The art of USING wisdom (James)

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

If: a condition, thought of as real, i.e. viewed as factual
Any: a certain one, someone, anyone
Of you: where the person is to be emphasized
Lack: to be destitute of, be absent of
Wisdom: literally "the art of using wisdom";  the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living

As I was studying this verse, I had to stop at that word, "wisdom". It literally means the "art of USING wisdom". How many times do I KNOW the right thing, but sadly, I refuse to DO the right thing. 

The art of USING wisdom. What good is it to know something, and not put it to use? 

It's sad to be in the destitute state of not using wisdom. But thankfully, there is ONE who can supply us with wisdom and the knowledge of how to put into action. 

The art of USING wisdom. 

I'll finish the study of this verse on another day. For right now, I want to mediate on the art of USING wisdom. 

Thanks Living: The Four "P"s.

Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Psalm 18:49

Give thanks: confess (originally acknowledge)

Among the heathen: in the sense of the masses

Sing praises: to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music
Name: an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority

Will I. 
That's personal. 

Among the masses. 
That's public. 

Give thanks/Sing praises.
That's purpose.

Unto Thee, Thy Name.
That's proper. 

Thanks Living is first personal. I have to do it. 
Thanks Living is to be public. I'm to be thanking and praising God so that others learn about how awesome my God is.
Thanks Living is to be purposeful. I'm to be giving thanks and praising God—no matter my circumstances or situation. Remember God does not change! 
Thanks Living is proper. It's the right thing to do. God is to be thanked and praised, because He is God Almighty! 

Thanks Living: For You

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Give thanks: to be grateful, actively to express gratitude

Always: at all times, always, ever

Making: to do

Mention: be mindful of, remind oneself actively (purposefully); actively bring to mind

Prayers: earnest prayer

For you. 

People impact our lives on a daily bases. Some frustrate us. Some encourage us. And some bless us beyond measure. And EACH one can be used by God to teach us something about Him and living a life pleasing to Him. 

For you.

First, we see from Paul's example, that we are to Give Thanks for others. Say Thank you to God for introducing us to others. Introducing us to those that encourage us and those that teach us. 

Lastly, Paul gives us the example of how we express our thanks to God, through prayer. And not just a "thank you God." and then forget it. Rather this is an EARNEST prayer. 

Earnest: serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely

Praying with intention and purpose. Making a point to thank God for each person that God introduces us to. 

For you.

Thanks Living is praying intentionally for each person God brings into our lives. Give thanks to God for each one, and pray intentionally for each person. That is not only the right thing to do, it's a blessing to uphold others before our great God! 

For you. 

Give thanks and pray intentionally for others—that is the right thing to do when living a life of Thanks Living! 

Proverbs 8:6-9: Lying. Is it a big deal?

Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:6-9

Excellent things: princely things—as from a commander or honorable position; excellent things

Right things: in ethical sense, uprightness, as taught in the school of wisdom

Truth: trustworthiness, faithful,

Wickedness: wrong (especially moral)

Abomination: something disgusting (morally)

Righteousness: the right (natural, moral or legal), accurate

Nothing: does not exist

Crooked: fraudulent, anything tortuous (not direct or straightforward), deceitfully indirect

Perverse: distorted, false

Plain: straightforward, correct, integrity, right, uprightness

Understands: diligently, discerns

Right: straightforward, just upright

Find: thing sought, acquire

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Lying. 

Is it really something to ignore? Or is it a big deal? 

Is there such a thing as a "white lie"?

It is ok to lie so you don't hurt a person's feelings?

Is it EVER ok to lie?

Are there circumstances that warrant lying? 

What is a lie? 

Dictionary.com:

a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; anintentional untruth; a falsehood.to speak falsely or utter untruth knowingly, as with intent to deceive; convey a false impression

What does lying do? 

First off, it lays a foundation for mistrust. How can one be trusted if they lie? 

Second, it makes one question everything said thereafter. If you lied once, are you lying now? 

And lastly,  it starts a snowball effect. For when you lie once, you must maintain the lie, and that leads to additional lies. 

Justification for lying? 

Is there such a thing? Well, it's so we don't hurt someone's feelings. REALLY? Tell a lie, so that person can't trust us later? That justifies lying? 

If I tell the truth, the person won't like me? Again, REALLY? A person would like you if you lied, but not if you told the truth. And if that person won't like you if you told the truth, what does it say about that person? Is that really someone you want to like you? Someone whose relationship is based on mistrust and lying? Yeah, that's a great foundation for friendship—NOT! 

Lying. It is a big deal. It is not something to ignore. 

Wisdom does not lie. Wisdom is to be trusted. Wisdom doesn't try to flatter or smooth talk her way around issues. Wisdom is straightforward and honest! 

Perhaps if we all had hearts that were permeated with a deep sense of reverence (fear) for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), there would be a lot less lying and more honesty.

Lying is a big deal, because it is sin. That's it, period. No white lies, not justification, call it what it is—SIN. And that is a big deal to God. And if you want to live in accordance with His wisdom, lying will be a big deal to you too.

Proverbs 6:1-5: Be Careful

My son, if you become surety for your friend .....maybe this translation would be easier to understand:

My ·child be careful about giving a guarantee for ·somebody else’s loan, about promising to pay what someone else owes.

You ·might get trapped by what you say; you ·might be caught by ·your own words.. My ·child, if you have done this and are under your ·neighbor’s control, here is how to ·get free. Don’t be proud. Go to your ·neighbor and ·beg to be free from your promise. Don’t ·go to sleep or ·even rest your eyes, but ·free yourself like a ·deer running from ·a hunter, like a bird flying away from a ·trapper. Proverbs 6:1-5 EXB

I'd do ANYTHING for you. I'd help you ANYWAY that I can. How often have we said those words to someone? And if that person returns asking for help, what do we do? 

This is a warning... BE CAREFUL..you may get caught in a trap, "roped into something". You want to do the "right thing" but you need to guard yourself. Helping someone is not always the RIGHT thing to do. Don't let someone guilt you into doing something that you really should do. 

If you do find yourself in a situation, what do you do? Be humble. Realize that you did make a mistake. And work on correcting it. Don't ignore it. Address it. Take care of it. 

I think this warning is also for the "friend". We shouldn't ask someone to do something for us which first, we shouldn't be involved with, and second, if we can't do it ourselves—should we be doing it? 

How often do we find ourselves in situations where helping seems right, but actually causes the person we help to not learn and grow? Do we become enablers to someone's wrong decisions? Do we become enablers to someone who doesn't want to realize the consequences of his/her choices? 

And what is our motive for helping the friend? 

Should I give help? Yes or no, what is the right answer? Making the right choices begin when a heart is permeated with a deeps sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). Remember the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. And it take godly wisdom to know if helping someone is right or wrong. Be careful, a good warning for us all. 

Impact for Eternity!

Impact for Eternity!

Ruth 4:13-22

"The passage is given by Matthew word for word in the genealogy of Christ, that we may see that this history looks not so much to David as to Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed by all as the Saviour and Redeemer of the human race, and that we may learn with what wonderful compassion the Lord raises up the lowly and despised to the greatest glory and majesty" (Brentius).

Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

As I read the conclusion to the Book of Ruth, I had to stop and think of the importance of Ruth and all that took place to get her where she needed to be to fully accomplish God's plan. 

I also think of Ruth's willingness to do the "right thing" and do it well, not even knowing the full significants her actions. Reminds me of others throughout Scripture that God used because they where willing to do the "right thing". 

As I look back over my life, I think of all God has done, and the people He used to supply my needs, bless me, and encourage me. People who were willing to do the right thing—the God honoring way—put themselves in the position to not only bless others, but to be used by God to fulfill His purpose and plan. 

Another aspect of doing the right thing, is that often we don't see the ripple effects it has on others or in years to come. There were many generations and years between the birth of Obed and the birth of Jesus Christ. God was able to use Ruth to accomplish His will over many generations. That's the exciting aspect of doing the right thing—the God honoring way. One can have an impact for eternity! 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), it makes me wiling and able to do the right thing—the God honoring way, and then in turn, bless others and have an impact for eternity! 

Right Thing = Reward

Ruth 2:8-12

These few verses are packed with so much — the kindness of Boaz to a stranger in the land, Ruth. Boaz made sure that Ruth would be well taken care of as she continue to gather food for her and Naomi. 

Ruth remains humble and realizes the graciousness of Boaz. She asks Boaz, why he is being so kind to her. 

Boaz's answer shows how important doing the RIGHT THING is—simply because it is the right thing! Boaz HEARD of what Ruth did for Naomi. 

I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, and how you have left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to a people unknown to you before. Ruth 2:11 (AMP)

People are watching. People are talking. What are they learning and saying about me? What reputation is being spread about me? Makes one stop and think, or at least it should. But even more importantly, what does God think of what I'm doing? 

The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under Whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 2:12 (AMP)

Boaz knows that he can only do so much for Ruth (and he's blessing her by making sure that she'll be able to get enough food for her and Naomi). But Boaz knows that true blessings and rewards come from God. Ruth was doing the right thing, and it was noticed not just by the people in Bethlehem and Boaz, but by GOD! 

Doing the right thing, no matter how difficult it is, no matter how lonely it is, no matter the 'pay' isn't enough..... no matter. Doing the right thing — is the RIGHT thing because God is the One who will recompense and give the reward—maybe not on Earth, but in Heaven for sure! 

Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (AMP)

If I want my motivation for doing the right thing to be on target (pleasing and honoring God), then my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).  

Right Thing

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you, The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually). Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

Ruth 2:4-7

How do you feel when you see the Boss coming? How awesome to be greeted with "The Lord be with you!" And the response of the workers, was " The Lord bless you!" That is an encouraging greeting. 

Yesterday, the post was on how God designs and works His plan to accomplish His purpose. In Ruth 2:4-7, we continue to see God's attention to details. 

As Boaz came to inspect his fields, Ruth caught his eye. He noticed her among the others gleaning the leftovers. He learned that she was Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi.

Notice the description given of Ruth. She did not demand that she be able to glean in his fields. She did not demand anything. Rather, she humbly asked if she could glean in his fields collecting the leftovers. And she worked tirelessly from early morning, resting just a bit. Her work ethic spoke volumes about her. She was willing to work hard long hours to provided food for her and Naomi. Ruth was doing the right thing and doing it well! 

Now, remember, Ruth could have stayed back in Moab with her family. Yet, she left and went with Naomi to a strange land. And now, she was working hard to provide food. Her attitude was noticed by those in the field and in turn, by Boaz. 

Often the things we do, go unnoticed by most. Yet, we are to be doing our best not to gain attention or fame, rather we are to be doing the right thing to the best of our ability because we are doing it unto the Lord. No matter the task. No matter how difficult. No matter..... no excuses. Just do the work for the glory of God. 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), then I'll be ready and willing to do the right thing no matter how difficult it may be—knowing that I'm doing it for the glory of God!