Listen To Be Wise

 September 13
 Daily Reading – Pro. 16-17 / 2 Cor. 2-3

GOD SAID:

Proverbs 17:27-28 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      God allowed me the privilege of Pastoring a man named Bob who has now gone home to be with the Lord. Bob had many wise sayings and jokes he loved to share with anyone who would listen. One of his sayings was; “It’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you’re stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.” I know that’s not a Bob original, but I’ll always remember him whenever I hear it.

      The Bible supports Bob’s saying. It says someone who is a good listener and doesn’t feel the need to talk all the time is believed to be wise. It goes on to say that even a fool can be thought of as wise if they don’t say anything to prove otherwise. It’s been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we talk. Have you noticed that most intelligent people are excellent listeners? It very well could be the reason why they are so wise in the first place. Being wise though is more than just listening. It’s also choosing who, and what you listen too as well.

      Today we have a flood of information around us. However, all of it is not beneficial information, as some of it will lead you astray from the will of God. Therefore, it’s not only wise to listen, but also to know you’re hearing the right things. One thing is for sure, we need to learn to tune out the world a bit more and tune into God’s word more.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Finding a quiet time and place to get alone with God each day is so rewarding. If you don’t already have one, I’d encourage you to make that a priority in life. Then get alone with God. You know you’ll be listening to the right things there.

Can you hear God’s still small voice?

     

Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Lesson In Life

 September 12
 Daily Reading – Pro. 14-15 / 2 Cor. 1

GOD SAID:

Proverbs 15:20-21 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      One of the privileges of a Pastor is being with a family at the birth of their child. The smiles and joy this new birth brings is almost indescribable. The innocence of a child and dependence on the parents brings an instant bond between them. Nevertheless, part of the struggles of being a Pastor is helping a family cope as children make wrong life choices. All the joy and togetherness seem to vanish. Sorrow and grief are left in its place. This often happens as children become young adults and want to be on their own. The love for them is still there, but the question of “why,” starts popping up.

      Some question why God allows a child to do such things. A child they worked so hard with, and tried to raise right. Why is a loving God allowing them to turn out so wrong? Parents will blame themselves for their children’s sins. Some begin to blame God. The truth is, each child created by God and placed in your care was created with a free will to choose what he or she would do. It’s not always the parent’s fault, and definitely not God’s fault. Sometimes both God and parents have tried to give them the wisdom they need and they refuse it. They must choose to accept the wisdom of knowing God personally and walking with Him on a daily basis. Without that wisdom, the sins or folly of the world seem as joy to them. This is when a family needs the comforting counsel of the church family and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    So what now? Well, never give up. At any age, they’re still your children. Never quit praying and asking your church to join you in prayer for them. Lastly, be a loving example of Christ before them. Remember they have to choose to live for God. You can’t choose for them.

Isn’t God still able?

     

Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Love Or Neglect?

 September 11
 Daily Reading – Pro. 12-13 / 1 Cor. 16

GOD SAID:

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      In my personal library is a book written by H. A. Ironside in 1907 called “Notes On Proverbs.” In my copy, published in Feb. 1946, on page 154 Dr. Ironside makes this statement when writing about Prov. 13:24; Quote, “It is not love, but the lack of it, that leaves a child to himself; to develop unchecked, tendencies and propensities which shall result in future sorrow. Ours is a day of great laxity on this point. The coming generation will reap the bitter fruit of the absence of restraint and the evident aversion to chastening, so manifest in the majority of homes.” End quote. This statement was made over one hundred years ago. I ask you to consider, was he right?

      When people think they have a better way than God’s way, they’re in essence saying God is wrong. Today we have a nation full of “me first” adults. They’ve gotten their way for so long they think that’s how it’s suppose to be. No one wants to tell anyone they might be wrong. If you do, they pout like a two-year old who never learned to handle reproof.

      God’s ways have always been correct. Any correction handed out by God is done in love for the benefit of the one He’s correcting. That’s the part missing from most correction today. It’s not done out of love, but rather to punish them for interrupting the adults life. Correction must be done with love for the child, trying to help them.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    There is a huge difference between correction and child abuse. We ought never allow or be part of child abuse. However, often by NOT making children mind, we are abusing them even more. True love will manifest itself in many ways.

Is letting a child run wild love or neglect?

     

Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Look Again!

 September 10
 Daily Reading – Pro. 10-11 / 1 Cor. 15

GOD SAID:

Proverbs 11:22 As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      I was walking down the street the other day and saw a woman walking her dog. This was not so strange, except for the fact that the dog had on a sweater. Now it may have just been me, but it seemed like the dog was really moving fast and kept looking from left to right, right to left as if to say, “I sure hope none of my dog friends see me dressed this way.”

      Now I know, some of you dress your dogs, cats, and who knows, maybe your gerbils this way. I guess if it makes you happy to dress up your dog as children do their dolls, it doesn’t really hurt anything. There actually might be some good to it if it’s raining out and you put on a raincoat, or if it’s freezing cold out or something and you dress your short haired dog in a warm sweater. However, one thing we need to keep in mind is, under that sweet little cardigan, this is still a dog. You can paint their toenails a rainbow of colors, give them a cute haircut which often will cost more than your hair cut does, and put ribbons in their hair, yet when you look again you will see that they’re still dogs.

      What’s my point in this? We are all the same way. We can dress up the outside and clean up real nice. We might say the right things and go to the right places. Nevertheless, if we have never accepted Jesus as our Saviour, under all that, we’re still lost.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    Jesus addressed this issue in Luke 11:39 “And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.” It might do us well to look again.

What does God see in us?

     

Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Lead By Design

 September 9
 Daily Reading – Pro. 8-9 / 1 Cor. 14

GOD SAID:

Proverbs 8:20-21 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

      The Vision Statement of Living In His Word Ministries, “Getting people into the Word of God… and the Word of God into people,” is not just a catchy phrase. We believe this is the foundation, on which people must live their lives in order to enjoy God’s blessings in every area of life. Our verses today point to this understanding..

      First, God’s wisdom is more valuable than anything any club or other social group can give you. You can belong to every well-meaning club out there and they’ll bring you enjoyment for a moment. However, what eternal value do they teach that was not first written by God in His word? The answer is none. Second, Wisdom mixed with understanding creates all life’s correct outcomes. People want to go to God’s Word like a fix-it manual when something’s broken. Find the fix, apply it, and then live as they did before. That never works. What works is the constant repetitive study of God’s Word that sinks into your heart and becomes part of your life to keeps those worldly things from tearing up your life to begin with. Next, fixing what’s already broken can also be found in God’s Word. However, it takes dedication to change a life and make it right. Arrogant, prideful, and selfish people will not enjoy the luxuries of God’s best, as they seldom desire to really change what they do. Finally, God’s word is counsel. In it, you find understanding and strength for every area of life. Lead by design.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

    So maybe now you understand our slogan a bit better. “Getting people into the Word of God… and the Word of God into people.” In fact, try reading our vision slogan again, only this time with your name replacing the word “people.” .

Are you being led by the design of God’s Word?

     

Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12