) Strictly observe all promises you have made to your child.
Of verse 6, my commentary says, "It can encourage parents to train their children along the lines of their natural talents, rather than forcing them into professions or trades for which they have no native inclination."
As to letting children have their own way, it warns: "Children are born sinners and, when allowed to follow their own wishes, will naturally develop sinful habit responses ... such habit patterns become deep-seated when they have been ingrained in the child from the earliest days."
Verse 15 says, "Every child is full of foolishness." I always try to remember that, at heart, they are still just kids, but as the commentary stated, "Mischief and self-will are native to the heart of a child." As parents, God has given us the responsibility of teaching our children how to know Him, to see that His Word is truth for their lives, and to help them fade their self-will and become loving, giving adults who honor and glorify Him.
Father, my greatest lifework will be in raising and loving my sons, and I pray that You continue to impart Your wisdom in how best I can do that. Remind me often that they are both priceless treasures from You, and please help me to shape them into men after Your own heart.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 23-24 -- Benefits Of Self-Control
Solomon writes about the importance of self-control. Twice in chapter 23 he urges "Control yourself..." It's amazing that we seek to control so much in our lives, but controlling ourselves is such a problem. Sol
Solomon writes about the importance of self-control. Twice in chapter 23 he urges "Control yourself..." It's amazing that we seek to control so much in our lives, but controlling ourselves is such a problem. Solomon mentioned controlling our appetites, both for food and for strong drink. He warns us to control our desire to get rich. (This from the wealthiest king Israel ever had.) We are to control our children - helping them to learn self-control.
What really spoke to me was what I read in commentary about 24:10 - "One test of a person's worth is how he behaves under pressure. If he gives up when the going is rough, he doesn't have what it takes." I think the old word was "fortitude", which speaks of being able to deny oneself in order to stay the course. That is perhaps one of the greatest traits we can instill in our children. It's what kept the soldiers going through the long days of World War II.
24:3-4 says, "It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong. It takes knowledge to fill a home with rare and beautiful treasures."
Father, I want Your wisdom. I want better self-control, both for me and for my sons. Thank You for giving me a good family. Give me the understanding to make it strong. Thank You for giving me two rare and beautiful treasures in my boys.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
What really spoke to me was what I read in commentary about 24:10 - "One test of a person's worth is how he behaves under pressure. If he gives up when the going is rough, he doesn't have what it takes." I think the old word was "fortitude", which speaks of being able to deny oneself in order to stay the course. That is perhaps one of the greatest traits we can instill in our children. It's what kept the soldiers going through the long days of World War II.
24:3-4 says, "It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong. It takes knowledge to fill a home with rare and beautiful treasures."
Father, I want Your wisdom. I want better self-control, both for me and for my sons. Thank You for giving me a good family. Give me the understanding to make it strong. Thank You for giving me two rare and beautiful treasures in my boys.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 25 -- Doing The Distasteful
Good words today about handling issues that arise with other people. Verse 9 starts, "If you have an argument with your neighbor ..." Considering that our neighbor is just about anyone, we could probably change the if to
Good words today about handling issues that arise with other people. Verse 9 starts, "If you have an argument with your neighbor ..." Considering that our neighbor is just about anyone, we could probably change the if to when. My commentary picks it up: "A little disagreement arises with some friends, and you have not the courage to go and speak about it to that friend alone, but mention it to another." Fear of confrontation is a very real problem, and one that I too often face. Yet here we see biblical advice that tells us it is much better to go and speak about it and work it out than to add a third or fourth party to the mix. My commentary continues, "Talking [with others] about a thing of this kind does no good, and in the end widens the breach." If we happen to find ourselves as the third party, we are to rebuke the first party "for not going directly to the offender," for that amounts to gossip.
Verse 15 speaks of gentleness and patience as being the key to persuasion, ad verses 21-22 speak of "overcoming evil with good by repaying every offense or discourtesy with a kindness," according to my commentary.
This is absolutely beyond what the normal human spirit is capable of doing. Yet when we give Jesus control over our lives, He can empower us through the Holy Spirit to do the impossible, for how we react is a witness of our relationship with Him, and a reflection of Him that poorly portrays Him is sin on our part.
Father, I know that I struggle with confrontation, and I know that I can make it much worse by involving others. Please strengthen me to do what I often consider distasteful, knowing that it is commanded in Your word.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Verse 15 speaks of gentleness and patience as being the key to persuasion, ad verses 21-22 speak of "overcoming evil with good by repaying every offense or discourtesy with a kindness," according to my commentary.
This is absolutely beyond what the normal human spirit is capable of doing. Yet when we give Jesus control over our lives, He can empower us through the Holy Spirit to do the impossible, for how we react is a witness of our relationship with Him, and a reflection of Him that poorly portrays Him is sin on our part.
Father, I know that I struggle with confrontation, and I know that I can make it much worse by involving others. Please strengthen me to do what I often consider distasteful, knowing that it is commanded in Your word.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 26 -- Negative People
Chapter 26 warns us about certain negative types of people who can hurt us: foolish people, lazy people, and gossipers. The bulk of the verses center on foolish people. We're told that sharp correction is the only languag
Chapter 26 warns us about certain negative types of people who can hurt us: foolish people, lazy people, and gossipers. The bulk of the verses center on foolish people. We're told that sharp correction is the only language fools seem to understand. But we're also told not to answer a fool - at least in a manner that will make us look foolish for engaging them. Yet we aren't to let their behavior go unrebuked! The multiple boundaries seem to indicate that we are walking on thin ice and this type of person is likely to cause harm to us no matter which way we go.
The lazy person isn't just hurting himself. The people who are having to take up the slack at work, or the ones having to pay the taxes which are used to provide money to keep such a person from becoming destitute will be suffering under the load. Office morale can diminish to the point that the laziness either infects others or rebellion sets in.
We can all be prone to gossip. While repeating it is definitely a sin, sometimes even listening to it can be as well, for such action can stir up thought and feelings toward those discussed, or the gossipers, that will cause us to manifest negative feelings in our lives as well.
My sidebar says, "If you can't help them change, detach yourself from people with negative attitudes." But what if we're the ones so infected? My sidebar continued, "If it were not for the restraining presence of the Spirit, you and I would be the personification of wickedness. No sin would be too extreme. No act of disobedience too rebellious ... Keep in mind that our old nature remains just as dark and depraved as theirs, even though the Spirit resides within us. Were it not for the presence of God's Spirit, our wickedness would know no bounds."
Realizing this, our only appropriate response, I think, should be ... mercy. "For there but by the grace of God go I." Since I have been shown grace and mercy, I need to show them to others as well.
Father, help me to love my family, my friends, and my coworkers enough to recognize negative traits that You want to remove. Be sure that You've led me to remove them in my own life, then help me to help them. I don't ever want to be seen as holier-than-them. Instead, let them see how You have changed me, and let them desire that change in their hearts as well.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The lazy person isn't just hurting himself. The people who are having to take up the slack at work, or the ones having to pay the taxes which are used to provide money to keep such a person from becoming destitute will be suffering under the load. Office morale can diminish to the point that the laziness either infects others or rebellion sets in.
We can all be prone to gossip. While repeating it is definitely a sin, sometimes even listening to it can be as well, for such action can stir up thought and feelings toward those discussed, or the gossipers, that will cause us to manifest negative feelings in our lives as well.
My sidebar says, "If you can't help them change, detach yourself from people with negative attitudes." But what if we're the ones so infected? My sidebar continued, "If it were not for the restraining presence of the Spirit, you and I would be the personification of wickedness. No sin would be too extreme. No act of disobedience too rebellious ... Keep in mind that our old nature remains just as dark and depraved as theirs, even though the Spirit resides within us. Were it not for the presence of God's Spirit, our wickedness would know no bounds."
Realizing this, our only appropriate response, I think, should be ... mercy. "For there but by the grace of God go I." Since I have been shown grace and mercy, I need to show them to others as well.
Father, help me to love my family, my friends, and my coworkers enough to recognize negative traits that You want to remove. Be sure that You've led me to remove them in my own life, then help me to help them. I don't ever want to be seen as holier-than-them. Instead, let them see how You have changed me, and let them desire that change in their hearts as well.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 27-28 The Slap Of A Friend
Friendship is a two-way street, Solomon shows in these chapters. Not only is loyalty an expected trait, but also honesty. Verses 5&6 of chapter 27 can cause us to flinch until we consider exactly that: "It is better
Friendship is a two-way street, Solomon shows in these chapters. Not only is loyalty an expected trait, but also honesty. Verses 5&6 of chapter 27 can cause us to flinch until we consider exactly that: "It is better to correct someone openly than to have love and not show it. The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you, but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies."
The slap of a friend? You bet! Who could be more loyal than a friend who recognizes we're heading down the wrong path and courageously gets our attention to stop us? For that friend realizes he may be jeopardizing the friendship, yet he'd rather that happen than losing the friend.
Something important here is the thought that correction shows love, NOT dislike. Too often we let our pride tell us to hate the one correcting us when we should be humbled by such an amazing display of loyalty and love.
Father, help me to be that kind of friend to others. Please keep me from feeling uncomfortable about confronting. Help me to understand deep within my soul that You may be using me as Your hands and feet in the lives of my friends. And when I am corrected, let me see it through eyes of love, NOT distrust.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
The slap of a friend? You bet! Who could be more loyal than a friend who recognizes we're heading down the wrong path and courageously gets our attention to stop us? For that friend realizes he may be jeopardizing the friendship, yet he'd rather that happen than losing the friend.
Something important here is the thought that correction shows love, NOT dislike. Too often we let our pride tell us to hate the one correcting us when we should be humbled by such an amazing display of loyalty and love.
Father, help me to be that kind of friend to others. Please keep me from feeling uncomfortable about confronting. Help me to understand deep within my soul that You may be using me as Your hands and feet in the lives of my friends. And when I am corrected, let me see it through eyes of love, NOT distrust.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 29 -- THAT Will Teach Me To Skip A Day!
Two days ago, I remember hoping that I could finish Proverbs by today. It seems that these short, pithy verses (I like to call them spiritual fortune cookies) don't tell a story and I'm a "story-kind-of-guy". Yet
Two days ago, I remember hoping that I could finish Proverbs by today. It seems that these short, pithy verses (I like to call them spiritual fortune cookies) don't tell a story and I'm a "story-kind-of-guy". Yet even today some of these short verses spoke volumes to me. I had quite a day yesterday, having to deal with a issue that caused me lots of anger and heartache - a stubborn refusal by my youngest son to admit that he was lying, even when presented with the evidence.
After reading today's verses, I wanted to ask God why He chose to show me these today rather than yesterday, BEFORE I needed them. Then sheepishly I remembered that, because it was Thanksgiving and I didn't have to go to work and I was way behind on sleep, I'd chosen to sleep in and not do a quiet time yesterday! He'd had it all planned out if I'd just cooperated!
These verses were perfect for the occasion, too:
"Whoever is stubborn after being corrected many times will suddenly be hurt beyond cure .... Evil people are trapped by their OWN sin ... Wise people calm anger down .... Foolish people lose their tempers, but wise people control theirs ... Correction and punishment make children wise, but those left alone will disgrace their mother .... Correct your children and you will be proud; they will give you satisfaction ... An angry person causes trouble; a person with a quick temper sins a lot ... Good people hate those who are dishonest, and the wicked hate those who are honest."
My sidebar, speaking of the nation of Israel, said, "Without restraint and discipline, SIN took over."
My commentary rubbed more salt on my wounds: "The idea of allowing anger to break out in an undisciplined manner by saying or doing whatever comes into mind, without weighing the consequences, without counting ten, without holding it back and quieting it, without hearing the WHOLE story is totally wrong."
But what probably hit me hardest was what it said about verses 19 and 23: "They [servants] may understand the master's instructions, but they don't always CARRY THEM OUT. Jesus said, "Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord' and not do the things which I say?" and "With foes and snares around me, and lusts and fears within, the grace that sought and found me, alone can keep me clean."
Father, forgive me for not reading Your word yesterday, and by failing to do so thus preventing a lot of heartache yesterday. Thank You for so adequately explaining to me how I can better react as I raise my sons. And thank You for once again reminding me of that haunting question by Jesus that shows me my own sin: "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" Through Your grace, remove my sin, Father. Help me WANT to obey more.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
After reading today's verses, I wanted to ask God why He chose to show me these today rather than yesterday, BEFORE I needed them. Then sheepishly I remembered that, because it was Thanksgiving and I didn't have to go to work and I was way behind on sleep, I'd chosen to sleep in and not do a quiet time yesterday! He'd had it all planned out if I'd just cooperated!
These verses were perfect for the occasion, too:
"Whoever is stubborn after being corrected many times will suddenly be hurt beyond cure .... Evil people are trapped by their OWN sin ... Wise people calm anger down .... Foolish people lose their tempers, but wise people control theirs ... Correction and punishment make children wise, but those left alone will disgrace their mother .... Correct your children and you will be proud; they will give you satisfaction ... An angry person causes trouble; a person with a quick temper sins a lot ... Good people hate those who are dishonest, and the wicked hate those who are honest."
My sidebar, speaking of the nation of Israel, said, "Without restraint and discipline, SIN took over."
My commentary rubbed more salt on my wounds: "The idea of allowing anger to break out in an undisciplined manner by saying or doing whatever comes into mind, without weighing the consequences, without counting ten, without holding it back and quieting it, without hearing the WHOLE story is totally wrong."
But what probably hit me hardest was what it said about verses 19 and 23: "They [servants] may understand the master's instructions, but they don't always CARRY THEM OUT. Jesus said, "Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord' and not do the things which I say?" and "With foes and snares around me, and lusts and fears within, the grace that sought and found me, alone can keep me clean."
Father, forgive me for not reading Your word yesterday, and by failing to do so thus preventing a lot of heartache yesterday. Thank You for so adequately explaining to me how I can better react as I raise my sons. And thank You for once again reminding me of that haunting question by Jesus that shows me my own sin: "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" Through Your grace, remove my sin, Father. Help me WANT to obey more.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Proverbs 30-31 A Wise Way To End The Book
Chapter 30 contains words penned by Agur. We know little about him, but he was wise enough to know his boundaries: "I have not learned to be wise, and I don't know much about God, the Holy One ... Every word of God is true
Chapter 30 contains words penned by Agur. We know little about him, but he was wise enough to know his boundaries:
"I have not learned to be wise, and I don't know much about God, the Holy One ... Every word of God is true .... I ask two things from You, Lord ... Keep me from lying and being dishonest. And don't make me either rich or poor; just give me enough food for each day."
Though I've studied God's word for many years, there is still so much I have to learn about Him. He wrote the Bible in such a way that, like a hologram, it sheds new light each time we read it. Our circumstances and perspectives may change the way it applies to our lives at the moment, but its words will forever be true. It's that freshness that keeps me wanting to learn more about my God. He is holy, and He's teaching me to seek out holiness as well.
Agur's short prayer is the only prayer in the entire book of Proverbs, yet how difficult we may find it to pray it ourselves. Sure, it's not tough to pray for honesty, but that includes honesty before God, and we, like Adam before us, often want to hide our sins from Him even though we know that He knows. And there's just enough greed in us to make us not want to pray that second part, too.
The sidebar today in my Bible says, "The intimacy of the Thou-I relationship we were created to experience with God requires the opening of our innermost being to Him just as He has revealed His innermost nature to us."
"Agur recognized that he did not have the power in himself to attain the knowledge of the Holy One," my commentary said. It takes God bending down and reaching out to us for us to have any hope at all of knowing Him, and He did just that through the birth of His Son.
Father, remind me to remain humble in learning about You. You are unfathomable. Yet show me more about You each day. Thank You for giving me the chance to know You, for I know I'd never be able to know You aside from Your opening Yourself up to me, a sinner. Thank You for doing that, Father. I love You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
"I have not learned to be wise, and I don't know much about God, the Holy One ... Every word of God is true .... I ask two things from You, Lord ... Keep me from lying and being dishonest. And don't make me either rich or poor; just give me enough food for each day."
Though I've studied God's word for many years, there is still so much I have to learn about Him. He wrote the Bible in such a way that, like a hologram, it sheds new light each time we read it. Our circumstances and perspectives may change the way it applies to our lives at the moment, but its words will forever be true. It's that freshness that keeps me wanting to learn more about my God. He is holy, and He's teaching me to seek out holiness as well.
Agur's short prayer is the only prayer in the entire book of Proverbs, yet how difficult we may find it to pray it ourselves. Sure, it's not tough to pray for honesty, but that includes honesty before God, and we, like Adam before us, often want to hide our sins from Him even though we know that He knows. And there's just enough greed in us to make us not want to pray that second part, too.
The sidebar today in my Bible says, "The intimacy of the Thou-I relationship we were created to experience with God requires the opening of our innermost being to Him just as He has revealed His innermost nature to us."
"Agur recognized that he did not have the power in himself to attain the knowledge of the Holy One," my commentary said. It takes God bending down and reaching out to us for us to have any hope at all of knowing Him, and He did just that through the birth of His Son.
Father, remind me to remain humble in learning about You. You are unfathomable. Yet show me more about You each day. Thank You for giving me the chance to know You, for I know I'd never be able to know You aside from Your opening Yourself up to me, a sinner. Thank You for doing that, Father. I love You!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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