Thoughts on Proverbs 1:1-7

Here are some “similar” words used in these few verses. It must be significant that they used a particular word over another. How is one word different from the other? I think a study of the original text is important.

• Knowledge
• Wisdom
• Instruction
• Understanding
• Insight
• Prudence
• Discretion 
• Learning
• Guidance

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”‭‭

Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As I start my journey through Proverbs, this verse should be at the foundation. The proverbs are meaningless without the fear of the Lord. 

Thoughts on 2 Timothy 1: 1-7

“As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I don’t think I’ve ever served God to the point of tears.. That says a lot on how much — or how little — I have surrendered of my life to God.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The flame can die down, it weakens, if not constantly fanned.

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Power. Love. Self-control. It is there, in you. Remind yourself, remind others: fan into flame the gift of God.

Thoughts on Jonah 1

“But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” (‭‭Jonah‬ ‭1:3‬ ESV‬‬)

Repetitive? Repetition is to put emphasis, importance – there is absolutely no way we can flee the presence of the Lord.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.”
(‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:7-12‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

The storm is not punishment, the storm is not coercion, the storm is love. God’s love for Jonah, and for any follower who – maybe because of a short lapse in judgement – tries to flee from God. It is a love that pursues.

We cannot remain silent regarding an ongoing disobedience, when we are secretly living in sin. The people around us can tell, they will know, Christ-follower or not.

Repent. Own up to your mistake. Accept justice.. and mercy… and grace.

And see awesome things happen.

Thoughts on Deuteronomy 1

I referred to the following links to get a background on the Book of Deuteronomy:

• http://www.biblica.com/en-us/bible/online-bible/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-deuteronomy/
• http://m.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/view.cgi?n=1584

Deuteronomy 1 is a retelling of what happened in the previous books. To me this shows the importance of remembering and passing on our experiences to the next generation. We share to them the good, so that they can be encouraged, and the bad, so that they can be warned and learn from our mistakes. 

Obedience and Timing. When God says go, go. When God says stop, stop. When God says it’s time to move, it’s time to move. Don’t go before God, don’t delay in obeying God.

Which is harder? Staying or Going? In our human nature, we complain either way (how strange).

It’s hard to obey God – to trust God – that He knows better than us. That He will provide for us, that He will protect us. We need to learn that whether we stay or we go doesn’t matter as long as we’re in the center of God’s plan.

Delayed obedience is disobedience. And obedience is more important than good intentions. God’s command in the past, that you did not obey, may not be the same command today. Don’t guess, seek Him always.