Blog Entries tagged 'wisdom'

Learn The Hard Way

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

While the child can not speak, they understand the word completely...

Jeremiah 43:1-13

Reference: v.4 So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord's command to stay in the land of Judah. (NIV Bible)

Explore: It starts at a very young age. The child has just learned to walk and they are keen to touch everything and anything they can get their hands on. When they reach for something dangerous or breakable you can hear an adult say firmly, 'No!... No!' While the child can not speak, they understand the word completely... and yet they still reach out to touch the object. I'd love to say this kind of behaviour is left behind with the toddlers however we see it happening again and again throughout our own lives. People give us advice and instruction and yet we would rather learn the hard way and take matters in to our own hands.

Application: The people who had been left behind in Judah had seen their fellow people taken in to exile thus witnessing the truth behind Jeremiah's warning and the consequences of their disobedience to God. And yet they still decided not to heed Jeremiah's warning and obey God. They decided to learn the hard way and not learn from the experience of others. The great thing about reading the Bible is that we have so many stories of God and those who believe in Him that we can learn from many different people. We can hear about God's forgiveness, we can read about people's choices and we are given wisdom to be applied to our everyday life. Then the decision is ours: do we learn the hard way and try it all ourselves, or do we heed the wisdom that is given and put it in to practice in our own lives?

Prayer: Lord, we are so independent that we like to learn everything on our own. This often leads to us learning the hard way. Thank You for being patient with us and continuing to offer us Your never-ending grace. Amen.

What is the best piece of wisdom you have been given?

Room For Improvement

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It was hard to believe that someone who was in charge of numerous employees could be so stupid.

Jeremiah 40:1-16

Reference: v.16 But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanan son of Kareah, "Don't do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true." (NIV Bible)

Explore: I recently had a close mate who changed jobs because his boss was treating him unfairly. I would often hear stories from my mate about the way his boss spoke to him, treated him in front of his colleagues and never congratulated him for work well done. It was hard to believe that someone who was in charge of numerous employees could be so stupid. Due to his lack of wisdom and people skills he was losing some of his best employees every couple of months.

Application: My mate's situation reminded me that just because someone is placed in a position of power it does not mean they have all it takes to fulfil their position successfully. To be fair, we are all on a journey of learning and development, however each person needs to be willing to learn from their mistakes and aim to improve with the next situation. Gedaliah was given a place of great importance after the Babylonians had conquered the people of Judah. However, when he was given some advice and assistance he was not wise enough to look in to it and didn't protect himself. This ended in a rather disastrous way for Gedaliah, worse than my mate's boss losing a few employees! Whatever position we have in life, there is always room for improvement. We can always learn new ways of doing things and better ways to communicate with people. It we are open to learning and taking advice from others then we will continue to improve in our work as well as our personal life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the responsibilities we have in our life. Help us to be open to learn new ways so that we can become wiser with our decisions and actions. Amen.

What responsibilities do you have? Do you have a mentor or coach who can assist you in improving?

I Told You So

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

While I would not class myself as a prophet, I could foresee what was going to happen if my daughter did not listen to my advice.

Jeremiah 39:1-18

Reference: v.12 "Take him and look after him; don't harm him but do for him whatever he asks." (NIV Bible)

Explore: We have just started producing some basil and lettuce from our new vegetable garden. While we are enjoying the fruits of our labour there is more in our garden than we can eat ourselves. So a week or so ago my daughter had asked if we could drop some of our produce off at one of her friend's house. As her friend lives near my daughter's work I had suggested that we pop in one day before her shift at work. The next time my daughter worked I told her that we would need to leave at 5pm if we were to go to her friend's and still get her to work on time. Due to poor time management and leaving everything to the last minute, my daughter was not ready at 5pm and hadn't even picked the produce from the garden. We ended up leaving at 5:15 - which would have been the normal time we left for her to get to work. I explained in the car that if we were to go to her friends house that she would be late for work. She tried to convince me otherwise but, because I was a little more time-savvy I held to my beliefs. I told her that the choice was hers. I could drop her straight off at work and she would get there on time or we could go around to her friend's house but she would then run late for work. Still convinced that I was wrong, my daughter decided that we would have enough time to do both and so we headed off to her friend's house. After delivering the produce and having a quick chat to the family we headed off to her work only to arrive 15 minutes late. My daughter was flustered and in a hurry and worried that her boss would tell her off as she was running so late. It was not enjoyable for me to think that she would be in trouble from her boss but it was also important for my daughter to learn that the choices that she makes do have consequences and sometimes it's wise to listen to other people.

Application: While I would not class myself as a prophet, I could foresee what was going to happen if my daughter did not listen to my advice. In a more major way, Jeremiah the prophet was also giving the people of Judah advice and could see what the consequences of their actions would be. It was not an easy job for Jeremiah. His task was to speak of impending disaster and tell everyone he knew that they were doing the wrong thing. Due to the fact that no one likes to be told they are wrong, people had made a lot of trouble for Jeremiah and his task was a heavy burden to carry. 39 chapters later and we finally see some reward for Jeremiah. You can read at the start of this chapter and hear the kind of torture that could have been delivered to Jeremiah. But instead we hear that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, instructs his men to look after him. Jeremiah could definitely have held his head high as the words he had spoken from God had come true. However, I think that his prophetic words coming true would have been bitter sweet. Yes, he had been proven correct but the consequences for his people were devastating. It is important for us to speak [...]

Impossible Questions

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Which ever way I look at it, this seems an impossible question.

Deuteronomy 29:1-29

Reference: v.29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. (NIV Bible)

Explore: If God can do everything can He create a rock so heavy that even He can't lift it? Hmmm, this is a tricky question. On the one hand I believe that God can create all things and so, yes He could create an incredibly heavy rock. But on the other hand I believe that God can do all things so there would not be a rock that He can't lift. Whichever way I look at it, this seems an impossible question. While God creating a heavy rock isn't all that important, there are other questions we have in our lives that can seem just as baffling. Why does God allow faithful people to get cancer? How can God really listen to my prayers when other people are praying at exactly the same time? Does God really know what's going to happen in the future, and if so where does my free will come in to that?

Application: I'm sure you can think of many other mysteries of God. Some of these questions are important for us to explore and yet we all sit with the understanding that God is so great that we will never be able to fully comprehend Him. There are 'secret things that belong to the Lord' and our human brains will never be able to get around them. On the one hand this can be frustrating for those of us who like to know all the details. On the other hand this is refreshing to know that the God we worship has more power, more knowledge, more strength, and more love and that we will never reach it's end.

Prayer: Lord, you are beyond our understanding. But You have shown us again and again that You love us so much. May we live in that understanding. Amen.

What is a question about God that you struggle to comprehend?

Bible Wisdom

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Of course no one would want to stone the boy and so Craig would question whether they really believed what was written in the Bible.

Deuteronomy 21:1-23

Reference: v.18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him... (NIV Bible)

Explore: The Chaser is a satirical news team who aim to bring comedy to contemporary issues. They tend to push the boundaries during each of their TV show series and have offended many people in the process. I'm not an avid follower however the other day I saw one of their most recent clips. One of the team, Craig, was in America with a young boy posing to be his son. Craig had a Bible and was asking passing Americans if they believed what was written within. If they said yes then he would drag his 'son' over to them and tell them he'd been disobedient so could they please stone him - referring to this passage in Deuteronomy. Of course no one would want to stone the boy and so Craig would question whether they really believed what was written in the Bible. They only focussed on a few people passing by who struggled to believe that such an instruction was written in the Bible. And yet Craig had it written in black and white.

Application: As we read through Deuteronomy, and a number of Old Testament books, we see many laws and instructions of how God had commanded His people to live. Some can easily translate in to our lives today, however there are others that seem so removed from our cultural norms. The challenge is what we do with all these commands today? To say they were only relevant back in the day when the Israelites were heading towards the Promised Land is maybe a bit flippant. However to say that every word from the Bible should be directly transferable to 2009 is maybe a bit naive.
I guess we need to remember that God's wisdom was not just dispersed to those who wrote scripture but is also readily available to us today. Stoning someone's son because he uses bad language is a no-brainer as to whether it is wisdom from God. However, if we are trying to discern something that is less obvious it is important to reflect on passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament as well as praying today that God would open our eyes to what is best in His eyes. God is still alive today and desires to be in relationship with us. He is there for us to help direct our paths and to give us wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, there are certainly some difficult decisions that we have to make in our lives. Open our eyes to see Your truth today. Amen.

How have you gone about discerning God's wisdom in your life today?

Lost In Translation

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I think it is great that a passage written about the ideal wife is constructed in such a complex but creative way.

Proverbs 31:1-31

Reference: v.10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. (NIV Bible)

Explore: From verse 10 onwards this final chapter of Proverbs is actually written as an acrostic where each verse begins with a successive letter from the Hebrew alphabet. We don't pick that up when it is translated into English but the original was written in this poetic way. While translations have helped people of many nations to know more of the wisdom and majesty of our God, we can miss some of the beauty and play-on-words that were written in to the original text.

Application: I think it is great that a passage written about the ideal wife is constructed in such a complex but creative way. It's like the very structure of the writing also resembles the character of a wife. Women span the whole spectrum of diversity but we are all made to bring honour to God.
The whole book of Proverbs teaches us how to live wisely and fully. It sets ideals that we know are good but that could overwhelm us as they seem difficult to fulfill everyday. Don't let this high standard make you give up, but as you live each day may Proverbs give you the guidance and instruction to honour God in all you do.

Prayer: Lord, we can always find someone else that is better than us. Help us not to focus on them but just to strive to honour You. Amen.

Do you find you are striving to live up to someone else's expectations? Who is it that God is calling you to be?

I Pity Da Fool

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

While Mr T is quite a strong character I never realised how Biblical he was!!

Proverbs 26:1-28

Reference: v.9
Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Mr T is an American actor who plays a tough guy with a big heart. To those who grew up in the 80s, they'll know Mr T from his roles in the 'A-Team' and 'Rocky III'. For those who grew up in the '00s, they'll know him as the tough guy in the Snickers advertisements. While Mr T's roles have changed slightly his character and sayings have stayed the same: "I pity da fool!" Mr T can not stand people who are foolish. He even hosted an instructional video instilling positive values in to children so they would not grow up to be a fool.

Application: While Mr T is quite a strong character I never realised how Biblical he was!! As I read through the book of Proverbs, and particularly the 26th chapter, it seems like Godly wisdom also pities the fool. It is pretty blunt about how useless a fool can be. Thousands of years ago they said it like this: 'Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool' (verse 7). However today we would say, "As useful as a screen door on a submarine." (There are a few other similar sayings, but I thought I would stick with this one!) If we desire to live a life worthy of God's calling then we need to veer away from foolish behaviour. It's not just Mr T who despises foolishness but the Bible warns as clearly away from it too.

Prayer: Lord, you give us life, talents, resources and guidance. So often we make foolish decisions and waste what you have given to us. May we hear your wisdom and apply it to our lives. Amen.

Where have foolish thoughts and ideas crept in to your life? Who can you talk to about rectifying foolish behaviours?

Simple Commonsense

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Often we need to be reminded of the importance of following this simple commonsense.

Proverbs 10:1-32

Reference: v.4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (NIV Bible)

Explore: If I told you that it is better to bring your washing in off the line before it rains, rather than waiting until it had started raining, you would think that I was a simpleton! It doesn't take a brain surgeon to work out that bringing your washing in before it gets wet again is the best thing to do. However, often if I am feeling lazy or I get pre-occupied doing something else, I wont bring my washing in at the opportune time only to discover half an hour later that it has started raining and my washing is no longer dry! If I had have followed the simple commonsense path then my day would be less frustrating.

Application: Proberbs is a book that is filled with a great deal of simple commonsense. It's not incredibly unusual wisdom that you have never thought of before. Often it gives simple instructions that will lead you to a better life. The reason it takes up one of the 66 books in the Bible is that often we need to be reminded of the importance of following this simple commonsense. Bringing my washing in off the line before it rains is not that crucial. However, the wisdom contained in Proverbs can be life-changing.

Prayer: Lord, You have give us so much wisdom within Your Word. May we hold it in our hearts so that our lives may be transformed. Amen.

What is some commonsense that you know but you find it difficult to follow?

Sounds The Same

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

It sounded like a baby crying and it was coming from just outside my bedroom window.

Proverbs 9:1-18

Reference: v.4 & 16 "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. (NIV Bible)

Explore: One night I was suddenly woken by a noise. The sound almost threw me from my sleep, so much so that I thought maybe it had only been a dream. However, as I lay motionless, listening intently, I heard the noise again. It sounded like a baby crying and it was coming from just outside my bedroom window. 'No, that can't be right,' I thought. And so I searched my brain for anything else that would make that sound in the middle of the night. Nothing came to mind, so I lay very still to have the sound confirmed... yes, there is was again. Just on the other side of my window there must be a baby. I started to think of who would drop a baby outside my window during the night and just as I was about to jump out of bed I heard a different sound... "meow". It was the neighbour's cat. All along it had been the neighbours cat! I don't know whether the initial sound was a mating call or protecting it's territory, however it had sounded exactly like a baby crying! While the sounds had been the same, the reality was quite different to my original thought.

Application: Two people who initially sound the same are Wisdom and Folly. In Proverbs 9 we are introduced to them both and their introductory statement is exactly the same. Each one is inviting those who are of simple minds to come to them. They both sound the same however the reality is quite different. While one bring life the other leads to death. Although they may start of seeming similiar, their reality is poles apart.
We must be discerning when we follow a particular path. Is it Wisdom we are following or did it just sound like Wisdom in the beginning? It's scary to see how similar they can initially sound, however it shouldn't take long before we can see the difference in the pathways. It's not too late to turn around and gain the true wisdom. It will take sacrifices but it will be worth it.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes we feel so deeply intrenched in a particular pathway we have taken we can't seem to see a way out, even though we know it will not lead to life. Open a door so that we may see the options that you bring. Amen.

When has Wisdom and Folly sounded the same in your experience?

Employing Wisdom

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

If you were on the interviewing panel then you would cancel all other appointments, you've found the best applicant!

Proverbs 8:1-36

Reference: v.19 My (wisdom's) fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I've got a number of friends looking for new jobs at the moment. It's often a really difficult time as there are so many unknowns for the near future. One of the worst things about applying for jobs is writing resumes and job applications. You want to present yourself in the best possible light, however you also need to be realistic in being able to live up to your potential employer's expectations. There are some people who write about themselves so glowingly that when they get to the interview they only disappoint the interviewing panel. However, those who don't express their skill and potential well enough wont even get to the interview stage. It's challenging to find the right line to take.

Application: In Proverbs 8 we get Wisdom's resume, and it's good! Wisdom leaves us without any doubt that we should be employing wisdom straight away. Wisdom is better than earthly possessions, was there at Creation, is behind all good and powerful decisions, and is found by all those who seek wisdom. If you were on the interviewing panel then you would cancel all other appointments, you've found the best applicant! And yet, so often we put wisdom aside and employ other thoughts and actions. Instead of putting on wisdom we put on pride, arrogance, lust, foolishness and hatred. We need to be reminded of why wisdom is the best one to employ. We may not receive earthly treasure or peer recommendation, but if we employ wisdom in our lives we will 'receive favour from the Lord.'

Prayer: Lord, so often the things of this world dazzle us and appeal to our desires. Help us to always look to wisdom rather than things that will rot and fade away. Amen.

What area of your life could do with employing more wisdom?

Fastened Around Your Neck

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Placing the cross chain around my neck each morning has become quite a symbolic moment for me to begin my day.

Proverbs 6:1-35

Reference: v.21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. (NIV Bible)

Explore: When I was ordained as a Churches of Christ minister my parents gave me a gold cross hanging from a necklace. As we don't have any official religious uniform in Churches of Christ, they thought that I could wear the necklace when I was performing my official duties. While my parents initial thought was for me to wear the cross necklace just for special ceremonies, I have found myself wearing it nearly every day. Placing it around my neck each morning has become quite a symbolic moment for me to begin my day. As the cross sits at the nape of my neck I know that other people will see it, and so it is like I am putting my faith on public display each new day. Now, just because I wear a cross does not make me a good Christian. However the act of fastening the clasp around my neck is a daily reminder of who I am, who I have come from and who I strive to be.

Application: When the author is speaking of fastening something around a neck he is not talking about gold ornamentation. He is talking about the wisdom from parents. This too is something that we should wear each and every new day. Wisdom is not just something you get one day and then that's it for the rest of your life. Wisdom is a life-long journey that we need to constantly be taking initiative and acting upon each and every day. There are some days when it will seem like we have left our wisdom at home and we will act out of emotion or greed rather than considered thought. That does not mean that all is lost. We just need to continue to work at binding wisdom upon our hearts and wearing it anew each day.

Prayer: Lord, You gave Your whole life to bring us closer to You. Sometimes we forget to even give you five minutes in the day. Forgive us Lord. May we strive to know You more and more. Amen.

Do you have something to remind you each day of the importance of your faith?

Get What You Pay For

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We don't want to learn things the hard way, just tell us the basics and we'll make do.

Proverbs 4:1-27

Reference: v.7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Whenever people are making a big puchasing decision they usually all want the same thing: the best product for the lowest price. Whether it's a phone, TV, car or house we all want to end up with the ultimate product but to get it for an absolute bargain. However, usually it's only the dodgy products that are cheap and the good quality items that hold a hefty price tag.

Application: We can often come with the same attitude when it comes to wisdom and understanding. We don't want to learn things the hard way, just tell us the basics and we'll make do. However Proverbs tells us something different. The writer outlines how essential it is for us to have wisdom and understanding, to the extent that if it cost you everything to obtain it, it would still be worthwhile. It seems like even with wisdom you get what you pay for. If you are willing to give your life over to obtaining wisdom, you will receive a good life. However, if you only put in 50% then that will reflect in your outcome. While great products with all the bells and whistles may seem appealing, wisdom and understanding are the true things to aim for.

Prayer: Lord, so often we want to obtain things the quickest, easiest and cheapest way. We soon learn that that method does not always bring quality. Help us to aim for a great quality of life, gaining wisdom and understanding from You. Amen.

In what areas of your life are you trying to get a bargain, when really you need to put in more of your life savings?

Problem Solving

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

As we talk out our problems with others it can often help us clarify what the true issue is.

Proverbs 3:1-35

Reference: v.5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (NIV Bible)

Explore: When trouble calls, where do you go? Most people have a subconscious strategy of what they do when times get tough. My first port of call would be my husband. If something is affecting me then it's bound to affect him too. Next would probably be my parents. I know! I'm 30 years old and still calling my Mummy and Daddy! But my parents know me very well, they are great listeners when I need to vent and they often bring the wisdom of time and maturity that I have not yet acquired. Only then would I actually start to be proactive about my current situation and begin to work my way towards a solution.

Application: It is great to have people to whom we can rely on. As we talk out our problems with others it can often help us clarify what the true issue is. However, where does God factor in to our problem solving? So often we try to resolve things on our own and when it doesn't work we finally decide that maybe we should get God involved. It's like we bring in the big guns right at the end. He's our secret weapon that we only need to reveal once all the other strategies have failed. And yet that is not the way of wisdom that we hear from Proverbs. Instead of leaning on our own understanding we need to trust God and hand everything over to Him... right from the start! Yes, it's good and important to talk to others about our issues but let's not leave God right until the last moment.

Prayer: Lord, often we can be so stubborn that we try to accomplish everything in our own strength. May we grow more reliant on You. Amen.

What are your problem solving strategies? Where does God come into it?

It's My Decision

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Amidst all the bodily changes of teenagehood they are then confronted with many decisions: which career? take drugs? have sex? study hard? eat well?

Proverbs 2:1-22

Reference: v.1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you...

Explore: Working and living with teenagers can bring many interesting times. They are often full of life, creative, imaginative, exploring new technologies, humorous and out-going. However, there often lurks beneath the surface a darker side too. We all know about it because we've been there before. Being an adolescent can be such a tricky time of life as each person goes through the rollercoaster ride of hormones and emotions. Amidst all the bodily changes they are then confronted with many decisions: which career? take drugs? have sex? study hard? eat well? And make all these decisions with only one and a half decades of life experience! Being a teenager can be a tough gig.

Application: Parents, teachers and friends often look on teenagers with mixed emotions, one of them being slight helplessness as they all know there is only so much they can do. In the end the teenager is the only one who can make the decisions for themselves. Those around can share advice and wisdom but the decision is their own. I hear that angst coming through in the writings of Proverbs. It's a parent wanting to share wisdom with their child, it's a God wanting to share wisdom with their disciples. The pages before us in Proverbs are filled with great insight and helpful instruction, but in the end it all comes down to our decision. No matter how powerful the words that are written are, it is still up to us whether we heed the wisdom and follow that Godly path.

Prayer: Lord, You have offered us much wisdom through the Scriptures and through the life of Your Son. Help us to take note and make the right decisions so that we will follow 'every good path'. Amen.

What are some words of wisdom that you were told that has helped you?

What's Your Point?

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

If I have not already thought through a story or an anecdote I will waffle through giving way too many details so that by the time I get to the punchline there is very little punch.

Proverbs 1:1-33

Reference: v.2 (Proverbs is) for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I can often be a messy rambler. If I have not already thought through a story or an anecdote I will waffle through giving way too many details so that by the time I get to the punchline there is very little punch. I'm sure you have sat through many stories, presentations and work meetings filled with people who speak similarly. You start with good intentions to pay attention and listen out for the purpose of the speech but after 20 minutes of, "I met with the client on Tuesday... no, maybe it was Wednesday... actually it was just after I'd had my lunch meeting with the CEO... oh no, that was another client..." you tend to lose patience. If people can not work out the point of a story, lecture or meeting then they will be less likely to stay attentive to the very end.

Application: When Solomon was writing the Proverbs he set out his point right from the very start: this was to be a book of wisdom. As a wise writer he explains at the very beginning what you can expect when you read through Proverbs. For someone who tends to just start at the beginning of a Bible book and read through, without a great deal of background research, these first verses gives me a great heads-up on what Solomon's point for this book is. I hope that as we read through Proverbs, some of Solomon's writing wisdom will rub off on my story telling!

Prayer: Lord, Solomon asked for wisdom and You gave it to him generously. May we now learn from the wisdom he received from You. Amen.

Communication is crucial as we convey God's message to the world. What is your best form of communication?

Bigger Picture

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We can only see a small piece of our life-puzzle and we're not really sure how it's going to fit or how it will contribute to the bigger picture.

Genesis 45:1-28

Reference: v.5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. (NIV Bible)

Explore: The most annoying part in doing a jigsaw puzzle is sorting out all the pieces at the beginning. The edge pieces going in this pile, the blue pieces going in that pile... Even with a smaller 500 piece puzzle this process can feel like it's taking forever! When you sort the pieces you have to keep each pile fairly general as you are never really sure of where the piece may be located within the puzzle. A blue piece could be a part of the water, the sky, the boat, the house, the flowers and so on. You have to wait until you find other matching blue pieces so that you can put them together. Then you need to look at the picture on the box to see where those pieces fit into the bigger picture.
That can be a little bit like life sometimes. We can only see a small piece of our life-puzzle and we're not really sure how it's going to fit or how it will contribute to the bigger picture. But after you slot a few pieces together you can sometimes stop and see how they could fit into the whole picture. Usually this will only happen once a few pieces of the life-puzzle have come together.

Application: Joseph had many pieces to his life-puzzle. I'm sure as he was a servant in Potiphar's house he was wondering how this would fit into the bigger picture. I'm sure that when he was living in the dungeons of Pharaoh for years he was confused how his life-puzzle had included such a dreaded piece. And yet, when he finally revealed himself to his brothers, Joseph was able to see with great clarity his position in the bigger picture. He was able to see that everything he went through - rejection, betrayal, slavery, imprisonment - was all part of the journey that led him to save lives during the current famine. We may not always understand why particular situations happen in our lives but often when we get to the end of a particular journey we can look back and see how God has used each piece of the puzzle to create a beautiful picture.

Prayer: Lord, we don't always see the bigger picture, but we trust that You do. Help us to rely on You during the dark pieces and to rejoice with you during the bright pieces. Amen.

What does your life-puzzle look like at the moment? Are you holding a dark piece or a bright piece? Where does it fit into your bigger picture?

Monkey Bars Advice

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:00:00 +0100

Go through theological study like you are going across a monkey bars apparatus...

2 Thessalonians 2.1-17

Reference: v.2 ...(we ask you) not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. (NIV Bible)

Explore: As I was exploring my Theological training ten years ago, I was given some very good advice. You see, when you start to explore what people say about God and the scriptures you will find all sorts of conclusions and suggestions are made. It is then up to the reader to discern for themselves how that fits into their faith. As some people explore further and further they can sometimes find that they totally lose their way. They get to a point where they don't know what to believe and so can be tempted to throw their whole faith away. So I didn't go down that destructive path, the advice I was given was this: Go through theological study like you are going across a monkey bars apparatus. When you move along the apparatus you don't let go of one beam before you have a decent grip on the next one. Likewise, don't let go of one element of your faith until you have a decent grasp on the new understanding.

Application: In life there will be many different views presented on certain issues of faith or understandings of God. You don't have to go to theological college to hear new ideas presented. It is good to explore new things and expand our view of God. But it is also good to take the Monkey Bars advice. Don't let go of a part of your faith until you have a good grasp on the new idea presented. That way, when issues arise you don't find yourself holding on to broken bars that will just make you tumble to the ground.

Prayer: Lord, you are so far beyond our imagination. If we studied you each and every day we would still not reach the depths of all that you are. Open our minds to You so that we may continue to marvel at how great you are. Amen.

What helpful advice have you received?

Sacred Moments

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

It was one of those conversations that I term as 'sacred moments'. You know those moments, where you know that something deep is being said than just the words spoken.

1 Kings 13.1-10

Reference: v.1 By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I often wish that God would speak to me directly. There are very few occasions where I have felt that God has spoken words directly into my life. Recently I was struggling to discern where my future path should lead. I got to a really low point and cried out to God, asking him to tell me what to do. I heard nothing but silence. A while later I ended up calling my parents. My father answered and I talked to him of my struggles. He helped me to see where God had been present in my past and how that could help me for my future. It was one of those conversations that I term as 'sacred moments'. You know those moments, where you know that something deep is being said than just the words spoken. It was in that sacred moment where I was able to hear God's voice and felt confident in my future decisions. God doesn't just put words in our minds, He can also use others to help deliver his wisdom.

Application: Whenever we experience such 'sacred moments' we still have a choice whether to respond or not. God created us with free will and he does not take that away from us. We may be able to discern his wisdom but it is still up to us to make the decision. Jeroboam experienced the power and the grace of God but was still not willing to obey him. If we are in close relationship with God his presence will be made known to us. Sometimes we have to wait longer than we would like, but God does hear our cry. When He responds we need to be willing to continue to go through the journey, knowing that following God does not mean everything will be smooth sailing.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes your path seems more difficult, but I guess I'm not telling you anything you don't already know! Help me to have the strength and the courage to continue in Your ways. Amen.

When have you experienced God's 'sacred moments'?

Big Decisions

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

I hate making big decisions. I'm fine with all the every day small decisions...but it's the big, life-changing decisions that I struggle with.

1 Kings 12.1-24

Reference: v.8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. (NIV Bible)

Explore: I hate making big decisions. I'm fine with all the every day small decisions like what time we should leave, what email should I respond to first, what should I have for lunch etc. But it's the big, life-changing decisions that I struggle with. If I do come to the point where I have to make one of these big decisions I find myself talking through the issues with some trusted friends and I'll go for walks and pray about the options and their consequences. I've found it more challenging when my friends and family support me no matter what and I realise no matter what I decide that God will still love me, so the choice is solely mine.
Rehoboam had a big choice to make as he started out as king. He consulted a variety of people, but in the end he was the one who had to make the call.

Application: In Rehoboam's case we can see that he clearly made the wrong choice. However, often there's not a right and wrong choice to make. Our decisions are usually a number of options that just lead us in a different direction. I think it would be easier if there was just the 'right' path and the 'wrong' path. But it's usually more the case of being 'this' way or 'that' way. Recently, when I was confronted with one of these big decisions I was comforted in the knowledge that no matter what I did and where I went God would always be there for me. Even if we do happen to take that 'wrong' path, we can always rely on God to be beside us each step of the way. It doesn't make the decision making any easier, but it does bring hope to whatever future we decide.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for fulfilling your promise to always be there for us. Help us to draw from your wisdom in our time of decision making. Amen.

What strategies do you find helpful when you are confronted with a big decision?

Hindsight Is A Wonderful Thing

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0100

The words of wisdom that flow from my mind after an event would make it into a presidential speech!

1 Kings 9.1-9

Reference: v.3a The Lord said to him: 'I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me.' (NIV Bible)

Explore: Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Whenever I replay a previous argument over in my head I always think of much better rebuttal. The words of wisdom that flow from my mind after an event would make it into a presidential speech! However the moment is past and I just look back at what could have been. Isn't it frustrating that we often have to wait until the moment has passed to see whether we were wise or foolish?!
There have been numerous times this year where I have sought the voice of God. I am an impatient person who likes an instant response. Unfortunately God doesn't bow to my requests as quickly as I would desire!

Application: It's often not until after the situation that we can look back and see God's hand at work. God is not bound by our time. And often he has started to respond before we even ask the question, we just don't see it because we are looking in the wrong direction. But when we look back we can see that in hindsight, God has answered our cry.
Personally, I find this hindsight vision of God very frustrating. However, it is usually due to my blindness that I do not see God in the first place. The more I learn more about God and how he has made me, the more I am able to discern the best way I should turn. If we are regularly looking back to see God's movement in our lives then we are more likely to see where He may be directing our future. When a big issue comes up we want to see God instantly. God is there, He is listening but His response is not always where we expect it. Therefore we must have faith and trust that God will move and be diligent in searching for His voice.

Prayer: Lord, you are often a God of mystery. The more I know you the more I realise I do not know! And yet there is on truth that we can hold on to dearly: you promise to always be there for us. Thank you for your dedication to us when we rarely deserve it. Amen.

What helps you to discern God's wisdom in making decisions?