Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying the end of another workweek (for most). This week has flown by, and I can't believe its Friday already. It seems like I barely had time to blink. Sometimes busy is good, but I guess it depends on the circumstances. I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend, and spending some time with family. Tomorrow will mark a day of indepence for me, and it is very, very, exciting. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I guess I spoke too soon about the good weather we're having yesterday, because there are forecasts of snow, and it has definitely gotten colder. Oh well seasons change, and there's nothing I could do about that. I'll survive, because I've survived 31 other winters, I can get through this one too, by the grace of God. Have a wonderful weekend family, and whatever you do, do it for the Lord.

Today's scriptures are about requesting wisdom from God. Wisdom is something that's acquired over a lifetime, and it comes through life lessons and journeys. Some people confuse wisdom with knowledge, and that's where the average person get's lost on their Spiritual journey. Wisdom is defined: the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight. Knowledge is defined: acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition. They both work together, but God gives us wisdom, and we acquire knowledge for ourselves, and it's important to differentiae the two. Paul speaks a lot about this in 1 Corinthians chapter 2, and when he addressed the church, he spoke with the wisdom of God, so that everyone could understand. He said: And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (vs. 4-5). He goes on to explain that God grants wisdom to each of us in His on time. Paul also pointed out the magnitude of the wisdom of God, and quoted a scripture from Isaiah 64:4: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (vs. 9) He also said that this wisdom was revealed to him through the Spirit. People who don't have the Spirit cannot begin to search the "deep things of God" (vs 10). He concludes this chapter by saying: These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ (vs. 13-16). Did you know that you have the mind of Christ? Wow! Jesus taught that all we have to do is seek, ask, and believe. He also often said "O ye of little Faith", because we are foolish, until we seek the knowledge of God. Constantly seeking to obtain this wisdom strongly deepens our relationship with Him, because He continuously reveals Himself to us. It's wonderful to become educated in the worlds way, because we need to have that knowledge to be able to maneuver in our day-to-day life, but it's dangerous to put our focus solely on that. We could read numerous books that gives us no wisdom, and watch hours of television programs that don't promote growth, but won't take the time to open the bible for 1 hour a day, or even go to church for 1 hour a week. There are numerous people who have several college degrees and certifications, but cannot quote the Lord's Prayer, yet claim to be a Christian. We can be so smart, but foolish at the same time, and Paul warns us in 3:19: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”. I'll leave you with this; God has predestined us to do great things, and has etched out a path to get there. We're all considered to be "Israel", and we have a "promised land” waiting at the end of our journey. We've been given a map, compass, tour guide, and all of the supplies we need to make it there. On the way, we'll learn new things, love, hate, laugh, cry, hurt, and be hurt, and that's the joy of life. We have something to accomplish that's greater than what we could possible understand, and we have the mind of Christ and His power to promote life. Make sure you don't take that power for granted, and ask for help when you need it. If you don't know Jesus as Lord, then you're missing something special, but you don't have too. I was reading Joyce Meyers devotional book this morning, and she said we often get caught up in works, yet miss that one on one time with God. He's not asking for our money, nor impressed by our social status, He just wants us. Give Him all of you, and be open to receive His wisdom. My favorite verses today are: Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:6-8)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455170&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!