Unwise Forgetfulness Day 5

 

"lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted." Proverbs 31:5

Have you ever forgotten something really important? Have you ever been in a position where something you needed to do or someone you needed to call or even pray for or visit passed your mind like the spirit of Death did the children of Israel in Egypt? Have you been somewhere and then remembered somewhere else you needed to be? Say a child's event/ sport, picking up a child or someone else? A phone call that would have made someone's day?

I am the MOST renowned forgetful person I know! If I don’t put it in my phone or write it on my planner, I will forget it! If I don’t remember to look on my planner, I will forget it! I am currently praying and accepting prayer requests for this bondage! I will be doing something totally different and something will trigger a forgotten request or date I was supposed to be somewhere. I hate that feeling! I don’t think this is the forgetting Lemuel's mom was speaking of, but practically speaking, even a king, if you are in the public eye will get flack for forgetting dates and scheduled events.

Alcohol does make you forget. For a time, that is. First the depressing chemicals take effect and you forget that you are sad, broke, and lonely. You begin to do things you might not have done if not for the alcohol. You forget the sadness you felt when you came in because now the drink has dulled your senses. You forget the brokenness you have spiritually and financially as you begin to spend all your money on this drink and its counterparts. You forget the lonely nights because you find someone either who will take advantage of your drunkenness or is just as drunk as you. Yeah, you forget alright and forgetting is not something children of God should be doing. We need to remember so that when we come back to this door we are at, brokenness, poverty, depression, lust, loneliness; we can move away from it rather than go straight in to it again.

We should not be able to forget where we are in our pain so that we can help someone else out of theirs when the time comes, for it will come! And isn't that what God commands us to do? Gently bring back a fallen brother or sister? What you choose to forget may be the very thing God needs you to remember. Don’t dull down your pain, lest you return to it again and again like a dog returns to its vomit.

Father God, help me to remember the pain I am in right now, whatever pain that may be. Help me to recognize it, stand to it and allow you to deal with it. Forgive me for the concoctions I have made up to forget what you need me to remember. Thank you for your everlasting love that throws my sins as far as the east is from the west. In Jesus name, Amen!

There are some who are in the midst of this drowning out their sorrows. You must know, as you drown out your sorrows, you drown out the Voice of God as well. His voice, though gentle and meek, can be heard in the toughest terrains, in the strongest storms if only you will stop to listen. He is waiting for you to answer. Will you? Pray this simple prayer:

God, I am a sinner. Forgive me for drowning out what You need me to face and ignoring You in the process. I know that You sent Your only Son to die for me because You love me. I know that He was raised from the dead so that I can live. I claim Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life from now on. The only thing I drown out now, is the voice of the one in the world because greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. Come live in me Jesus and transform my mind and my life so that I will not forget what You did for me! In Jesus name, Amen!

Welcome to the family!

Wise Resolve Day 4

"It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink," Proverbs 31:4

I can remember a time when I was feeling sick and needed some medication while at a friend’s house. My friend’s mom wanted to give me some medicine and upon seeing the medicine I immediately declined it. Not because my head wasn't hurting but because the white powder in the simple plastic bag wasn't what I was used to taking for headaches. It turns out the powder was an old school aspirin powder that was very inexpensive yet effective. But it wasn't the remedy I was used to taking, so I knew it was not for me.

Sadly, sometimes this is NOT how we live our lives or lead our family and friends to live theirs. Lemuel's mother was wise because of one of two reasons. She had lived a life that she was warning her child, the king, of. Or she had watched and God had given her this wisdom to be able to teach him later on. Either way, this teaching is more than just a sentence in the chapter of Proverbs. It's a teaching for daily living!

When I first read it, I was like, "Okay God, what do you want me to get out of this? How do you want me to write on this one? I get that booze was for those who were sick with poverty and had no hope. But what else?" He unequivocally told me, "As children of the Most High God, you are royalty and the resolve of the common (the unsaved) is not yours. You do not need to worry, so you do not need their temporary solutions." Let me make that pebble level for you, like I do on Face book. When the lost are suffering, they turn to alcohol, ill gotten gain (stealing), drugs, sex, cutting, gambling, and any other means of TEMPORARY relief. Our resolve as children of the One who is Maker of all and Owner of all is in His Word, in His promise, in His very breath. We don’t have to turn to the temporary when we have been promised the eternal! Let me say that again, we do NOT have to turn to the temporary when we have been promised Eternity!! The crazy part to me is, even though we do not have to turn to it, we still do. We would rather have a temporary fix for our problems then to wait on God and have them resolved forever! We would rather spend days on end crying than seeking God. We would rather have our thirst quenched by the wine (trappings) of this world than to seek out our Life water, Jesus!

When we are sick (lost) and in this world, we grab at everything we think could be a cure. As we get closer to our "wit's end" our breaking point, we just start trying everything we can get our hands on to "dull the pain." It's at that very moment that Jesus steps in the picture with, not wine, not strong drink, but a Truth that not only quenches our thirst and revives us but it also continues to everyday that we drink from it. I love that! On the days that I don't read from His instructions for my life, I am lost in the day. Everything seems to crash around me, even on the quiet days... it just doesn’t seem to feel right. Like I am missing something. Have you been there? Do you ask the question, "How do I find what's missing?" The answer is in His Word. It not just one Scripture that you may love to read. It's not just your life verse. It's in all of His Word. It's a must read daily!

So the question is what will you choose? The temporary traps which bind you to keep returning and never be released, or the life giving, ever freeing, thirst quenching Word of God? He can answer every question if you dare to ask and listen. He will lead you to the way everlasting if you dare to follow. He will comfort you if you dare to be honest and open with Him! He will listen to your complaints, if you dare to let them out. At the risk of sounding like a commercial: You have tried everything else, now try Jesus! He is THE resolve you need!

Dear God, thank You for being the resolve I need! Thank You for allowing me to know that and giving another chance to come to You for comfort, for peace, for relief. I pray Lord that as this walk, as this journey to You gets harder, that You would increase my dosage each day. Increase my wisdom to hear what You are saying to me, my knowledge of You to hear the revelations You give me. As my struggles may be made known to others, allow me to show them what TRUE faith I have in You by my ever leaning on Your Word for relief from this dying world. Help me Lord to help them to You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Are you one that leans to your own understanding? Do you find yourself relying on the medicine of this world and yet returning to the very pain you were trying to escape from? If this is you, and you are tired of the merry go round the world has you on, I have GOOD NEWS for you! YOU are the one Jesus came to earth, lived out his life as an example for us, died a criminals death on a tree while STILL asking God to forgive us for what we did to him but did not know and then was raised from the dead for us to live in Him! Do you believe that for you? Do you believe that God loved you enough for the both of you, even though you still don’t love yourself? Do you believe that you can’t do this life on your own anymore and are thinking of giving up? Then you are where He needs you! Sound crazy? It is! He needs you to be so tired of you that you will turn to Him! Surrender and live or keep going this way and die. Harsh choices for a hard world, I know. But He loves YOU.... yes you reading this and crying right now. You who read this and wonder how can He love someone like you? How could He have let His Son die for you, one who is so low, one who is so not worthy of anyone’s love, one who has been abandoned? He loves YOU! Say this:

God, I am this sick person You speak of. I have been self medicating and not getting anywhere but further into hell. Help me, I can’t do this anymore. You know my sins yet You love me. You know what I have done yet You still want me! I confess all I have done to You! I believe, God that You sent Your son, Your beloved Son to die for my sins and raised Him from the dead so that I can live for Him! Enter in Jesus; You are welcome in this broken place! In Jesus name, Amen!

Welcome to the family!

Wise Counsel Day 3

Proverbs 31:3 "Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings."

When I was getting married, I noticed that there was a lot of advice that people had. What not to do, what not to accept from my soon to be spouse, how I shouldn't even be getting married! What I did notice was that those who giving me advice, they were divorced, they were single and looking. The only two people who gave me sound counsel said these two things "Don't go to bed mad." and "Let him make mistakes." Now at the time, I couldn't for the life of me understand why someone would say to me, "let him make mistakes," and send our marriage to doomsday in an Amtrak. But thinking back, even though it wasn't meant, much like Cinderella's step sister getting Cinderella's shoe on with a show horn (another story), I realized that statement. It was wise counsel.

Our children are much the same. When we give the "or else" statements, they test (we fail) and consequences are given. We threaten to take things, scream and even glare they will eventually do what we say, but will they get the lesson from it? The only lesson they are getting is how far they can push Mommy or Daddy or some are even learning to count! That is not the lesson we want them to adhere when we tell them they need to clean their rooms is it?

We are the same with God! In this text, Lemuel's mother is a wise woman. I even wonder if she was describing herself in the latter verses. She warns her son NOT to be involved not only with women who drain strength (said that many times to my son) or those who destroy kings. As I look at it, she wasn't just describing women in a sex kind of way. She was talking about those who may not even know they are destroying a man. The ones who wear things to get attention, the ones who lash out at men in general making life hard for them. Then she goes a step further and touches on ALL men and women, who destroy kings. Because we are Royalty in God's Family, there are those who will set out to destroy us. We are not to let them. Notice she does not say stay away from them, but "do not give your ways," to them. A king’s ways reflected his bloodline back then. Giving his ways to those who destroy was to say, "Here, you take over." Not good! In laments terms today, don't hand anyone your peace, your joy, or your blessings by putting down who you are in Christ to step down to their level. Been there? Done that? We literally hand them our ways and pick up theirs when we react. I love that!! Don’t you?

Wise counsel is so needed today! The sad thing is that when we give wise counsel, we sometimes hand over our ways with it when we don’t get the reaction we think we need..... Sound familiar.... say from Jonah? We also need to receive wise counsel just as eagerly as we give it. That is another way to give our "ways" to those who can destroy us. By easily being offended or defensive when they give counsel. Been there myself! \O

Let's make this a new day of being wise shall we? Remember to give counsel how you would want it given to you and accept it even when it is not welcome, by testing the spirits to see if they are of God. We do that before giving counsel, at least we should be! Perhaps when we don’t, that is when we offend others. When we go against what James said in chapter 1? You know what I'm talking about. Being "slow to speak, slow to anger and quick to listen"??? Ouch! That hurt me! Take time out to think about what you are about to say, not with your mind, but with Holy Spirit in mind. Speak life, even when giving counsel. But be careful to watch for those who can destroy!

Father God, thank You for giving us wisdom. Thank You for the chance to pour that same counsel into others. I pray God that our giving counsel would never be void of Your Word just because we feel puffed up and are able to speak. Give us wisdom in receiving counsel as well as giving Lord. Thank You for this reminder Lord. Pour into us so that we may pour into others. In Jesus name, Amen!

Wise Questions Day 2

"What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?" Proverbs 31:2

Children are known when they are very young for two distinct things. The declaration of the word "no", and asking "why?” For as long as I can remember the answer my brother and I got was "because I said so," and we normally left it at that, fearing that if we even moved our lips like we were talking back we would be picking them up soon after. I, too, dreaded the question "why" from my kids.... especially my Mini Me (Naria). My older two asked the more simplified question "why, Mommy?" It was cute and although it got very annoying after a few minutes and the Q & A session ended with "because," it was the light version. Theirs were questions about the sky being a different color, shoes being on the right feet and even me going to the hospital when it was time for Naria to be born (that one was funny). My Naria on the other hand, my lawyer in training, had to ask the hard questions as follows: "Naria, put your shoes on mama (long story on the nickname), we need to go." "Why, Mommy? Where are we going?" "I have to run some errands, Nar. Come on, get your shoes." "Why do you have to run errands?" "Because I have to pay people to keep lights on and water running. We also need to get groceries, unless you don't want to eat." "I do, but why do you need to pay people?" blah blah blah.... it would usually end up with me saying to this sweet child in appearance, "Naria do you know which letter in the alphabet Mommy doesn't like?" She would answer, "The letter "Y". But why?"

But questions, I am finding out are the only way we find out things. I'm thankful God is not like us parents! He allows us to ask why even when He is commanding us to do something. "But why do I have to give my last $20 to him? Cant he get a job?' or "Lord why do I have to forgive her? She really hurt my feelings!" or even, "Why is it that everybody around me is prospering but me?" That last one was recent for me.

The mother in this text is asking the important questions to her child, the thought provoking questions that ALL parents should be asking. "What are you doing?" This is an important question because if we as the parents don’t ask it, the world will. We should be asking this question to find out what their agenda is so that if something they are doing is not lining up with God's will for them; we can point it out and redirect them to Christ. If the world is allowed to ask, guess where they are directing them. We are the first arrow they will have pointing them to God.

In my You version devotion I am doing, Parenting by Design (awesome by the way!), I am learning just that. I am learning what battles to choose, what questions to ask and even what discipline really is versus punishment. I am noticing there is a lot more clashing going on in the house, but there is always disruption when you are renovating a house, especially when you are gutting out the inside completely. I am learning to love past their, well, what I see as their mistakes and disappointments. I am learning to love them into totally surrendered godly daughters and onlyiest son. How light this burden is for me now! Now don’t get me wrong, they don’t run amuck in my house, still. They don’t get to talk to me any kind of way, they don’t get to do whatever they want (which is torturing my youngest, who acts like the oldest) but they now have more freedom then they did when I was raising them according to what the world did.

I still ask questions. My kids can testify that they will still here, "What are you doing?" I have been asking that since they were just learning to walk and warned me of imminent trouble, they were getting into with their silence. I will continue when they have spouses, children and even grandkids, God give me life that long. I ask them that to know what they are doing at that time. I ask so that they know I care. I ask it as a warning, for them to think about what they are doing just as my mother asked me when I was digging my very deep pit to lay in. I appreciate her for that.

As adult kids we can see this question as meddling but then turn to ask our kids the same. I don’t care how old your children are, the kids in your neighborhood or even friends and family. Asking "what are you doing" can help them to see what they could be getting into if asked the right way. Galatians 6 says that we are to help a brother or sister gently and humbly. This is an open ended question that will do that if asked in a sincere way.

 Do this for me; ask 'what are you doing,' three different ways. Ask it first angrily, then sarcastically and last sincerely in the mirror. Think about which one you would respond to. Going from the Golden Rule of treating others as we want to be treated, how you take that if someone asked you? Then for the rest of the week, be conscious of how you ask this question. How you ask any question. And feel free to ask your teens other open ended questions to keep them from falling away. Like, "where are you going?", "what are you reading?" "What are you listening to?" "Who are you talking to?" and "how was your day? What did you do today?" is really important. The old lie that as your kids get older they need independence and privacy is still a lie! I tell my kids they can have full privacy when they leave the nest and independence when they can create what God did in 6 days.

I love the lesson I got from this text. To ask the wise and meaningful questions, and to listen. As much as my kids love to ramble on, I love to listen. And they can tell when I’m not! Listen to your children and the children around you before someone less concerned with them as they are with what they can do listens.

Father, I don’t always ask the right questions of people, but I do want to always ask the wise ones. Help me to do that with my kids and others. Help me to ask them in the right way and to listen when they answer. Wisdom is first found in the fear of You. As I seek You and Your righteousness, plant in me this fear of You so that I can implant it into those around me. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you have never known that wisdom comes first from fearing God or what fear of God even looks like, it's time you did. Jesus came that we might be saved from our lack of knowledge of God causing us to sin against His commands. He died while we were in the midst of sinning, not after we got our lives together. He then rose so that we could live in Him. Are you one He died for? If you are breathing, then you are. Say this prayer or one similar. God, I am a sinner, I can’t do this on my own. My questions aren’t as wise as I would like on my own. Help me! I do believe that You sent Your only Son to die for my many sins and then be raised from the dead so I can live in Him. I know that I am forgiven, and I thank You. I speak from my mouth that Jesus is Savior (saved me) and Lord (in control of me) of my life. Jesus come live in me, in Jesus name, Amen!

For those who said this prayer or one in your own words like it, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!! For those who did not, I pray that you come to that conclusion quickly! He is waiting for you with open arms and love like you've never known! Do not delay, for tomorrow is not promised, only possible.

31 Days Of Living Wise Devotional Day 1

Proverbs 31:1 "The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:"

Mothers, YOU are the one to teach your son how women should be treated by how you carry yourself, and how to know a wise woman. You are also the first one to teach your daughters how to BE wise women. In our daily walks of life, whether in Christ or the world, we are teaching our children how they should be when they get older.

I can remember the first time my youngest daughter displayed road rage, at age 7! We were in the car and someone had "wronged" me somehow so I began to yell at them as if they could hear me. As I was yelling, I could also hear a small sweet voice yelling at them the same things I was! Thank God I never cursed in front of my children.... well almost never. It was at that very moment that I realized my children imitate what I do. They are all mini me's. Now I would love to say that that was the pivotal turning point from me when I surrendered and led a Christ loving, God fearing, Bible teaching life, but I did not. I had many other times when that same way-to-bright light bulb went off when I was with my children. Slowly I began to see the poison I had spoon fed them ooze back out and show it's deadliness through them. My sarcasm, they had it. My smart mouth, they had it. My attitude issues, they had it. My carelessness, they had it. I would have given up if I had not seen one flicker of hope, my love flickering through. We were the Fantastic Four and no matter what we love each other. I could see that in how they clung to me when I was down.

We as moms need to be careful, even of our conversations on the phone. You know the ones when someone else is doing the complaining about the woman in church, or the mom in your study group who doesn't seem to have it together. The one where we "lend" our all too eager listening ear and every once in a while let out a "WHAT?!" or a "She did not!" or even a "Are you kidding me?!" Our kids are listening to our actions more than they are our words. Every little flinch we make when God brings a trial our way or when in our storms of life and it lightening we jump, they see that and will begin to react the same way.

 Let's begin fresh by showing them what a wise life should be by making wise and conscience decisions 24/7. The scripture is right when it says "whatever (WHATEVER) one sow, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7 What will you begin to show your children and not only your children but also your children's children? Legacies live on, poison dissolves once taken.

Father, I repent and ask forgiveness for the way I have raised up the children You gave to me in confidence. I thank You that You knew what they would have to endure with me and have made a way yet to bring them out as pure gold, not only them but me also. I declare broken generational curses and from this moment on pour Your goodness into their lives only. Convict me whenever I bring out that old poison because it seems easier to give them and replace it with Your unconditional love for me so I can pour it out on them. In Jesus name, Amen!