DISCIPLINE #7 OF 12 - COUNSEL

 THE BMIC BLAST - JUNE 2025

THINK SERIES #14: THINK CRITICALLY - THE INTRO

Critical thinking is not what your critics (if you have any, of course, lol) think of us.   It requires the capacity to do the following:

1. Look at an issue with the end in mind.

2. Identify what we need to do about it

3. Consider all the sides of what needs to be done to address said issue.

4. Consider the consequences of each action.

5. Consider who is going to be affected by any course of action

6. Take all that information and go to the Lord with it

7. Make the decision

 

We are born with the ability to think. The Cambridge dictionary definition is actually the simplest and most effective short definition of Critical Thinking.  Cambridge defines it as “the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings”.

 

As we already know, it is not something that is taught in the US education system, where feelings and other agendas trump the basics of reading, writing, and ‘arithmetic – the Three R’s (so to speak). It was something we hired a missionary almost two decades ago to teach our three kids as part of their education ,and it was a great lesson for me as well.  This kind, gentle man, let’s call him John Smith Jones, was the epitome of kindness, patience, and grace.

How he taught Critical Thinking was a great example to me of how we should approach anything. Whether it is how we teach our kids the Bible or the tenets of our Christian Faith, there has to be a method that cries out for effectiveness. For many years, the fact that many Christian families lose their children to practical atheism by High School or College has bothered me until we figured out why – many young people do not connect the Bible stories they hear in Sunday School to real life, themselves, and the real Person of Jesus.  When you add some parents living double lives or no life of righteousness at all, young people will walk from that kind of hypocrisy.

 

There is a relationship between Critical Thinking and the education of our kids in the Ways of our Lord. The Bible says in Psalm 139:17-18 the following: “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, Oh God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I am awake, I am still with You”.

 

These are our Heavenly Father’s and Creator’s thoughts:

* They are Precious

* They are so many and far-reaching they cannot EVER be counted (think about the stars in the sky – can you count them?)

* They are permanent

* They are embedded in the beings, just like the Law of God or our consciences

* They are ever present, whether we access the most valuable treasures found in the Mind of Our God.

 

Please note also, in Verse 17, the amount of original exclamation marks! King David, who we know from Psalm 51 was indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God to write the Psalms, was excited that the very thoughts and Mind of Christ were with him!

 

Now, look at the thoughts we have. Check Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me o God and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts, and there if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way”.

What kinds of thoughts do we have?  Well, anxious ones with the capacity and potential to cause hurt to others and us”!

 

The human condition is right there in the Bible.

We are full of anxiety, worry, and stress from both real and imaginary enemies, and our way to blood pressure medication or worse.

We are prime candidates for depression, depression meds, and being super discouraged to the point of even doubting God.

 

All of this happens because we do not think Biblically, as we spelled out in the past 13 posts on the “THINK SERIES”, nor do we practice “Critical Thinking” in most of our daily lives.

 

Biblical Thinking was addressed first in this series since we must possess the foundation on which to operate successfully as a man or woman of God. Critical Thinking will take a look at each of the seven (7) critical steps listed above and the benefits therein.

We will use the following as our theme verse, for this exercise, from Proverbs 14:15, where the Bible says, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thoughts to his steps.”

PERSONAL COURAGE - 7TH VALUE OF A SOLDIER OF CHRIST

PRINCIPLES FOR LIFE - WISDOM, PART 2

 TEXT:  PROVERBS 2:11-21

WHAT IS BEAUTY? - JENN GOTZON & JIM CHANDLER EXPLAIN

Jenn Gotzon and her husband Jim E. Chandler with The Farmer and The Belle just released "What is True Beauty?" trailer (41min doc) providing humor, wisdom, prayer, and tools to uplift women and teenage girls about who they are in Jesus. 

Companion young adult book "Beauty & Likes: Experiencing God's Truth about Your Looks" book trailer was also released.

 

PLUMBLINE DEVOTIONAL: COLOSSIANS 4:2-6

TEXT:  COLOSSIANS 4:2-6

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

PART 3: --> UNDERSTANDING THE FEAR OF THE LORD = LIFE, WISDOM

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. (Psalm 19:9)

In this short three part series, we have arrived at the point which many believers (and non-believers to be sure) have a little trepidation. It involves the “Fear of the Lord”. We all know that our God is both a consuming fire and greatly to be feared. The demons feared the Lord Jesus on His brief 33 years here on earth as a human, and they recognized Him immediately, when the learned men of the Faith did not. But....Jesus did say to us that we should only fear the One Who has the power to cast both body and soul into Hell.

This is not the fearsome God of Wrath, of which David speaks in here Psalm 19:9.  Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, He says “the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever”. This kind of “fear” is directly connected to the awesome power, awe, majesty and glory of God Himself.  The Proverbs tell us that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. This is true. The more we are immersed in the purity of The Word of God – the Bible – the wiser we get in His Mighty ways and not only do we come to love and appreciate Him….we come to fear Him in both His power and love and ability to rain down wrath.

His Holiness is what should impress us the most as it then becomes the standard for us, the more we know about Him, from the Word and prayer.

Due to the fact that He is God, from Eternity Past to Eternity Future, all His precepts, commands and decrees reflect His permanent attributes of Holiness, Righteousness, Steadfastness, Purity and Truth. They remain the forever standard in both the Heavens and in our brief lives on earth.

This incredible attributes – Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Ominiscient among them – make His judgments true and right.Psalm 19:9b reflects this truth.  The Word of the Lord mirrors His nature. He cannot be otherwise.

In light of all of this, we, who are called by His Name, are expected to rise to the place where He is. It is not an impossible task. The closer we get to Him, the more realize that 1. He cannot be stopped and 2. Why do we want to stop Him? Let’s join Him where He is.

To so do, we learn from all He has said about Himself, and His Word in the previous verses of Psalm 19:7-8 and what we learned in this three part series. We then embed it in our souls and intentionally live it out. It is requires an intense love for the Lord and His Word, His people and a committed desire to a lasting relationship with the Eternal Truths of Scripture, all the days of our lives.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved

PSALM 103 VERSES 11 AND 12: "I AM FREE"

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:11-12

The sheer vastness and magnificence of the Universe hide the incredible depth and dimensions of its size.  There is no scientist of super-computer around that can begin to measure the galaxies, systems and more of God’s Creation.  As finite human beings, we need to come to terms with the sheer puniness of our being and the magnificent God Who created us.

He is a multi-dimensional God. He is always thinking and working and moving at all times. He existed BEFORE the Creation of the Earth, as recorded in Genesis and Job 38-41. There is no way to fathom Eternity Past. The only point of reference we, who are alive today have, is now.  This is a momentary blip in time. Read the entire book of Ecclesiastes to see just who insignificant this modern age is, in comparison to God’s Kingdom. Yet, to each of us, it is the most consequential “blip” there is!

Psalm 103, verses 11 and 12 are great examples of the length, breadth, height, and width of God’s love. His love and grace cannot be measured. In the very distant past, a rebel named Nimrod tried to reach Heaven by building a huge Tower.  That Tower could never even get close to getting out of the Earth’s atmosphere, far less reach into out of space. It is the tallest structure ever built. There is absolutely no way we can reach the top of the skies even if all the scientists and mathematicians of the world united in this one mission. This is how wide, in theory, and practice, God in His Mercy and love is for us!

These are not mere words to attempt to sound wise, holy or both! This is a fact. God’s “loving kindness” is both His pure love and mercy towards us. However, please NOTE the qualifier! Verse 11, again speaks of the unfathomable mercy of God….TO THOSE WHO FEAR HIM!  Correct -  This FEAR OF THE LORD comes from a healthy love, respect and awe, along with obedience TO Him because of Who He is. Instead, what we see today, more and more is those who are considered the “wise” in this world, lack any Fear of God, whatsoever.

Please be assured of this – if you fear God, keep His commands and walk daily with Him, His love for you and what He can, will and wants to do for us through the entire rest of our natural lives – knows no bounds.

In fact, He takes our transgressions – the second level of horrible sins – and throws them across the sea of forgetfulness far away from us and His sight. Horizontally, He addresses the junction of our interpersonal and divine relationships through forgiveness and His vertical Divine Grace and Love – BECAUSE WE FEAR HIM.

This is the primary benefit of the Christian. Only our sins are forgiven and we are shown grace.  By the very act of accepting the finished work on the Cross, and surrendering to Jesus Christ as Lord and Master and Savior of our lives, we have shown the necessary  “Fear of the Lord”, which is the beginning of wisdom. We are thus, the truly wise on this planet. (Repentance is both implicit and explicit in this entire process). 

Do not be too blasé about the removal of sins far away from us. For an example, if we are forgiven the sins of alcohol abuse or lust of the eyes, we are forgiven. However, if we go dragging up the past by "remembering the good ol' days" while talking with friends or even giving a testimony, the accuser will throw your past back up into your face. He will then make you question if God really forgives you. Do NOT let that rest. Rebuke this accusation and thought and remember that he (us) whom the Son (Jesus) sets free, IS FREE INDEED! So, stay free. Leave your sins where God cast them. He threw them to the other side of the sea, forgot them and so should you! We are to rest in the position of Victory in Jesus through the forgiveness, the permanent forgiveness, of our sins. Amen.

This is the place where we desire to be, and where we will abide all the days of our lives. The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. We were like the latter before we became the former. What an amazing blessing this is! 

THE 3:16 VERSES OF THE BIBLE, PART 12: "THE BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAILS"

He made chains in the inner sanctuary and placed them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates and placed them on the chains (2 Chronicles 3:16)

Almost anyone, from any walk of life, marvels at the intricate pattern of colors at the creation of an intricately detailed and beautiful butterfly from a caterpillar, or the rugged majesty of a bald eagle in flight. Both creatures emanate from the unfathomable mind and creative powers of Almighty God. He has made everything in its season, according to the purposes of His Will, according to His Love, Grace and Mercy.

Words are not enough to describe or define the Mind and Methods of the Great God of Heaven Who is Eternal, not created and has always lived forever. There is no way to wrap our puny little minds around just Who He is; How Powerful He is and How Majestic He is. 

He is to be feared. 

He is to be revered. 

He is to be loved. 

He is to be worshipped. 

He is loved. 

He is to be obeyed. 

He is to fully sold out and committed to -willingly. 

He is God. 

(To read just a brief glimpse of behind the scenes with God @ Creation” – (CLICK HERE AND READ JOB CHAPTERS 38-41)

This God of Heaven never leaves His created children guessing as to how we should conduct ourselves (see: All of the Bible). He is also very meticulous about how He wants certain things done, made and the instruction is ALWAYS down to the last details. The popular (to the world) cliché of the "devil behind in the details" could not be MORE wrong. GOD is in the details. He is very specific in how we should live - from the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 to how we can keep our thoughts clear, clean and culture-enhancing, in Philippians 4:8. When Moses spoke with God about the desert Tabernacle, Moses was told: "Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you" (Exodus 25:9). Then in the chapters that follow, the pattern details were filled in.

Here in 2 Chronicles 3, the great king Solomon is putting the final touches on the most magnificent temple or church ever built in human history and they are the epitome of artistic creation and beauty. If you read the entire chapter (here), you will notice the full attention paid to measurements, the appropriate color to use as well as the items, which comprise the detailing of each portion of the construction. It is like the best contractor one can think of who builds your dream house, then uses the most exquisite trim to set off the room, which he or she has just put up for you.

The choice of pomegranates is particularly interesting. This fruit is full of many healing qualities which will be studied in detail at another time, but for now, we see the pomegranate mention several times in the Bible. It is one of two Biblical fruit which have special significance. We read in Exodus 28:33-34  that the images of pomegranates should be woven into the hem of the "me'il" (or 'the robe of ephod'), a robe worn by the Jewish High Priest. It is said, in ancient Judaism (where half of our faith comes from, as Judeo-Christian believers), that the pomegranate represents fruitfulness, knowledge, learning, and wisdom.

This is what we expect when we go into our modern temples or churches. But more importantly, these are the qualities which God expects from all this children.

We are to be fruitful not just in building our families and homes, but in our outreach to others. We do so with the same grace, love and compassion which Christ showed us, when He first saved us.

We are to be knowledgeable in all the Ways of the Lord by learning about Him. God Himself says that His people suffer due to a lack of knowledge. In modern terms, this means Christians are more illiterate about the Word of God – the Bible. This is not for a lack of Bibles in the wealthy western world. It is due to wanton neglect and the unintentional consequences of the last two generations of church leaders who promoted the idea that carrying a bible to church was not cool, and all the church-goer had to do was to read the verses on the TV screen above the preacher on Sunday morning. All kinds of recent surveys, from Barna to the Pew Research Center, confirm that only around 9% of Christians have a Biblical Worldview. That means the Knowledge of the Lord, His Ways and His Marvelous Attributes are unknown by those who call themselves by His Name.

This Knowledge is key to being the “beautiful trim” in the Kingdom God is building for those whom He calls.  The desire to know Him comes with being born-again. Knowledge of the Holy is what leads to being fruitful for the King. It is critical that we attempt to influence those around us who have access to 100 bibles a piece, to open them and comprehend. Even if most folks do not read these days, dramatized audio bibles make the Living Word come alive. Let us not give up or grow weary in the Learning about our great God and Savior. In this lifetime, we will never learn enough about Him. But we can have wisdom to process the little we know.

This brings us to the third thing which the Pomegranate represents in Old Testament times, which is and could be a huge benefit to us, today in the church age. This is Wisdom.  The dictionary definition of wisdom is, to paraphrase, a combination of good judgment and making sound decisions guided by experience….in so many words. Biblical Wisdom is a different kettle of fish. The Christian who seeks Biblical Wisdom has a big qualifier right off the bat and it begins and ends with one thing. This one thing is the Fear of the Lord.

We are not talking just about fearing what God can do – this is natural, even to the unbeliever or pagan. The Fear of the Lord is a holy, reverent respect for the Almighty, Who He is and What He has done.  This qualifies the believer to then seek and attain Godly wisdom which leads to understanding His calling.

We are called to walk in Wisdom, as in here: "Ephesians 5:15-16 "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil". 

We are called to talk with Wisdom, as the Scripture says here: "Proverbs 16:23 "The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips."

Finally, we are called to attain to the Wisdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who speaks fearlessly, throughout the entire Bible. What does any of this have to do with 2 Chronicles 3:16? As Solomon laid out the beautiful pomegranates as trim to bring out the beauty of the temple walls, so must we, in righteousness, knowledge and wisdom live our lives as fruitful and full of passion for the Lord as possible. Amen.

WORD OF LIFE, PART 21: "REAL HOPE COMES FROM HERE"

Previously, (Part 19, verses 145-152) we looked at how the Lord set up the

mechanism of addressing the deep matters of the Soul. Depression is nothing to be trifled with, but the Bible has the answers. The key to discerning is the wisdom of the biblically wise and experienced who are continually in sync with the Holy Spirit and can expound on the Words of Scripture, which were designed for the Soul.

There is no one more perfect and full of insight on the Human Condition than the Creator Who made us. He knows the end from the beginning and everything in between. One day when we get to heaven, it will be even more incredible. It is only then we will fully comprehend why our Heavenly Father sent His One-of-a-kind (Begotten) Son- Yahweh, the Lord Jesus to become like us, so His divinity can address our hurts and needs from first-hand experience. There is nothing, nowhere else in this entire thing called Life and the Universe, which is even close enough to spell the word “compare”.

So when the Lord teaches on the downer of a topic like Depression, He also shows us the way out. The way out is Hope. Hope is always there. However, there is a mechanism which the man, woman and child of God can access to easily grasp this Hope! This Hope is found in a renewed spirit, a restored heart and a right perspective.  In my upcoming new book, based on the actual Prayers of the Bible, we go deeper into the Divine Plan and Purpose of Prayer, by using the actual words of Scripture, in context, to accomplish that. But for now, there are several key points we can discern from these next eight verses of Psalm 119, which will help the lost, hurting and those in despair.
Psalm 119:161-168
Shin.
161  Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words.
162 I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and despise falsehood, but I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous ordinances.
165 Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I hope for Your salvation, O Lord, and do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

The Oracles of Hope:
• Verse 161 is proof that the truly born-again has a heart and mind stayed upon Jehovah, fully resting in Him and NO ONE - no king, commoner or in-between, can remove us from Him. We have an eternal promise which will overrule death, because this world really has not power over us, except in a temporary sense. So be encouraged - we have already won!

• Verse 162 shows a person in distress, yet, such a person rejoicing in the Word, Power and Promises of God in the Scriptures because the Holy Spirit testifies they are true. Right off the bat, this is no minor thing or anything to be trifled with.

• Verse 163b shows from WHERE this Hope comes from. That is, “loving God, His Bible and the Word Who became flesh – the Lord Jesus Christ”.

• Verse 164 is explicit proof that a person grounded in Truth (of Scripture) will be full of non-stop praise and worship! Our life, our demeanor, our self-discipline and witness are also testimonies to the Resident Power within us – the Spirit of the Living Christ!

• Verse 165 is an ABSOLUTE GUARANTEE to those who believe God. Why? Because we are the ones who have the True Inner Peace with passes ALL understanding! The world cannot get us! We start hospitals and risk our lives for those who hate us and forgive those who trespass against us! Why? Because we have the Pax Domine – the Peace of God in Christ.

• Verse 166 is another absolute guarantee.  We all know what the Rapture of the Church is.  That is the time when the Living and the dead in Christ rise up at the Trumpet Sound when Jesus sends His Angels to bring His children home to heaven. That Final Rescue has been longed for by man since Jesus ascended back in to Heaven in Acts 1:9-11 and with every believer since. That Final Rescue is one day closer each day as there IS  a real timeline to events prophesied in Scripture. That Final Rescue will only be for those who obey God, love God and commit their entire lives to Him as Lord, Savior and Master.

• Verse 167 shows the reason we follow the Words of Scripture so closely, or at least try to, since we really cannot do this under our own power. We could, should and would want to be like Christ for one simple reason – He first loved us. There was nothing lovable about us in in our makeup and sinful life that will appeal to heaven to have mercy, love and compassion on us. It is ONLY Grace that we did not die in our sins and get dispatched to hell, as most of mankind was/is/will be. It is only God’s Love, which even when we were yet sinners, sent the Son of God (Jesus) to die on the Cross for us. We love Him and want to be like and obey His Word, not just because He saved us from Hell, but because He restored us to right standing before Him (justification)…..because He is maturing us in Him (sanctification)….to one day allowing us to spend eternity with Him (glorification). WOW!

• Verse 168 brings us to a major acknowledgement of one of the major Attributes of God – His Omniscience (all-knowing). The sooner people understand not just Who God is but How all Powerful and incredible He is, the better for us.  Our view of God determines the permanent condition of our souls, our standing before God and our effectiveness as His people. The more we study His Word, are obedient to the Holy Spirit, wonder at His Universe and love Him, the more we will come as close to a true knowledge of the Almighty, this side of Heaven.

PRAY FOR.....GREATER FAITH

21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe;help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24)
Can a believer NOT believe? Sure we can. It’s the frail human nature, which though replaced as a perishing soul at regeneration (or born-again) still continues to live in a mortal body, in a corrupt and evil world. But it is more than just our present temporary environment in this life.  We don’t believe completely sometimes because we just don’t know! We do not know because we do not read His Word and we are not led to read His Words because of a stunning lack of discipleship. We have a lack of the latter because we don’t know His Power and His Presence completely in our lives.

We do the same thing to Jesus and our Heavenly Father, which this father of the demon-possessed boy did in the verses above.  To wit, he actually said to Jesus (as translated into modern English in the New Living Translation) “have mercy on us  and help us IF YOU CAN”! Should we then be surprised when Jesus’ immediate response is “What do you mean, ‘IF I CAN’?” (verse 23a,  Mark chapter 9).

And we do the same thing: we approach God in prayer with our most serious needs, lay them before Him, then pick them right back up and go back to our corners with them. Then we call up all friends and family asking them to pray for us.  All along, Jesus stands with His Arms wide open waiting for His children to come to Him.  Is the Arm of the Lord too short?  Not it is not. He is our Prophet – He orders and ordains our past, present and future. He is our High Priest Who prays and intercedes for this who are His, and lifts us up in prayer to the Father when we ask in Faith!

Look at what Jesus said to the boy’s father here again in Mark 9:23b “anything is possible for he who believes” (NLT)! The response from the father is just so great. He has enough faith to believe Jesus can heal his son, but it appears to be the kind of faith which was just enough to look at the Lord as a “drive-up clinic”….without knowing Who Jesus really is! Thus when the boy’s father said “Lord, I believe, help my  unbelief”, he is asking for such a bump up in the measure of Faith he currently possessed that we, in this century 2000 years later, need to sit up and take notice.  

No matter how spiritually mature we think we are, we must always be pressing into and on to our higher calling in Christ. We can never know even 10% of what we should know. In fact,  after we’ve been in heaven there for 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun, we will not know half of Who the Lord is. This is why we have Eternity. But for this current life, it behooves us to be humble enough to realize we are still not as strong in our Faith as we should be, could be or would be. So why not ask  as this man did of Jesus: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!” There is no simpler expression of Faith in God than this – simple, to the point, with full clarity in recognition of the paucity of our frailty before the Almighty!

Father in the Mighty and strong Name of Jesus, I believe, I trust, I have faith….but not enough.  Help me to understand the breadth and width and depth of the great mystery of our Faith, so that I may begin to comprehend just how great a God You are, Lord. Assist us in acquiring a modicum of supernatural Faith which is way beyond what is common.  Father, many have accepted You as Lord and Master of our lives, yet we do now know, nor do some even venture to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of just Who You really are beyond the baseline of the Christian Faith. Lord, we want more. 

We want to know more of You, see more of You, be more in Your Presence. We want to desire to walk fully in the knowledge of the Holy and travel in the paths of Your Righteousness, but first oh God, give us the capacity to dispatch with our incorrect notions. 

These wrong assertions about You, have come from a lifetime of traveling in the wisdom of the world or in the works of Christian authors and teachers who do not fully grasp the Power and Position You have always occupied at the Throne Room of all Time in the Universe. Lord as we get rid of our error, replace with Truth and Revelation, as much as we can handle, process and then walk out in our daily lives, helping as many as we can to come to that same place of knowing the Real God and Your amazing wonderful self.  Lord, we believe….take away any unbelief and replace it with more of You, in Jesus all Wise and Power Name, amen

(Photo Credit Here)

PRAY FOR.....WISDOM

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).

Wisdom and common sense are at such a premium these days that they shine out loud when deployed in plain view of this foolish era. The wisdom of God is a  whole lot different from the wisdom of man and most times, the two shall never meet. We can buy all the self-help books in Barnes and Noble or even a Christian bookstore. We can study the false doctrine of eastern mysticism from the Chopras and the Oprahs, but if your wisdom and worldview are not based on the Word and Oracles of God as found in the bible, they are all meaningless and a chasing after the wind.

The lost nature of man equals no true and biblical wisdom.  True wisdom comes from God and we see from the half-brother of Jesus that all we have to do is ask of God and He gives freely! The first thing we should note when asking God for Wisdom is how it begins to manifest itself in us.  That is, the fear/reverence/living-in-awe of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.  Without the proper concept of WHO God really is and the awe and respect He is due, we are no matter than the majority of this rebellious world which shakes its collective fists at Him.

So knowing that the Fear of the Lord IS the doorway to being wise in the Ways of God, we must endeavor to know why!  The Scriptures  itself gives us the reason for needing wisdom: 

- To perceive the words of understanding (Proverbs 1:2) 

-  To learn Godly self-discipline, so we can daily do what is right (Proverbs 1:3) 

-  To acquire insight into the things that mean the most in life: the basics; knowledge to provide for oneself and then to teach the next generation (Proverbs 1:4) 

-  To receive guidance from the Holy One, (via the Holy Spirit Who lives in those who are reborn in Christ),  in order to handle life’s challenges. (Proverbs 1:5)

Godly wisdom is the true knowledge of Heaven. He Who knew us from the Foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) is almost pleading with us to acquire His Wisdom. It is free and available to all who asks – in abundance! The Lord said in Proverbs 2:20-23 that His wisdom is clamoring for a home in His people. In fact, it shouts from the mountaintop of our hearts that “here I am, use me”! In Proverbs 2:23 God pleads “come listen to My counsel. I will share my heart with you and make you wise”.

LET US PRAY:  Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Kindness, Love and Compassion to us in that You found us in our sin and wandering in the wilderness of ignorance without a clue, yet in Your great mercy and long suffering, You have so freely offered the riches of Heaven – the knowledge of the Holy, the light of Eternity, the wellspring of Goodness – that we may be more like You. Lord, thank You. We cannot repay for this love You have given in the Oracles of God which You have shared with us. May we never lose sight of what we are yet to fully attain to, knowing that in this life, we will never come close to knowing the depths and heights and widths and lengths of the Ancient of Days and His great wisdom. Grant us the resolve to serve You, to remain humble and submitted before You and to never take our eyes of You – our Great God of Heaven, Who has given us life. We love, adore, worship, praise and obey You, to the Glory of Your Sovereign Name- the Name above all names – Jesus the Messiah. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE BIBLE SERIES - THE BOOK OF JAMES, #1

James is the half- brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was born of the marriage of Joseph and Mary after the Lord Himself was born of a virgin. Jude is the other well known half-brother of Jesus (as in the Book of Jude). The Savior also had another half brother and three sisters. None of the Messiah's half-sisters are mentioned by name. The Word of God (the Bible) tells us that none of these brothers and sisters believed in Him. So God made a point to say in 1 Corinthians 15:7 to point out that after the Resurrected Christ appeared to 500 people at one time, He appeared to JAMES! This confirmed the Lordship of Jesus to His half-brother. Here is the relevant passage, written by the Apostle Paul: "After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles." (1 Corinthians 15:6-7)

James became such a prayer warrior that he spent a vast majority of time on his knees praying to God. His prayer life overflows in his writing in the Book of James which reads, in total, like an extension (and exposition) of Jesus' Sermon the Mount! When James died and they were about to place him in his coffin, it is recorded that his knees were so calloused and covered with rough skin, that it "resembled a Camel's knees". 
(Read my post on "OLD CAMEL KNEES HERE).
His focus on prayer are not actual prayers themselves, but INSTRUCTION about how to pray and to Whom we should go. When James speaks, he is "E.F. Hutton" - we listen, as it is direct from God. In presenting this instruction, the goal is to point to other prayers in the Bible or unpack the instruction themselves (as in Chapter 5), in order to derive the knowledge and benefit which God wishes us to have.

James 1:5-6 says "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind". 

The instruction here is Wisdom (which begins with the Fear of the Lord), ONLY comes from God. The great and wonderful thing is- we can ask it is given to the point of overflowing! There is a caveat to asking God for wisdom. If we ask in doubt, we remain without. If we ask with the full measure of Faith, it would be great. 

To this end, let us look at King Solomon's prayer at the Dedication of the Greatest Temple in History, almost 2900 years ago and how he prayed. This is Solomon at his best, when he followed the Holy One of Israel and Him alone before easy living corrupted him.  God had offered Solomon ANYTHING he wanted, as He favored David's son. All Solomon had to do was ask. Solomon could have asked for money and fame and fortune. Instead, he asked for "BIYN" (Hebrew for a discerning heart - true Wisdom).

The encouragement here is for us to study how Solomon prayed and then follow the Word of God and do likewise. Praying for Wisdom in any circumstance is something God never refuses those of us who belong to Christians - born again believers.  Read the following passage and meditate on it from 1 Kings 3:5-12a:

 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart.

WORDS OF SOLOMON TO KEY IN ON (T.A.N.)
THANKSGIVING:You have shown great mercy (VERSE 6A)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OUR OWN HELPLESSNESS: And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. (VERSE 8)
NEED: Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. (VERSE 9)

Therefore, as the brother of the Lord - James - says...if we lack wisdom, "ask of God"!

SHOULD CHRISTIANS DO SECULAR REALITY SHOWS?

The most recent controversy involving an American reality TV show and its Christian “reality stars” seem to be the most serious of all. It surrounds Josh Duggar, the large and hugely popular (in Christian and pro-family) circles – Duggar Family of Arkansas. As we all know, there are 19 Duggar children and like most TV reality shows, this one involves the daily ups and downs of its participants, on full display for the cameras and world to see. What the dysfunctional Kardashians are to the secular celebrity culture, the Duggars are to our Christian families everywhere. That is, until the recent scandal broke about Josh Duggar.

This post is not about the details of this situation, but whether authentic Bible-believing Christians ought to be on mainstream secular television at all. We ponder whether young minds should be pridefully sharing their personal lives with a world that desires to bury anything to do with God and the Bible,  and in some religions, literally cut the heads of the still-growing Body of Christ. There are so many things in Scripture that argue against all of this and maybe, now is the time for true believers to re-evaluate the wisdom and propriety of getting involved in these types of shows. 

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Before the current Duggar Family 'scandal', there were two prominent Christian-based Reality shows on secular TV which went through their own trials and tribulations. The Benham Brothers on HGTV lost their construction-based reality show there, when it was discovered that one of them had taken a public Biblical stand on same-sex marriage in North Carolina years before. They were already successful in their private small business and have since gained for standing up for strong Biblical beliefs across the nation. 

The large Robertson Clan of West Monroe, Louisiana are a different kettle of fish. Not only were they a "from-the-ground up" successful family business, but they actually already had a popular cable TV show on The Outdoor Channel (Buck Commander etc...) before A & E made a reality show out of them. Led by the always outspoken and bible-carrying Phil Robertson, the Duck Dynasty Robertson family’s foundation was their Church of Christ home Church, the business and each other. The loss of any airtime on a channel which nobody watched before the Duckmen came on, would mean nothing to them, as their now lucrative Duck empire has spread into speaking engagements, Bibles, devotional books, apparel and more. Technology has created so many other opportunities to reach millions of people at low cost, that should they also lose their A and E program for praying in “Jesus’ Name”, or preaching hard verses from Scripture or defending the Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4 definition of marriage, they will prosper even more.

But even with this group – the Duck Dynasty folks, there are things during the

show which should not be coming out of the mouths of mature Christians. This brings us to how a Christian should really conduct oneself, where the private life lines up with the public persona.  Now, none of us know of any authentic Christians who did not have a past: whether sordid or not. Every person whom Christ calls into His Kingdom was bought at a Price paid in full on Calvary, and had sins forgiven through Repentance and Faith.   Because nobody is perfect, and we were saved by the One Who is, we, most of all, are specifically instructed to be humble and full of grace.

Jesus said “Let your light so shine before men, that they will see your works and glorify your Father in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When the Lord said that, He was not speaking of camera lights, but the Light which emanates from the sold-out believer whose talk and walk line up with what the Savior expects. What He expects is written in His Word, via His own personally chosen emissary, the Apostle Paul. Scripture is full of statutes, commands and precepts to trust and obey, but these stand out for now as they are short, plain and easily understood. 1 Thessalonians 5 says in part (from the King James Version):
- Let us who are of the day, be sober (vs. 8)
- Comfort yourselves together and edify one another (vs. 11)
- Be at peace among yourselves (vs. 13)
- Warn them that are unruly (vs. 15)
- Comfort the feeble-minded (vs. 15)
- Support the weak (vs. 15)
- Rejoice evermore (vs. 16)
- Pray without ceasing (vs. 17)
- Quench not the Spirit (vs.19)

All of this represent just a few of the guidelines which the maturing Christian should adhere to. They are not just suggestions. Neither is the following verse from 1 Corinthians 8:9 “but take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a STUMBLING BLOCK to the weak”! In another place, the Word of God tells us that all things may be legal for the Christian to participate in but NOT ALL THINGS ARE UPLIFTING…or “edifying” as 1 Thess. 5:11 exhorts! There is absolutely nothing uplifting about Willie Robertson using the word “cr*p” five times per show. Or female members of the Duggars speaking about female issues or whatever. What value is there in Uncle Si(las) Robertson using a GoPro Camera to record himself going to the bathroom after drinking his umpteenth gallon of sweet tea? We love and admire these guys and do not want them to go away, but come on, man, we’re making the Savior cringe at some of this stuff.

American Christianity has already been dumbed down enough by celebrity preachers who basically chased the last two generations of young people out of the church with their fluff and unbiblical movements.  When Hybels and others admitted that their “Seeker-sensitive” movement failed miserably to make Disciples of Christ (and thus fulfill the Great Commission), they admitted something horribly scary! When they asked rich folk in expanding US suburbs what they want from a church, and then marketed it that way…when they took the Crosses off their church walls to make the “seekers” think they’re sensitive to their “needs”….when they stopped talking and singing about the Precious Blood of Jesus shed on that Cross they just took off their mega-church walls….when they did 30-40-50 or days of purposeful nothing and thus nothing of Eternal Consequence resulted, they set the stage for a generation who think they can go on TV and be the cleaner versions of the Kardashians or the Bachelorette or whatever other sleaze is out there on network TV.

Given all the admonitions from the Word of God about conducting oneself in a manner which will not bring reproach to the Holy Name of God and the Savior Jesus Christ, it would seem that it is now high time that people who call themselves by His Name, pull back.  Most of the supporting evidence, from the Word of God, to make such recommendations were not even examined here. But future participants of American reality shows, whose “schtick” is that they’re Christians, would be better serve to blow the pound of dust off their bibles and start reading them instead. It is imperative, that before embarking on another worthless adventure, in terms of eternity, that God's people come to Him first, for counsel.

Ps….this blog stayed away from the even more controversial reality show “Preachers of LA” on purpose. That show speaks for itself, and is not even worth discussing in the same sentence as Authentic Christianity.

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SPEAK LIFE: LESSON 1 - PRAY WITH LOVE

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. (Philippians 1:9).

So many lessons on prayer, pleading and pressing in are laid out for us to grasp, learn and apply throughout Scripture and especially the New Testament, that one would have to be blowing past them at warp speed to miss these bold colors. Our great teacher and sent one from the Lord - Paul - was the master at illustrating Jesus' love for people in the way he described his modus operandi for enhancing their spiritual lives.

Paul's teachings have become stock and the standard wherein we must pattern our lives to become more Christ-like, and therefore live the life which God has called us to live. What gave Paul such authority? Well, it was more like WHO! After Jesus knocked him off his horse on the road to Damascus as he was about to do another round of killing and jailing Christians, Jesus Himself taught Paul in the Arabian desert for three years on how to impart the message and use his vast knowledge of the Law and the Prophets to explain He, of Whom, the Law and the Prophets spake - Jesus the Messiah! That gave the Apostle the authority, so when he says "be imitators of Christ" like I am - listen!

The best example of a brother in Christ, who loves people and loves fellow believers is found in these three short verses. The love shown here spoke not just volumes but absolute life to the brethren, who were stuck in the same weather military complex of Philippi alongside pagans...sort of like how we are. But Paul, building on the theme of Love, which he started in 1 Corinthians 13, continues on here. Also, please remember that Peter confirmed all Paul's letters to the churches at this time as carrying the very weight of SCRIPTURE! So there was no difference between the authority and inspiration of Paul's Words as there was with Moses in Deuteronomy! Let us now then, follow these simple steps to love someone else to Jesus, and thus, speak life to them!

PRAY:

-  THAT YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE: This resembled the Father’s love in John 3:16 “for God SO loved the world”. This agape selfless and sacrificial love is actually really easy to come by, once the love and Life of Christ abides in you and I! In these trying days, our love for fellow Christians and especially those under heavy duress, persecution and worse in the pagan parts of the world should pour out of us like ice cold milk on a hot summer day. We cannot do anything to help our persecuted brethren in the Islamic or communist countries, but we sure can pray for them. 

If western churches spend even 10% of the time loving on and praying for our brothers and sisters being beheaded and worse,  the western church would become more aligned with the Will and Purposes of God. Many people are drawn to us when we show this kind of love! Our love can also abound in material ways. Prayer, in love, leads to action which leads to real ministry to the hungry, hurting and humble. We know by the joy in our very spirit, that our prayer for particular person(s) that our intercession has feet that walk out our faith.

-  IN REAL KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNMENT: To really pray effectively for the benefit of anyone, including ourselves, we have to basically know what we are talking about. This requires a true knowledge of the Holy One - Yahweh and the Father as well as the correct literal interpretation of the Scriptures. So first, we pray because Scripture commands it. We pray because we love God and want to know Him as much as we can, on this side of Heaven. Still even if we pray 24/7/365, we will never know even half of what we will know about God one day in Heaven! We can only know Him through the Scriptures and even then, even through intentional expository study according to the Full Counsel, whereby Scripture explains Scripture. Unlike other religions, Christianity is thinking person's religious system whereby the One True God of Heaven reasons with us because His Ways are higher than ours, yet simple enough to comprehend. 

Therefore, we are a people whose faith is built on transparent knowledge and awareness of not just our created surroundings, but the Creator Who giveth all things unto us....and things which include WISDOM! Knowledge of the Holiness and Heavenly Abode of the Almighty as we love others to Jesus leads then to discernment and Godly wisdom. We MUST use discernment while praying for another. There are several reasons for this: we do not/should not mislead those for whom we are praying with false claims of things which God has not said or revealed. Name it and claim it word faith frauds are the worse offenders of this false prayer paradigm and do more harm than good, while not exhibiting Godly love at all. Godly discernment in praying in love for the needs of another is the outflow of an intentional lifestyle full of obedience and humility. The person who lives Micah 6:8 is one whose discernment is the living definition of Biblical thinking in ALL areas of our own lives. 

Remember our own brother - the Apostle Peter said the following about Biblical discernment that God "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3). So let us lay hold of this knowledge and wisdom so that when we pray and love on another and/or speak life through our Godly conduct, that we do so ENTIRELY in line with Scripture. These are the only prayers which the Father honors. To do otherwise, is to not love God with our Heart, Mind, Soul and strength (body) and therefore - not to love "our neighbor as ourselves".