pruning | considering the word

Pr. 22:18: “For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips”

Keeping the words of wisdom and knowledge within us is not only wise, but indeed, it is pleasant.

When Satan tempted Jesus, Jesus responded with the scripture. When Satan attacks us with doubt, fear, anxiety, and other lies, it helps if we have the truth from the Word of God fixed upon our lips.

Lie: I am unworthy. I am not good enough. I am inferior.

Truth: God formed me in my mother’s womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are the works of God. (Ps. 139:13-14)

Lie: I can’t do this. This will turn out so badly. I’m not strong enough.

Truth: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. The Lord will show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (Phil. 4:13, 1 Co. 12:9, 2 Ch. 16:9)

Lie: I can’t trust anyone. I can’t bear this.

Truth: The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. If I humble myself in the sight of the Lord, He will lift me up. Branches are pruned to bear more fruit. (Pr. 29:25, Ja. 4:10, Jo. 15:2)

Lie: God will never forgive me. I will never be good enough for God to love me.

Truth: Greater love has no on than this, than to lay down His life for his friends. God loved me so much that He gave His only Son, that believing in Him I would not perish but have everlasting life. God did not send His song into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Jesus prayed for me, asking God that I would know “that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (Jo. 15:13, Jo. 3:16-17, Jo. 17:23)

Isn’t God’s Word much more pleasant than the lies that Satan whispers? The best part is that God’s Word is the truth. It is pure. It is proven. And God is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (Pr. 30:5)

Know the Word and know the pleasant truth of a love that is unlike any other. Fix it in your heart and upon your lips.

Trusting,

jamie

Pr. 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

When I went to church this morning, I tried to type a post about this verse, but my wi-fi on my phone wasn’t working very well. I am glad it wasn’t. The Lord changed what I needed to say during my time at church.

My Sunday school class was on my mind when I woke up this morning and this verse made me think of them even more; and of my job as their teacher. Occasionally I wonder if it matters. This verse reminds me that it does. As I minister to these 4th graders each week I am training them in the way they should go. Like training a vine to grow in the direction you desire, we are all training children to go a certain way. I have been charged with caring for these certain children and I must take my job very seriously, as it has eternal consequences.

I want the children in my Sunday school class to head towards the Lord, therefore I must train them and guide them towards Him. To encourage growth I have to prune them to get the unwanted or dead growth from their lives. (the things of this world that don’t truly matter) To point them in the right direction I must attach the Word of God upon them to hold them in place. To encourage that they continue on the right path I must pray with them and for them. I am also encouraging them to pray for one another as they journey together towards the Lord.

Each Sunday I am giving them all the care and attention I can to ensure healthy growth that ends at the only place that matters—with their Savior, the true Vine. Today we learned a lesson on patience, played games, shared personal concerns, and then I taught them how to look up scriptures in their Bibles. These things may not seems glamorous while in the classroom with distracted students; however, they couldn’t be more important. I am helping to equip people to grow in their spiritual maturity throughout the rest of their lives. I am trusting that God will do the rest once they leave me, and that truly when they are old they will not depart from the truths they are learning even now.

It’s never to late to train, but your example is the loudest teacher. Stay strong in the Lord and continue your journey. God will bring the harvest. What you are doing matters!

Lord, bless my students today and throughout this week. Let them hear your voice and feel your touch each week as they grow under my care. Let them remember the truth of Your Word that we learn each week and help them to continue to apply it to their lives. Lord, please help me not to grow weary in well-doing but to remember that one day You will reap the harvest of their souls.

Happy Gardening!

jamie