Pr. 1:3 | considering the word

Lord, just like the writer of Ps. 119:59, I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste and did not delay, for Your Word says that those who disdain correction will find poverty and shame. Those who regard a rebuke; however, will be honored. Lord, more than honor for me, I want my life to honor You. Thank You for delivering me from destruction.

Pr. 13:4 says, “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” Lord, if it takes me getting up at midnight to praise You; or reading Your Word in the early hours of the morning, that is what I will do. I will be diligent in my pursuit of You in order that my soul might be rich. You are better than any treasure. The wisdom that I gain from Your Word is life-giving and more advantageous than any other knowledge I could gain. When I listen to my Father’s instructions, I am wise.

Guide my feet to wise men and women who also fear You. Give me companions that keep Your precepts and understand that the earth is full of Your mercy. This way, Lord, You may turn us away from the snares of death.

Help me to act with knowledge and not folly. Help me to fear Your commandments all the days of my life. I long for that eternal reward…eternity with You. I love You, Lord, and I thank You for giving me Your Word and for loving me enough to discipline me when necessary. Thank You for wanting me that much. You are an amazing Father!

I love you,

jamie

2 Thessalonians speaks of one who will come in deceit, proclaiming to be God. Paul reminds the church that they were called by the gospel, for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. He urges the church to stand fast and hold the traditions which we were taught, so as not to be deceived.

Religious traditions get a bad rap, and sometimes rightfully so. God did not call us to ‘religion’, but to Him. We can clearly read that Jesus didn’t care for men’s religious rules, but for true worship and belief.

On the other hand, some traditions are pivotal in keeping us as a true follower of Christ. How can we follow someone we don’t know? Reading our Bible opens our hearts and minds to truly know the Lord. How can we have a relationship with someone with whom we don’t speak? Praying keeps us humble before the mighty God, and open to asking for His own will in our lives. Prayer reminds us who it is upon which we depend.

Pr. 1:3 reminds us that the traditions of prudence, knowledge, and discretion are located in God’s Word, and are also very beneficial to us. “To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.”

There are deceitful teachings around us that call discretion ‘out-dated’, prudence ‘old fashioned’, and knowledge of God’s Word ‘unnecessary and narrow-minded.’ The Lord reminds us through Paul; however, that some ‘traditional’ things will keep us from being deceived by one who is not the Living God. We were called to believe in the truth, and traditions that enhance our belief are beneficial.

I’m not telling anyone to get busy keep man’s rules. I’m encouraging us to hold tightly to the things remind us of the truth of God’s Word, and keep us close to Him. Those are the things that just might save our lives.

Stand fast,

jamie