Hidden Treasure, Proverbs 2:4 &5

Hidden Treasure

Proverbs 2:4 & 5 and if you look for [wisdom] as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God

Many do not see why we should fear God. They say that since God is love (1 John 4:8) and that perfect love casts out fear because there is no fear in love (1John 4:18), and that God's love is perfect, then we will not fear God, that would be just wrong. There is one problem with that thought, there are numerous scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that tell us differently. Your grandfather said many times that fearing God is having a reverent respect for him. He compared it to respecting a car, knowing the dangers if you do not follow the rules of the road, or the dangers when you exceed the limits of its abilities.

Wisdom will lead you in knowing how to fear God while basking in his love. You will rest in him knowing that it is dangerous to be "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (Jonathan Edwards, sermon 1741) The punishment for sin is real and brings eternal separation from God. Do think that Christian who sin just get a pass... Jesus is your get out of Hell card, yeah I kept sinning but here, I was given this card to let me in anyway. No! We are to stop sinning! (1 John 3:9).

Young ladies, wisdom will tell you these things. If you do not yet understand it to be true, search for the truths in Scripture. Dive into it as searching for sunken treasure for it will bring you life and an end to problematic sins that refuse to go away. I pray that you do not have sins like this, yet knowing these truths will enable you to help not only yourself but also help those you have been lead astray by erroneous teachings . Wisdom is a treasure worth spending all you have for. It will yield great returns! Search God's Word and find knowledge and understanding so you live faithfully each day.

~Dad

No Answer, Proverbs 1:28

No Answer

Proverbs 1:28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer they will look for me but will not find me.

A Call from Ms. Wanna B. Wright

Hello, thanks for calling. How may I help you?

My name is Ms. Wanna B. Right, and I'm still lacking some understanding on how to live. I was wondering if you could be of assistance?

Oh, certainly. We are here help. It nice to hear you voice again Ms. Wright. What seems to me wrong today.

Well, often I come up against things as I go about my day, and I don't know what to do.

Have you been reading your Bible everyday?

Yes, but it just doesn't seem to help.

Do you spend time thinking about them, praying about what you read?

Not very often. My schedule is so busy and all. I never seem to have the time to do that. I usually just read it.

Do you seek out wise counsel from the age-ed? Holy saints can be a great resource. Befriend them, and they will help you find God's answer.

You know, you're right. I need to seek help in better places. Thanks for your help. Good Bye.

You're welcome. Anytime, You call, and I will answer. We're here to help you.

A Call from Ms. Fool N. All

(phone ringing and ringing)

I don't know why they don't answer. That's why I don't ever call. They never pick up. They probably have caller ID and when they see it's me, They don't answer.

(beep)

Leave a message after the beep, leave a message after the beep... that's pointless. I'll never get called back, so I'm not leaving any message. This hotline is worthless. I should never have listened to that old man. I called this place once. They just wanted me to stop all the fun stuff  and go read and memorize stupid stuff and stop hanging out with my friends. That was so yesterday... I'll just go back to my friends. We've done so much together. They wouldn't lead me wrong.

(click)

...... I knew I should never had listen to my friends. They are only in it until times get rough. Then they leave me all alone. And now when I call that hotline they don't answer, and now that the old guy's dead, no one wants to help. I'm doomed.

A & K... where do you go for advice in life? Choose wisely and follow through with Godly advice from those holy around you. They may seem old fashion and out of touch, but I have found that the times they lived through weren't my different than mine. Times change but motivations remain the same. Listen up before its too late. Many of my wise, holy contacts have died. I wish I had learned more from them but now its too late. Seek wisdom, daughters. She is calling you.

~Dad

Riches or Righteouness, Proverbs 28:6

Riches or Righteousness

Proverbs 28:6 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse.

What is it about riches that make it so difficult to remain faithful to God? Jesus warned about it: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25). There are also warnings about the poor, in fact Agur asked God to give him neither poverty nor riches, Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God (Proverbs 30:9).

K and A, It certainly is not the amount of money you possess that determines your standing with God. Rather, it is the way you live that matters. Although riches, no matter how small, do change people as they begin to put trust in their own abilities. Yet, Solomon was trying to say that righteousness is what counts. Do not wear yourself out to get rich and miss the way. Riches are not worth loosing your soul! Work hard and live right and God will see that your needs are provided for and will see that you are fairly compensated for what you do. Choose righteousness over riches.

~Dad

Dying Fire, Proverbs 26:20

Dying Fire

Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

There are ample situations which one can find for getting caught up in heated discussions. I see it everyday at work. Usually complaints about how the administration or bosses just do not understand the worker's plight. They are certainly inept, never do anything, and we could obviously do a better job than what they are!

How do we respond to those times when others around us complain and moan about others. Do we add wood to the fire and help in the bashing of a person who is not even there to defend themselves? Or, do we try removing sources of fuel by lifting the other person up.

Daughters, it is obviously dangerous to actually removing pieces of wood from a fire. Those logs are quite hot and you can end up getting burnt! So what is one to do? The least you can do is keep your own mouth shut. Where there are many words, sin is not absent (Prov10:19). But you can also help build others up, and in doing so you will snag the end of a burning comment, pull it out, and create a dying fire. Never help in kindling strife (vs 21). It will only add to the destruction of others and will cause the fire to get hotter to come back and burn you. God wants you to shine, but not because you were set on fire by hell itself (James 3:6). Use your tongue to build other up so the fires of other will die down.

~Dad

Be Humble, Proverbs 25:6

Be Humble

Proverbs 25:6 Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men.

It is easy to be proud. Pride is like sin, I am at its center. Man wanted to be like God and Satan deceived them (technically in 1 Timothy it say it was Eve who was deceived not Adam, 2:14) They decided to step up and sit next to God and rule their own lives. They knew how it was to be done, things would be much better if they would control their own destiny. Oh, how wrong they were!

Proverbs is full of admonitions telling us to flee pride and to live humbly. In this scenario a man seeks to be one of the important people. He wanted to cozy up to the boss, get in with the top dogs, he was going to prove how great he was. The next verse tells of the downfall of this mindset... if you try to exalt yourself you are in danger of being humiliated before everyone. It would be better and a more lasting recognition if you allow the leader to lift you up and present you before everyone as special.

K and A, it is totally fine to strive for leadership. Godly leaders in our world are rare and sorely needed. I believe each of you have qualities that will make you good leaders. I do not know to whom God is calling you, but if you remain faithful to him and his Word, he will guide you and you will lead others. Paul says that setting your heart on being a leader is a noble venture, (1 Timothy 3:1) worthy of the effort. So, be humble, learn and meditate on God's Word, and live in faith, love, and holiness with propriety (2:15), then others will recognize your abilities and place you among the great!

~Dad

Bless Your Enemy, Proverbs 24:17 & 18

Bless Your Enemy

Proverbs 24:17 & 18 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.

How can you love an enemy? Isn't the very essence of an enemy someone who is against you, someone who desires your demise? This person hates you and wishes you ill. It is natural to despise them. When they attack, fighting back is normal. If we do not stand up for ourselves who will?!

But this is contrary to the way of Christ. Christ says that we must love our enemy, to do good to those that hate us (Luke 6:27). That may be true, but how far must we take this loving? Sure, we shouldn't lash out, but wouldn't it be okay to take pleasure in what God is doing. He's the one who said it for him to avenge (Deut 32:35), so he is the one who is punishing them. I'm just agreeing with him.

K and A, when God is punishing others, he is doing it to draw them back to himself. He does not do it out of spite or with any evil motives. He desires all to come to him and be made right and pure (1 Tim 2:4). Therefore daughters, When your enemy trips and falls, do not rejoice and say... you got what you deserve. Instead, lift them up. God may be trying to use you to reach their souls and bring them home. After all, you would be in the same condition, if God had not sent someone to you. Desire the best for others, especially your enemy.

~Dad

New Beginnings Genesis 8:15 & 16

New Beginnings

Genesis 8:15 & 16 Then God said to Noah, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives."

The last time I wrote to you daughters was at the end of the school year. You, Anna, had not taken your cross-cultural trip to Guatemala and you, Kellie, had not taken the big step down the isle into marriage. Life was soooo different...

For Noah and his family life started anew. For over a year, Noah and his family lived on the ark taking care of God's creation that he had brought to them. It must have been an arduous task, an unbelievable adventure that will never be repeated. they had complete reliance on God and their faith in his provision and protect was proven true. A new life was beginning and continued faith would carry them through.

Young ladies, although you two walk vastly different paths in life, one in her junior year of college and the other as a married young lady, I pray that you have the same goal in mind; faithfully trusting God for his provision and protection. He will see you through the new adventures you encounter as you maintain faith in him. He is more than able to supply you needs. In fact he gives out of his glorious riches (Phil 4:19). He has much more than we can fathom and will bless you abundantly as  you remain steadfast to him. He also will protect you. You know the verse... God will not give you more than you can bear... although this is not a quote and most often it is used for pressures of life and I think that is a fair extension of God grace, this verse, found in 1 Corinthians 10:1, deals with temptations. Anna just because you go to a Christian college and Kellie just because you are married, do not be foolish. Satan and temptation is real. In fact, unless you constantly and continuously put yourselves under the control of the Holy Spirit, you carnal, or fleshly, or even natural desires can and will rule in your life and you will fall to temptation. But, look for the way our for God has promised to not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear and will provide the way out and you will find it if you look for it!

If we return to the story of Noah for a moment we see that this pristine land didn't even last one generation. Ham looked upon his fathers nakedness as his father lay drunk and his descendants were cursed forever! Sin is real but it is overcome when we confess our sin and then yield our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit. Memorize and meditate on Romans 6:1-14. Then read Romans 7. After this read and meditate on Romans 8:1-14.

Daughters, Victory over the self and worldly pleasures are possible when you yield not to temptation but to the Spirit! God will carry you through as you each begin your new walk in life.

Yield Not to Temptation Hymn