Seemingly Sweet, Deceptively Bitter

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

turn your ear to my words of insight,

that you may maintain discretion

and your lips may preserve knowledge.

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

but in the end she is bitter as gall,

sharp as a double-edged sword."

Proverbs 5:1-4

Solomon is warning his sons of the dangers of adultery, the allure of the other woman, the danger in straying.  While his caution is timely and powerful, there is more that I can glean from his godly advice.  In my own life, there is much that lures my flesh away from the path that leads to life.  Therefore, I am wise to heed this important advice.

Keep Discretion.  It's easy to go with the flow in order to keep the peace.  The world all around me is headed in the wrong direction and it is tempting for me to join in, to adopt politically correct beliefs, to compromise under the guise of "love."  To do so, however, does nothing to win the soul of the lost.  Instead, I end up falling victim to the lies and lose my saltiness (Matthew 5:13-16).

Therefore, it is important that I guard the godly knowledge I have attained, constantly honing my understanding of the Gospel and applying the truth of God's Word to every belief and worldview I encounter.  Instead of just swallowing messages I hear, I must chew them up, searching for the flavor I have come to recognize as the truth.  If I can't taste it, if it doesn't line up with Scripture, if it makes sense to my mind but raises red flags in my spirit, I would be wise to turn away and reject such messages.  It's time I stick to what is right.  

I am wise to heed the advice of Solomon to keep discretion in all my ways.

Cultivate Appreciation.  I live in a world where I am encouraged to strive for more, to look for ways to conserve time so I can benefit later, to scrimp today so I can splurge tomorrow.  While this may seem wise on the surface, the result tends to be a spirit of discontent.  When I'm always wanting more, focused on saving now for later, scurrying around so I can have some extra time at the end of the day, I fail to appreciate what I do have.  In order to have more later, I am not present now.  I'm so future-focused that I miss opportunities to connect with those I come into contact with as I'm rushing around, neglecting what I have in this very moment while I'm reaching further, higher and beyond.  

Therefore, it is important that I cultivate an appreciation for what God has given me, to pay attention to what is happening in the here and now.  In the words of Jim Elliot, "Wherever you are, be all there!"  It's easy to be so distracted by tomorrow that I miss out on today.  Whatever God has blessed me with in this moment, then, I can choose to treasure it.  The idea that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence tends to deceive me into thinking my own yard has no value.  It's time to be grateful for what is in my midst.

I am wise to heed the advice of Solomon and cultivate an appreciation for what I've been given (Proverbs 5:15).

Avoid Temptation.  As I go on my daily walk, there is a corner where my dogs catch a scent that captures their attention.  Each time we reach this part of our route, they use every tactic they know to pull us over to that enticing spot so they can add their scent to the collection.  Since we know this is such a temptation for them, we do what we can to avoid that place, making a wide berth around the tempting spot and picking up the pace as we go around that corner.  It's the same with me.   There are some areas in my life that are strongly alluring to me, that trip me up every time, that are too strong of an attraction for me to resist.

Therefore, it is important that I avoid temptation, making it as easy as possible to stay true to Jesus and to stick to the race He has marked out for me to run (Hebrews 12:1).  Instead of testing my resolve by exposing myself to that which easily lures me away, I would be wise to stay away from what is hard for me to resist.  It could be sensual entertainment, ungodly company, or obsessive pastimes.  Whatever it is that draws me away from my First Love, it is important that I stay far away in order to minimize the temptations I often face.  It's time to actively work to keep my life pure (1 Peter 1:13-16).

I am wise to heed the advice of Solomon and avoid the temptation that will lure me away from God's best for me (Proverbs 5:7-8).

There is much wisdom found in God's Word.  If I am to be considered as wise, I must realize the things that are seemingly sweet in my life may turn out to be deceptively bitter.  Therefore, it's important that I heed the warnings of Solomon and maintain a discerning mindset, nurture a grateful spirit for what God has blessed me with, and to keep far away from that which seduces me away from the narrow path.  These are the words of wisdom to which I choose to pay attention.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to guard the knowledge He has given me, turning away from what doesn't line up with His Word.

How do I compromise what I know is the Truth in an effort to appease those with differing beliefs?

In what ways do I deny the Truth to those who are lost and in desperate need of Jesus?

Influence of the Heart

"My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you peace and prosperity."

Proverbs 3:1-2

Its easy to think its my mind that most influences me for God, that guides me to His ways.  But in reality, its the heart that matters most (Proverbs 4:23,Psalm 139:23).

Treasure.  If it's success, my focus will be on climbing up the ladder.  If it's financial security, my attentions will be directed toward making sound investment decisions.  If it's relational, I'll spend my time building close bonds.  If it's health, my heart will be inspired to do all I can to preserve my body.  Whatever it is that I deem as valuable will drive my life.  And along with this drive will come the expectation that the thing I'm holding up as my treasure will bring satisfaction, meaning and fulfillment.  Until success never comes, the stock market crashes, the love of my life leaves and cancer ravages my body.  Now what?  I think.  What is the purpose of my life?  Now that my treasure is gone, where do I go from here?

As Jesus said, ". . .where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)  The only secure investments of my passion and attention are the heavenly ones, so I would be wise to focus on the spiritual things of God, making it my goal to know Him more each day.  If I were to pray that He open the eyes of my heart, I would begin to see things more as He does, and find what is of eternal value that is worth pinning my devotion to (Ephesians 1:18).

I would be wise to pay attention to what I treasure, and learn to value heavenly things above all.

Desire.  "My heart is just not in it."  How many times in my life have I said this?  Too many times to count.  I do things out of obligation, but I'm not really into it.  I dot all the i's and cross all the t's but there is no joy in doing a good job.  I spend my time crossing things off my to-do-list, but I wonder what I've really accomplished.

I have come to this conclusion:  if my heart is in it, I'm all in.  If I'm somehow disconnected, it won't last.  It reminds me of the years I devoted to homeschooling.  Many people who were considering taking the plunge asked me for advice and I always said the same thing, "Make sure you have a calling to homeschool.  If you don't, when the going gets rough, and it will get rough, you will not have the commitment to see it through."  In other words, if your heart is not in it, it will not last.

The same is true with anything.  I have to ask myself, what is it that I want out of this?  Is it all about quenching some personal, fleshly thirst, or is it from God?  Is this what I want, or is it what God wants?  Does this line up with God's best for me, or am I settling for something less?

I would be wise to pay attention to my desires, and let God change my aspirations to line up with His.

Yield.  For years I agreed with the Gospel, but I didn't surrender control of my life to Jesus.  I knew that I was saved but I failed to trust Jesus as Lord.  I wanted eternal life but didn't want to give up control.  It took many years before I yielded to Jesus, letting Him have His way in my life.  Up until then I was what is called a "carnal Christian," looking just like the rest of the world in the way I live my life and the values that I hold yet identifying myself as a believer of Jesus.  

It's in the heart that I either resist God's attempts at transforming me from the inside out, or I cooperate (Romans 12:2).  I can learn all I want about God, but until I give my heart to Him, trusting Him wholeheartedly, it will never go deeper than the superficial (Proverbs 3:5-6).   If I'm always striving for what I want and never give up and let Him lead me toward what He wants, I'll never find contentment and peace (Psalm 46:10).  It's in the heart that I either yield to Him or resist Him.

I would be wise to let God have His way in my life, yielding my heart to Him.

I spend a lot of time focusing on knowledge and wisdom, but it is in the heart where my faith is really determined. Therefore, it is important that I cultivate a heart that is dedicated to God, treasuring the heavenly, desiring the godly, and yielding to Him.  When I do, I will realize the influence of the heart as my life song sings for the glory of God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to yield to His loving hand of discipline and guidance.

When do I resist Him?

How do I neglect my heart, thinking it is what I know that most influences the direction of my life?

   

Fountain of Youth

"My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart,

for they will prolong your life many years

and bring you peace and prosperity."

Proverbs 3:1-2

As a culture, Americans are obsessed with youth and how to ward off the inevitable effects of aging.  We try creams, treatments and healthy regimens, but does it really matter?  Is the condition of our skin of earth-shattering importance?  

Another concern is our warped value system.  We place so much emphasis on wealth and status, sending the message that the state of our bank account will determine future survival.  But does money have the power to give us contentment? Or long life?  Or are we barking up the wrong proverbial tree?

There are many areas which seem so important to us.  We invest our time and effort in them, believing their importance is vital.  Yet often we neglect a more lasting source of goodness.  Let's dig in to Proverbs 3 to find the answers we need in today's misleading and deceptive world.

Good Reputation.  I tend to be a people pleaser.  I didn't think this was a problem for me until recently when God moved it onto my radar, as He tends to do (Psalm 139:24).  Now I'm hyper-aware of how much I hunger for affirmation from man, assurance of my worth from others, that little pat on the back that tells me I'm important and necessary.   It turns out I can enjoy a good reputation among man, but I'm going about it the wrong way.

Instead of trying to gain the favor of man through my efforts, God says I'll find this benefit if only I cling to love and faithfulness.  I can make it a priority to treat others with mercy and kindness while purposefully turning away from my natural inclination to focus on my own needs and wants, resisting the drift toward cold-heartedness that comes from living in this callous and uncaring world (Proverbs 3:3-4).  God's love and grace is already flowing in my veins through faith in Christ.  It is my duty, then, to let if pour out to others.  It's easy to hog it all up for myself, but His love and grace is meant for all.  When I let go of my stingy, selfish tendencies, God's mercy and kindness will gush forth like an internal spring (John 7:37-39, Psalm 23:6).

Making mercy and kindness my hallmark will result in a good reputation among man and favor from God.

Good Health.  There is an endless array of supplements claiming to contain the secret to longevity and wellness.  I can spend time and money on special juices and cleansing treatments, fasting weekly in order to rid my body of harmful toxins.  Dutifully, I put in my time in the gym, doing the required amount of exercise in order to ward off deterioration of many kinds.

There is a better way.  While there are many ways to seek good health, only one comes from my Maker.  If I want to know how to find healthiness, it makes sense to seek out the advice that comes from the One who carefully put me together (Psalm 139:13). So what does God, my Creator, say is the secret to health and good nourishment?  Trusting Him with all my heart.  Resisting the urge to rely on what makes sense to me, or to think I must understand it in order to believe it, or to put my own insight above my confidence in God as my only hope. To recognize His sovereignty.  Allowing God to choose what's best for me.  To worship Him in the way I live my life.  To shun evil, staying away from it in every form.  These are the secrets to good health (Proverbs 3:5-8).

The road to good health is found in my reverence of and faith in God, not in all the things I think I'm so smart to do for my own benefit.

Good Provision.  I always want more.  My eyes are often focused on the future; things will be better when I have ___________.  When my bank account is up to this level, life will be better.  When I've acquired this level of income, things will be easier.  When I pay off this debt, then I can give more.  Then I reach that goal and things aren't as good as I thought.  Instead, I'm focused on reaching the next level.

I will never find contentment in what God is currently providing until I honor God with my money (Proverbs 3:9-10).  Making it my priority to worship God by giving Him the best and first of all I have will result in a new heart attitude.  Suddenly, what I have will be more than enough as I find myself appreciating all the ways He has blessed me materially.  Instead of wanting more, I'll discover the wealth that is already mine.  While this is not some kind of formula where I give to God and I can expect Him to give even more back to me, I can trust Him to spoil me with His unlimited resources when I honor Him with my finances.  There is no greater indicator as to my true faith in God as my Provider than in how willing I am to tithe and give offerings.

I will find contentment when I honor God with my money as He opens my eyes to His generous nature.

There are many ways to go after what the culture says is important and will bring happiness.  If I want true joy, however, I need look no further than Jesus.  As I learn to walk with Him He teaches me to find wisdom in Scripture.  There I find that a good reputation comes when I honor the love and kindness He lavishes upon me by letting it flow out to others, that good health results in my willingness to trust in God alone, and that I will find contentment in the material blessings He gives me when I worship God through tithes and offerings.  God's Word is never wrong.  If I want to find the secrets that far surpass the fountain of youth, I need look no further than the wisdom of Scripture.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can pay attention to what God is teaching me through His Word.

When do I spend more time researching cures than I do in taking God's advice to heart?

How am I lacking in faith as evidenced by how little money I give back to Him?     

Benefits of Wisdom

"For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge
and understanding."

Proverbs 2:6 

I am naturally self-centered.  I see the world from my point of view.  I experience circumstances with special sensitivity to how they will affect me.  Therefore, it's not surprising that I think wisdom is for understanding and knowing what I am to do, how I am to live, and how I am to respond to circumstances and people. 

In reality, while I am wise to seek God's guidance in how to live, there is so much more to wisdom than this.

Protection.  It seems there is no justice in this cold, dark world.  The weak are exploited, the vulnerable taken advantage of, the defenseless abused.  Foolish judgments are made every day and it appears that our age is marked by dishonesty and wrong living.  What used to be widely accepted as the right thing to do now is considered archaic and outdated, even judgmental or critical.

God's wisdom is for my protection.  It guards justice, shielding it from topsy-turvy thinking of this world, keeping me from being corrupted by selfish gain, or backwards beliefs, or popular mindsets.  Wisdom has a way of watching over those who seek her so that justice will be served and integrity will be preserved.  Despite the best efforts of my enemy to throw a wrench in the wheels of justice, wisdom guards it from grinding to a complete stop.

Wisdom protects me from injustice (Proverbs 2:7-8).

Pleasant.  I live in a world that venerates the celebrity way of life, that seems to celebrate the foolish and is fascinated by the shameful.  In such a place, wisdom doesn't fit and is considered as ugly and a bitter pill to swallow.  To seek godly insight and understanding almost seems shameful and unnecessary in such a world.

In reality, the wisdom that comes from revering God is like a beautiful adornment that enhances life, giving it meaning and adding a lovely quality.  In the same way colorful flowers bring beauty to an otherwise dull landscape, wisdom is considered as a delightful and charming addition to my life.

Wisdom is a pleasant adornment in a shamefully foolish world (v9-10).

Preserved.  It's easy to get sucked away, lured into crazy and reckless schemes that somehow make sense to me at the time.  If the right people speak the right words at the right time, I could believe up is down and down is up.  I'm not infallible, despite how highly I think of my own ability to discern.

Despite my enemy's best effort to entice me away from the path of life, the wisdom of God gives me discretion and understanding, preserving my way in His Kingdom.  Even though the blood of Jesus secures me in His clutches, I can turn away from what I know is God's best for me and fall back into destructive patterns and unhealthy methods of coping.  My place in the promised land is secure thanks to what Jesus has done and despite the best efforts of my enemy to lure me away, wisdom serves as a preservative, keeping me from turning into something I'm not meant to be.

Wisdom points me to the security of Christ as I negotiate through this polluted world (v 11-12).

There is more to wisdom than simply giving me insight into how to live.  It also protects me from injustice, is a pleasant addition to an ugly world, and preserves my way on the path of life.  These are some of the benefits of wisdom. 

As I begin this day I pray that I will seek wisdom as a beautiful adornment to my day.

How do I only seek wisdom for my next step to take but fail to use it to guard my way?

When am I afraid of losing my way, forgetting that God will give me wisdom to preserve my path?

Finding Wisdom

"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

for doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to those who are simple,

knowledge and discretion to the young--

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance--

for understanding proverbs and parables,

the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 1:1-7

I wonder if there is a magic formula:  If I do a certain thing or live a specific way, it will be mind.  I study tomes of godly instruction, looking for it.  I'm told it comes with age and experience.  But if I really want to find wisdom, I need look no further than God.

Treasure Commands.  I think I sometimes get a little mixed up.  Knowing I am saved by grace and realizing I'm set free from following the commands of God in order to save myself, I get the idea that His law is not important (Romans 7:4, Galatians 5:1).  That I can throw His statutes out the window.  That there is no longer any need for paying attention to His regulations.

Then I stumble upon 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and find that all of God's Word is from His mouth and "is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  So I learn to take His law seriously, realizing these commands are a window into the heart of God, giving me insight into what is important to Him.  When I cherish all of scripture, including His law, I will find wisdom from God.  While it does not save me, God's law is included in the Bible for a reason, and therefore is meant to be appreciated.

I will find wisdom when I treasure God's commands.

Attentive Ear and Inclined Heart.  I tend to reach a point when I've had enough.  It's not that I think I know it all, but rather that I've learned so many new things I wonder if there could be anything more.  My world is often so rocked by fresh insight into God's ways that I think I can't possibly take any more in, that there is no more room for growth, that I need a respite from being stretched and pushed.  

But it seems that God is never at rest when it comes to my sanctification (Philippians 1:6).  He is always at work showing me new insight into His heart, a higher perspective when it comes to suffering, a alternative viewpoint of this world and His kingdom.  Since He is always at work, it makes sense that I should stay hungry for more.  If I reach a point of satiation, when I push myself away from His bountiful table, I am shutting myself off from receiving more insight into His kingdom.  

Therefore, it is important that I keep my ear trained on hearing more of His lessons and my heart open to receiving what He has for me.  Perhaps this is why Jesus often said, "Whoever has ears, let them hear (Mark 4:9, Matthew 11:15)."  Only those who were hungry for more of what He had to offer would be able to catch the lesson He was teaching.  And the same is true for me today.

I will find wisdom when I keep my ear attentive to His messages and my heart inclined toward receiving what He has for me.

Seeking.  Sometimes I'm only looking for what will help me get ahead.  Or I pick and choose what I really want to know. Or I have my radar up for what will help me in my current dilemma. If there is wisdom regarding a subject that doesn't interest me or that I judge as unimportant at this time of my life, I easily toss it aside as insignificant.

Instead, I would be better off adopting the attitude of a hunter, constantly seeking for godly insight, searching for it like a treasure hunter looks for hidden fortunes even if it doesn't seem to apply to me.  When a nugget of wisdom is found, I can hold onto it even if it makes no sense to me at this time, trusting that God will use it for my good and His glory.  In time I will see it's importance and it may help me realize that everything isn't about me.  Sometimes its good to take myself out of the picture altogether and simply be content to learn more about God's incredible character.

I will find wisdom when I seek for God's insight and understanding apart from my own life application.

Education is big in today's culture and I often lump wisdom in with knowledge that can be acquired.  But if I truly want godly insight and understanding to be mine, I must treasure God's commands, cultivate an attentive ear and inclined heart, and seek His wisdom as if it were the greatest treasure.  When I practice these ways, I will find wisdom that comes from God.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to take His commands as important, even if it doesn't seem to apply to me.

When do I toss parts of God's Word aside because I can't relate to it?

How am I careless with scripture I don't see as relevant?

True Security

"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,

and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

but whoever listens to me will live in safety

and be at ease, without fear of harm."

Proverbs 1:32-33

We live in a tumultuous time.  Terrorism threatens, "progressive" agendas violate traditional values, and foolishness is disguised as wisdom.  How can we be safe and secure in such a time as this?  How can we keep from being swept away?  

It is possible.

Turn Toward.  Life is a journey.  I've heard it often, so frequently in fact that it's easy to dismiss it as a meaningless cliche.  But life really is a journey, a series of steps, a trip down a rocky path that often becomes difficult to negotiate and hard to navigate (Matthew 7:13-14).  I easily get off track, wandering away from the way He marked out for me to walk, enticed by worldly temptations, fleshly desires and the Devil himself.  

Since it's so easy to turn away from God and His plan for me, it's important that I constantly take the time to take stock, to inventory my heart.  Of course, this is not a job I can do using my own faulty discernment.  Instead, I find it vital to sit down in the peace of my Father's presence and ask Him to show me where I'm off, how my thinking is wrong, where I've strayed (Psalm 139:23-24).  Once He shows me, and He has never failed to do so and can always be counted on to answer this prayer, I can turn back toward Him and His loving Hand of correction.  He will direct me toward the way everlasting, the pure and lovely thoughts, and the healthier coping mechanism.  

To find true security in such a volatile world I will need to make it a practice to turn toward God.

Passion.  My relationship with Jesus can easily become a religion; a series of obligations I must fulfill, a set of rules I must follow, a regimen I'm expected to adhere to.  But Jesus died for more than this.  His love for me is so intense that it drove Him to undergo great agony for my sake.  In order that I might live and taste the life He meant for me to live when He first breathed life into my inert form, Jesus gave His own.  Even though He never sinned, is pure as could be, He took my sin upon Himself, suffering the agony of bearing the punishment meant for me (2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is how strongly and passionately He loves me.

I can love like this as well.  Not in my own strength, but because God's brand of love flows through me by faith in Jesus.  If I allow God to have His way, He will develop in me a similar passion for Him which will overflow with a compassion for others.  Instead of just learning His ways, then, I'll be driven by love to put it in action, to let Him move my hands and feet in ways that demonstrate His great love.  The hungry will be fed, the broken given hope, the imprisoned set free.  

To find true security in such a volatile world I can let God's great love for me develop into a passion for Him and His image bearers.

Heed.  Either I'm too busy to hear or I'm too afraid to listen.  The first is an unintentional blocking of God's voice, the second a deliberate effort to ignore Him.  

When my days are filled with errands to run, activities to participate in, tasks to perform, I rarely sense His leading or notice His hand at work around me.  Instead, I'm too intent on sticking to my schedule.

I'm not always busy, though, and it would seem those quiet moments would be the ideal atmosphere for hearing God's voice.  Unfortunately, I all too often am plagued by fear, assuming the message He has for me will hurt me, or that He'll expect me to do what I don't want to do, or that I just won't be able to handle His rebuke.  So I pretend I don't hear Him, or do what I can to divert my attention away from Him.  How I must hurt Him in my self-preserving efforts.  As my loving Father He has my best interest at heart and knows exactly what is best for me.  I can trust Him with my life and I have no reason to fear.  Fear is a choice I make that hampers intimacy with my Papa.

To find true security in such a volatile world I must learn to heed God's gentle promptings and expert lead.

It's easy to feel hopeless, wondering if it's even possible to live a life of integrity when the world seems to be falling down around me.  How can I stand firm and keep from being sucked into living in fear, adopting popular worldviews, or being shaped by foolish rhetoric?  I can purposefully allow God to search my heart for what doesn't belong and responsively turn toward His best, allow God's love to develop in me a passion for Him and people, and to heed His lead.  When I do, I will find true security despite the volatile nature of the world.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to listen to what He is saying to me.

When am I afraid to hear what He wants to say to me?

How do I intentionally keep myself busy so I won't have to deal with His correction or His conviction?

     

Sober Warning

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction

and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

They are a garland to grace your head

and a chain to adorn your neck.

My son, if sinful men entice you,

do not give in to them."

Proverbs 1:8-10

We hear many warnings throughout our lives:  Separate darks and lights when washing clothes.  Look both ways before you cross the road.  Wear sunscreen.  

Some advice is vital to life and limb, others are simply meant to preserve the appearance of belongings.  There are some warnings, however, with eternal implications: I'd better heed such counsel.

Stand Firm.  There is much to entice me away from the truth of the Gospel.  Sometimes it's my own flesh that lures me into thinking I need to earn my salvation or that I'm not good enough to come to God.  Other times it's the world that drops little bombs of poison into my consciousness, corrupting the Truth I've been taught.  Then there's my enemy who is constantly at work undermining the grace by which I'm firmly planted in God's family.

To stand firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I must not give in to the strong pull of these lies that will sweep me away from the narrow path that leads to life (1 Corinthians 15:58, Colossians 1:21-23).  Instead of buying in to what my flesh, the world and Satan are offering me, I can resist the lies and counter with what I know is true, purposefully reciting the Gospel to myself and using the strength of the Holy Spirit to hang on tight to it's foundation.

I am made righteous by the blood of Jesus, He is always at work continuing the transformation that He started at my birth, and I am secure in my place as a well-loved child by faith in Jesus.  Since God is for me, none of the nonsense I so easily fall prey to has any power against me.  May I always remember that when the night comes.

I am wise to heed the warning to stand firm in a world filled with alternative messages and puzzling crossroads.

Use Discernment.  I've always heard, "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is."  I remember receiving a message from a young prophet which may have fit this adage.  She told me I would have great wealth, adding with a wink that it takes money to do business in this world and operate a successful ministry.  I wanted to believe her words, secretly desiring to be rich, justifying my own desires with the thought that I'd be able to help so many people.

Then I turned toward the truth.  I remembered that God doesn't need money and riches are one of the most dangerous stumbling blocks for those who follow Christ (Matthew 19:23-24).  I can be lured away by the false promises of worldly success and sucked into a superficial world of catering to my fleshly desires.  God doesn't need money and He is not hampered by my weaknesses, including a lack of resources.  He is powerful enough to accomplish His work despite my anemic bank account.  My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills making me one rich princess (Psalm 50:10)!

I am wise to heed the warning to use discernment when listening to messages that sound good to my itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Keep Eyes Forward.  When I was preparing for bodybuilding competitions, I went through grueling training.  As I got closer to the competitions I'd work out twice a day, getting up well before dawn to get in a good hour of running before hitting the weights, only to return again that afternoon for another session of cardio and some lifting.  In order to persevere through such a training regimen, I would often tell myself that my competitors were probably sleeping while I was pounding the pavement, or I'd remind myself of the benefits of such sacrifices, or I'd visualize myself on stage with muscles popping and skin glowing.  I had to keep my focus on the purpose for all the pain and agony in order to have the motivation to carry on.

It's not so different when walking with Jesus.  This life could be thought of boot camp as I learn God's ways, practice His teachings and train myself in the regimen of faith.  Paul encouraged us to train as athletes, keeping our eyes on the prize as motivation to persevere.  While it would be easy to give up and just float along, we are called to run our race to win, striving hard toward the finish line (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  It is my desire, then, to press on no matter how many times I fall, keeping my eyes trained on Jesus and what He will give me for my faithfulness to Him (Philippians 3:12-14).

I am wise to heed the warning to keep my eyes forward, focused on my heavenly reward for running a good race.

I often hear so many cautions and so much advice that I'm tempted to tune out.  There are some warnings, however, with eternal implications.  I would be wise, then, to stand firm in my faith, to use discernment when listening to messages and to keep my eyes trained on the finish line of my life.  I will never be sorry that I paid attention to these warnings.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can filter out the superfluous and focus on the eternally significant.

When do I lose heart because my focus is on the problems threatening to bring me down?

How can I resolve to stand firm in the truth as I've been taught?