Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” – (28:26)

Observation: Such wisdom in today’s verse! Trusting in oneself can be quite dangerous! Why? Because we are so often led by emotions, and our feelings can be very unreliable. On the flip side, this proverb tells us that if we walk in wisdom, whatever we face, we can walk confidently.

Application: Jeremiah 17:9 explains why trusting our own heart (feelings and emotions) is hazardous. It states, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” I know in my past, there have been times where I have been quick to reach conclusions because of how I felt, only to find out that my feelings were not accurate at all! It’s not easy to back pedal and do damage control! To have employed wisdom and taken the time to evaluate the situation before acting would have saved me a lot of trouble!

If we want to walk wisely, we need to search the Scriptures. God is the source of all wisdom, and He will liberally give it to all who ask Him for it. By acquiring godly wisdom, we will save ourselves a lot of heartache in life. Here are three verses that tell how we can have wisdom in our lives.

1. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10
2. “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6
3. “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.” – Job 28:20,23

The wisdom of God is infallible. If we follow His Word, we can be assured that we will be walking in the path of His righteousness, and we will not be disappointed in the outcome. God wants what is best for us, and He gives us the direction we need to achieve the best in the Scriptures. Making time to read the Bible will help you grow in godly wisdom and enable you to make the wisest choices in your life for yourself, your family, and others.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive my impulsivity! So often I speak or act without prefacing either with prayer. I step out on my own, and that is so unwise. Help me to learn more of Your wisdom and internalize it, making it part of every word or action that comes from me. Guide me as I search Your Word for what I need to help me gain more of Your wisdom. Give me ears to hear Your Spirit as You speak to my heart, and the understanding to put what I read into practice. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night;
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father and I, Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

(from “Be Thou My Vision” by D. Forgaill, M. Byrne, E. Hull))

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“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5

Scripture: “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” – (27:9)

Observation: Today’s verse provides a comparison that reminds us when a true friend shares helpful advice, it is as pleasant as the sweet-smelling fragrances of perfumes and oils.

Application: Studies have shown that pleasing fragrances positively influence the physiology of individuals. In fact, aromatherapy has long been accepted as treatment for anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and many more health issues. The scented candle and essential oil industries are booming as more and more people realize the benefits of aromatherapy.

Likewise, when a trusted friend takes the time to listen to you, and then offers godly counsel, it is a healing balm to the soul. Those loving and caring words offered in times of need, refresh and encourage the heart and soul of the recipient. Even if the advice isn’t what one had hoped to hear, the fact that the truth was spoken in love can lessen anxiety, give direction, and offer needed support. The worries and fears are replaced by a calm and peace similar to that which one could experience when enveloped by soothing scents.

May we all be the sweet fragrance in the lives of those around us!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. It truly is a comforting balm to my heart and soul when struggles and challenges arise in my life. Help me to share that same peace with others and be a a good listener, a respecter of their privacy, and a provider of godly advice when asked for it. Help me to know my limitations as well and never step out on my own. Help my words to be a sweet fragrance to those with whom I speak. In Your precious name I pray, amen.

Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in endless praise,
Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee,
Filled with messages from thee.

Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne,
It shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee,
Ever, only, all for thee.

(from "Take My Life and Let It Be" by Frances Ridley Havergal)

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“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”- Proverbs 19:20

Scripture: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” – (26:20)

Observation: In today’s verse, we are reminded of the benefits of not gossiping about others.

Application: Engaging in gossip, whether sharing or listening, is very tempting. When someone has something “juicy” to say about someone else, we have a tendency to lean in and listen. Why is that so? Some studies state that involvement with gossip leads to an increase in the pleasure centers of the brain, which happens to be the same feelings that can be achieved by eating sugar! Both activities begin with good feelings, but then they can lead to very negative consequences. Sugar’s impact is more physical, while gossip can lead to a host of psychological and social effects.

Here are a few consequences from being a “talebearer”.

1. Gossip boosts self-pride. It gives a person a sense of power in social standing, promoting an “I know something you don’t know” mentality.
2. Gossip can be untrue and lead to the spreading of malicious lies, which can be very harmful to a person’s reputations.
3. Gossip can destroy relationships.
4. Gossip can be addictive.

Here are three things the Bible teaches us about gossip.

1. Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
   • God desires us to be an encouragement to others.
2. Proverbs 20:19 – “He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”
   • God warns us to not confide in those who gossip because they are untrustworthy and you may be the focus of their next conversation with others.
3. Psalm 34:13 – “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
   • God instructs us to refrain from speaking unrighteously about or to anyone.

While there are many more verses addressing this issue, the bottom line is God desires us to build others up, not tear them down. If you wouldn’t say something about someone with them standing right beside you, don’t say it at all!

Prayer: Dear Father, please set a guard around my lips, so that everything I say would be pleasing to You. Help me to encourage and support others by my actions and my words. Keep my tongue from evil at all times, so that I may “administer grace to others” by Your power and grace. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.

Be kind to each other; the night's coming on,
When friend and when brother perchance may be gone;
Then, 'midst our dejection, how sweet to have earn'd
The blest recollection of kindness return'd!

Happy children, blessed children,
Who are loving one another truly;
And the Saviour, blessed Saviour,
Loving more than all beside.

(from “Be Kind to Each Other” by Fanny Crosby)

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“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”  – Psalm 19:14

Scripture: “Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.” – (25:4)

Observation: Our verse today speaks to the purification process for silver. It is heated until it becomes molten. In this state, the impurities will float to the surface and then be skimmed off by the refiner. This will leave the silver without contamination, ready to be used, poured into its final form.

Application: Becoming “fit for the Master’s use” is a process in the life of the Christian. Like silver, we have impurities in our lives that must be removed in order for God to effectively use us for His purposes. These refining processes take for form of trials and tests that He allows in our lives. No one wants these types of situations to occur, but it is through these challenges that God makes us fit for His use. Here are three reasons why God allows the purification process to happen in our lives.

1. Sin
   • Our sin is an impurity that Jesus dealt with at the cross. On Calvary, He bore the sins of the world upon Himself, suffering and dying to satisfy God’s requirement for the payment of sin that you and I could never pay. 3 days later, Jesus rose to become our living Saviour, ready to forgive all who call upon His name. Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
   • It is important to realize that even after salvation, we still sin. Seeking forgiveness from Jesus is not just a one-time event in our lives; whenever we sin, we must go to Him, confess our sin and ask for His forgiveness (which He gives freely!). 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Remember, we are a work in progress (Philippians 1:6) and God’s purification process continually refines us until He call us to our heavenly home.
2. Faith
   • Our faith often needs strengthening, and this comes through testing. All through the Bible, we read of individuals who faced unimaginable testing, growing their faith. Imagine how Noah’s faith must have grown when he experienced God’s deliverance from the flood, or Daniel’s faith when he sat in the lions’ den and not one beast roared! These are just two examples of godly individuals whose faith was tested and came forth as pure silver!
   • Sometimes we experience challenging times as well. We may ask God why something is happening to us. The answer may be that God is using the situation as a time of strengthening your faith in Him. 1 Peter 1:7 states, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” It is during these times that our faith is able to grow stronger as it is purified through the hardships.
3. Dependence
   • Sometimes we go through trials to learn to rely on God rather than ourselves. It is easy to want to “take the reins” and control the situations in which we often find ourselves. The Bible reminds us in Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man,” but sometimes we do the exact opposite. We turn to God only when our own resources have been depleted. That needs to be flipped! We need to run to Him first! When circumstances are overwhelming, God can use them to help us learn to depend upon Him rather than ourselves to meet our every need in every situation!
   • Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Who better to trust in than the One who created, sustains, and controls all things?

The saying “trust the process” means that we should be patient and persevere because refinement takes time and effort. In the life of a Christian, we need to “trust the Saviour” as Job did. He experienced events in which we cannot even fathom the depth of despair he must have felt. However, the Bible records his words of faith when he spoke of the Redeemer in Job 23:10, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

May we have the faith of Job when we face challenges and struggles that God uses to mold us into a vessel for His use!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, Your ways are so much higher than mine, and I praise You for Your wisdom and power. Thank You for continuing the work in me as You promised in Your Word. Thank You for even the hard times because I know You allowed them for a purpose as I know You will always be with me as I go through them. Give me the strength to trust You with my whole heart and to come forth as purified silver, ready to be used by You. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus, Thine all-victorious love shed in my heart abroad;
Then shall my feet no longer rove, rooted and fixed in God.

O that in me the sacred fire might now begin to glow;
Burn up the dross of base desire, and make the mountains flow!

Refining fire, go through my heart, illuminate my soul;
Scatter Thy life through ev'ry part, and sanctify the whole.

(from “Jesus, Thine All-Victorious Love” by Charles Wesley)

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“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” – 2 Timothy 2:21

Scripture: “Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” – (24:27)

Observation: Our key verse today stresses the importance of doing everything in the proper order. In Biblical times, the society was agrarian. They raised livestock and grew crops. This verse speaks to the wisdom of having food and resources for one’s future before spending time on less critical things.

Application: The old saying, “Don’t put the cart before the horse” really aligns with today’s verse. Prioritizing is so important in determining what we should do and when, otherwise, we may be in for a very unsuccessful outcome for our efforts. Without proper planning and preparation, plans rarely come to fruition. It takes wisdom and patience to have the proper foundation for success.

Preparation sometimes means we have to postpone something we really want to do until we have done the necessary groundwork. For example, if I want to play the violin, I should not rush out to purchase a genuine Stradivarius before learning to play the instrument. Taking lessons and determining if I have the interest and skills needed to play would be the foundation necessary prior to purchasing an expensive violin.

It is the same in our spiritual lives. Our hearts must be right in the sight of God before we can serve Him. Preparing the foundation for our work for the Lord begins with our salvation, that is, accepting Christ’s forgiveness of sins and making Him Lord of our lives. Once we have done that, we then begin to learn more about Him from the Bible through church and Sunday school attendance, as well as our own personal times of study. As we grow in our faith, God begins to show us areas that need more work in our lives to better equip us to serve Him. In Luke 14:28, Jesus teaches, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”

Once the foundation has been laid, through prayer and godly counsel, we seek the Lord’s direction in what to do. Serving Christ is a joy, but it is not to be taken lightly. Without the proper foundation, our work is less effective and can even mislead others. With Jesus leading us, we can confidently go out and be builders of the faith!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word that gives me all I need to have a strong foundation in You. Thank You for those You have placed in my life to teach me and help me learn more about You. Strengthen my foundation in You that I might serve You better and reach others for the cause of Christ. Thank You for the opportunities You have provided for me to serve You. In Your precious  name and with thanksgiving, I pray. Amen.

The wise man built his house upon the rock. The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock. And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down, and the floods came up. The rains came down, and the floods came up. The rains came down, and the floods came up, and the house on the rock stood firm.

The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand. And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down, and the floods came up. The rains came down, and the floods came up.
The rains came down, and the floods came up, and the house on the sand fell down.

So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. Build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ,
Build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessings will come down.
The blessings come down as your prayers go up, the blessings come down as your prayers go up,
The blessings come down as your prayers go up, so build your life on the Lord.

(from “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” by Ann Omley)

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“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”. – Psalm 127:1

Scripture: “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.” – (23:17)

Observation: Our key verse targets a very common problem – envy! Solomon warns that we should not be envious of others, but instead focus our hearts to the Lord continually. It is only through Him that we will find complete satisfaction and contentment.

Application:

Have you ever found yourself wishing you had something that someone else had? We all have probably found ourselves in that situation at one time or another. Envy involves wanting what someone else has, and that can lead to some very serious problems.

One huge problem with envy is that its focus is often on ungodly people and their possessions or achievements in life. When we want what others have, we fall into the sin of covetousness, and this often leads to doing whatever it takes to “keep up with the Joneses”!

The phrase “keeping up with the Joneses” refers to the pressure we put upon ourselves to be like others who we deem to be more highly esteemed or successful than us. We see a person’s value in their worldly successes, and we begin to measure ourselves by the world’s standards instead of God’s standards. Things such as wealth, fame, power are very alluring, and the coveting of them can easily become all-consuming in our lives. Additionally, things such as a new car, a job promotion, or even someone’s spouse or family can lead to feelings of envy! The constant comparison to those around us leads to the weed of envy taking root and growing wildly in our lives, overtaking our lives, and ultimately leading to intense dissatisfaction and destructive behaviors

The Bible cautions us against envy in several places. Here, Solomon warns against coveting what others have. Temporal things, such as expensive possessions or positions of prestige and power are fleeting. When they vanish, those whose hope was placed in those things, find it difficult to face life. Their feelings of self-worth  which were directly tied into money, notoriety, and power, evaporate, despondency and despair in its wake. Numbing the loss can lead individuals to drugs, alcohol, and other actions that can have devastating consequences. Their envy perpetuates a destructive cycle which never yields contentment because their goal is unattainable. There will always be someone richer, more famous, more powerful, or more influential.

In contrast, when an individual has a relationship with Jesus, their self-worth is not based upon the acquisition of worldly goods, fame, or riches. A Christian’s self-worth comes from the realization that as sinners, we are completely unworthy of the love of God, yet He loves us regardless! Knowing that Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins was the ultimate act of love, and His sacrifice was for everyone regardless of our worldly possessions, bank account, social status, etc. God doesn’t care about any of that! Acts 10:34-35 states. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

In God’s eyes, we are all the same, and He loves us all. Nothing matters to God except our relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour, we become a beloved child of God! We are cherished and treasured by Him for all eternity. It doesn’t matter where we are from, what we’ve done in our lives, or how much we’ve sinned! God loves each one of us unconditionally! All we need to do is call upon His name for salvation. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:13 affirms, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” In Christ, we have everything we could ever want!

If you don’t know Christ as your Saviour, and you’d like to know more about Him, I’d love to share Him with you. Just drop me a note in the comment section below!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Yourself for me on the cross. Thank You for meeting every need I have ever had, and for giving me such an abundant life full of joy through You! Thank You for the promises in Your Word, especially the one where I get to spend all eternity with You in heaven! I love You! In Your name, I pray, amen.

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without him I would fall:
When I am sad, to him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, he makes me glad, He's my friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, my friend in trials sore;
I go to him for blessings, and He gives them o'er and o'er:
He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest's golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He's my friend.

(from “Jesus is All the World to Me” by Will L. Thompson)

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“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” – Romans 10:12

Scripture: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – (22:6)

Observation: Today’s verse is a divine explanation of cause and effect. Whatever the parent teaches the child, that child will follow that path in his or her life. Therefore, if a parent teaches a child the ways of the Lord, when that child becomes an adult, it will be remembered. Conversely, if a parent teaches a child the ways of the world, that is the path toward which the child will lean.

Application: I grew up in a non-Christian home. My parents did not become Christians until years after I was an adult with a family of my own. Therefore, I was raised in a home that gave no though to religion or church. As time went on, my parents had personal struggles that led to a period of separation. I was sent to live with relatives in another state. While this was an extremely difficult time for all parties involved, I can look back and see God’s hand in my life during this time. I am certain it was used by the Lord to ultimately lead me to Him.

As a 5-year-old, being away from my parents was devastating, but my father’s family stepped up to love and nurture me during my stay with them. My grandmother was a woman of faith, and she took both my cousin and me to church regularly. We were little girls, not more than 5 or 6 years old, and we attended a nearby Baptist church. I don’t really remember the gospel being preached per se, but I still have Sunday school papers from that time in my life, and I know seeds of salvation were planted.

When my parents reconciled about a year later, I came back home, and, without my grandmother in my life, my church attendance stopped. However, as a pre-teen, and with my parents’ permission, I once again began to attend a church. It was within walking distance of my home (Yes! Children walked everywhere back then. It was a less dangerous world in those days!) It was there that I heard and understood the gospel and realized how desperately I needed the Saviour. I can still remember walking the aisle, kneeling at the altar, and asking Jesus to forgive my sins, come into my life, and be my Saviour. I was now saved!

The point of all of this is that God’s plans always come to fruition. He took a very sad situation in a little girl’s life and used it for His glory. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” As a child, I didn’t understand, and it was a very hard time for me; as an adult, I look back and thank God for how He worked in my life, eventually welcoming me into His family.

Living with my relatives was my first exposure to the things of God. I was “trained up”, albeit for just a short time, but God took those tiny seeds from His Word, watered them, and they took root! Now, well into my latter years of life, I can see how His Word did not depart from me, but instead, it grew and grew, eventually bearing the fruit of salvation in my life, and then guiding me as a wife, mother, and grandmother.

If you are involved in the spiritual training of a child’s life, as a parent, family member, Sunday school teacher, etc., but you don’t see any results, don’t give up! Stay the course! God is faithful to do His part. When that child is old, he or she will NOT depart from it! I am living proof of that! Praise God!

Prayer: Dearest Heavenly Father, Thank You so much for Your plan for my life. You took what could have been disastrous, and made it something beautiful for me! You showed me that I needed You in my life as Lord and Saviour. You planted the seed of the gospel in me as a child, and then placed me in the path of others who would water Your Word until I saw my need for You! I stand amazed, O God, that You would love me that much! Thank You so much for the truth of Your Word! I am so blessed to be loved by such an incredible God! My soul truly rejoices in the Lord! In Your holy name and with great thanksgiving, I pray. Amen and amen!

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

(from “Wonderful Words of Life” by P.P. Bliss)

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“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:14

Scripture: “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”- (21:23)

Observation: Today’s verse warns us to guard our mouths and be careful in what we say. In doing so, we spare ourselves misery and problems that could have been avoided.

Application: I remember my mother cautioning me to “Watch what you say!” or “Mind your tongue!” as I was growing up. In those instances, she was reprimanding me for something I said; I was too young to have any wisdom in my words. I just said whatever was on my mind. My mom did not like for me to “speak ugly” as she would call it. As an adult, I see that her cautionary words were quite similar to those of Solomon. In her own way, my mom was teaching me what it states in Psalm141:3, “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”

When we speak without discretion, we can find ourselves in situations that we had not expected. We can easily hurt someone’s feelings, damage our own testimony for the Lord, and create division among family or friends. Additionally, once spoken, words cannot be taken back. They are out there, heard, and often harbored in a heart for long periods of time. This creates so much trouble, and it could have been avoided simply by controlling what was said.

There are many verses in the Bible that tell how problematic an uncontrolled tongue can be. Here are a few examples.

• “Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.” – Psalm 52:2
• “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” – James 3:8
• “His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.” – Psalm 10:7

While man himself has great difficulty controlling his tongue, there is good news! The Bible tells us in Psalm 120:2 that it is God who can provide the control we need. “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” As a child of God, we have His wisdom available to us for the asking (James 1:5), which will aid us in knowing when and how to speak. God’s Word assures us that “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright…” Let our words be a blessing to others, not a curse!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word, and for the teaching that I receive from it. Thank You for continuing to open my eyes to the truths in Scripture and helping me apply them to my life. Help me to be a blessing to those around me in word and deed, and help me please You in all I say and do. Please keep me following closely to Jesus, reflecting Him to the world, as I strive to serve You as best I can. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.

(from “Make Me a Blessing” by Ira B. Wilson)

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“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11

Scripture: “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” – (20:11)

Observation: Solomon teaches that it is our actions that define us. When others see what we do, that forms their opinion of us.

Application: I am reminded of another old saying, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Simply put, this means that you must open the book and read it to know the story it contains. When it comes to humanity, just looking at someone doesn’t necessary define them, but their actions certainly do!

How we act in the world is how we are measured. If you identify yourself as a Christian, you should be acting quite differently than those who are not saved. If you don’t, those who see you doubt your words about your relationship with Jesus. When someone looks at a Christian and sees the world in what they do, there is no reason for that individual to pursue a relationship with Christ because they see no difference between themselves and you. Sometimes, that will give a false sense of security to the onlooker. Since they act as you do, and you’re saved, they assume they are fine and on their way to heaven. The exact opposite is true! Our testimony to others is so important! We should reflect Jesus all the time because you never know when someone is watching you for your reactions to a particular situation.

Am I a good reflection of Jesus 24/7? Sadly, no. There are times when I fail, and I must seek the Lord’s forgiveness and help to be a better image of Jesus to others, but I am reminded that I am a work in progress. When I do fail, two verses in Scripture give me hope that I can still be used of God to honor Him and be a good witness. Philippians 1:6 states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” and 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Simply put, God forgives me; continues to work in me, and helps me become more like Jesus. It is not something I can accomplish on my own; I am God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), and He created me to do good works in His name and for His glory! God knows my heart and sees promise in me!

While we know that God doesn’t look on the outward appearance, but on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), the world doesn’t have that perceptive. What they see is what they get! If a Christian’s actions align with the rest of the world, where does that leave their testimony for Jesus? Romans 8:29 states, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” As Christians, we represent Jesus to the world, not only with our words, but with our lives as His light shines through us. Let us reflect Him well!

Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me and helping me learn more about You. Thank You for working in me and transforming my life to be more aligned with Your Word. Help me to reflect You to the world, bringing You honor and glory as Your Spirit works through me. Help me decrease, and You increase in my life. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.

More like Jesus would I be, let my Savior dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love, make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go, pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be; let my Savior dwell in me.

More like Jesus when I pray, more like Jesus day by day;
May I rest me by His side, where the tranquil waters glide:
Born of Him, through grace renewed, by His love my will subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be; let my Savior dwell in me.

(from “More Like Jesus ” by Fanny Crosby)

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“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Scripture: “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” – (19:27)

Observation: Solomon is warning his son to exercise discretion when determining whose instruction or advice to accept. Making an unwise choice in whose words to trust can have disastrous results.

Application: “Consider the source” is one way to condense Solomon’s advice to his son, and one that we should heed as well. In today’s world, everyone is quick to take the words of famous athletes, celebrities, university professors, and even pastors, as gospel (forgive the pun!). It is vital that we never blindly accept someone’s words as truth without examining them for accuracy.

How do we do that? We have only one source of absolute truth in this world, and that is the Bible. It is the Word of God, and is our standard for truth. If anyone gives instruction, advice, or directives that cannot be supported by the Scriptures, it is time to stop and “consider the source”!

Even me! You should always take the words you read in my blogs and compare them to God’s Word. If there is a discrepancy, believe the Bible, not me!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so easy to slip my own opinions into what I say or write, but please keep me in total agreement with Your Word. Help me, Lord, to always diligently search the Scriptures for Your truth as I seek to learn more about You. Give me discretion and wisdom to be able to recognize Your truth above the truth of the world. May I never cause anyone to stumble or sin because of what I have said or written. Help me to listen to Your Spirit as You lead me in everything I endeavor to do. In Jesus’ holy name, I pray. Amen.

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

(from “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus ” by Louisa M.R. Stead)

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“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” – Proverbs 30:5