Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
What a promise, but we have to ask ourselves, which way are we running? Are we pursuing God and all that He is with all that we are, or are we running to the things of this world? Make no mistake; it’s a lot easier to run after things of the world than it is to carry our crosses and follow Christ. But the reward is worth the journey. We are rewarded with life in Christ if we follow Him, but contrastingly, we are rewarded with death for forsaking Him and following the world.
So, the question then becomes, if we know that our life, love, peace, hope, joy, and safety are found in Him alone, then why do we run after the things that we want to take and then destroy those same things He offers? I believe the answer lies in our sin nature, our being deceived, and our laziness. It takes a lot more effort, intentionality, and intimacy to follow and serve Christ. We must make a daily decision about who will live, rule, and reign in our heart: us or the King of kings?!
If we pursue the Lord with all of our hearts, then we will find Him and be found in Him! I think that too often, we are running away from Him in our flesh and sin, all the while crying out to Him and wondering where He is at and why He isn’t around or answering us. Now make no mistake, our God is merciful and hears us at our lowest times, but if we are openly and knowingly walking in rebellion to His Word, what kind of response can we expect to receive? Today, let’s turn from the world and towards the One who redeemed us through His blood! Run to Christ, your strong tower today!
Psalm 18:1-3- For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.
God bless! I love you all, but His love is a fortress for
the lost! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ
our King, and the Holy Spirit!
Proverbs 18:13
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
The very first note I took on this verse this morning reads as follows: “shut up and listen, Stephen”. I have a tendency to answer before I hear everything, or interject my opinion before I hear all the facts. It is a flaw of mine, and though I feel as if I’m sharing good wisdom, the truth is that when I speak too quickly or rashly, it is folly and shame. It is good for us to share Godly wisdom with those around us, but we must do it the right way and at the right time. I can’t honor God by breaking one of His commands in order to fulfill another one but must make sure my life honors and obeys both. Please help me, Lord!
But how can I a mere man live to such a high standard? The answer is this: I absolutely cannot live to the standard set in the Bible without the help of the Author of the Bible. If I try to live a godly life through human means, I will fail and fall hard. But if I take my hands off the wheel, my will out of the equation, and put my life at His feet, then He is faithful to fill me with His Spirit who will lead me in His ways!
Too often, we can get caught up in the false doctrine of cleansing ourselves or being our own source of power, but the truth is that He is the one who does the cleansing, and He is the one who supplies the power for us to live as Jesus did! Yes, we have a part in all this, but our part comes after our surrender and indwelling of His Holy Spirit. Then, as the Spirit leads and strengthens us, we walk more in Him and less in the world.
Now, think about how much God listens to us and how much we value that. Could we be a people that are willing to shut our mouths and open our ears to honor our God and bless those around us?
2 Peter 1:3- By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.
James 1:19,20- My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
God bless! I love you all, but His love listens to our heart and answers the humble cries from it! Praise, glory, and honor both now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Let me start by saying I have the most amazing friends and family anyone could ask for, but sometimes, there are things that you and God have to do – just the two of you!!
With that being said, let me tell you about my best friend! Yesterday was like a jaw breaker, tough all the way around but sweet in the middle. We got to pick my dad up after his knee surgery and take him back to my old apartment, an apartment where a lot of my shame, guilt, and fear lived. At first, it didn’t bother me, but as I went throughout the apartment getting things situated for Pops, I started to have memories of past experiences, and they broke my heart. Normally, this would have crushed me, but not this time! I wasn’t alone this time. Each time the enemy would try to remind me of something I had done, Jesus was right there saying, “That’s not you anymore. You’re a new creation in Me!!”
I didn’t understand at the time, but once I got home and was praying about it, I realized what was happening. God allowed me to go back there and face those things, but He didn’t let me go alone! He used that situation to bring His mercy and healing!! Those things don’t have the power they once did. The more I put these things in His light, the less they can control me in their darkness!!
At first, I was crying in sadness and shame, but that only lasted a second, and I was crying because of yet another weight lifted off my shoulders by my loving God!!! He is waiting there with His lifting gloves on to do the same for you!! Jesus Christ is my best friend, and He would love to be yours too!!!
I love you all, God bless! Thank You, Jesus, and glory to God always!!!!!!!
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