In Whom Can I Rely?
Good Morning Friends,
Well today is Black Friday and then there is Shop Small Store Saturday and then the First Sunday in Advent, then Monday is Cyber Monday for shopping on line and Tuesday is Giving Tuesday*. It seems like there is a lot of busyness to the ramp up for the gift giving season. Just when I was recovering from the election excitement the unending commercials for things begin. And well I really think it is a bit much to be out to control our every moment. For me this is the absolutely worst time of the year to buy anything. But it can be a good time of year to give. There are a lot of store managers who have invested a lot of time to create an atmosphere to prompt sales today. Getting spiritual insight in this noise is certainly a worthwhile goal, but so few actually will achieve it this season. The problem is that too few have seen the light. Too few realize that wisdom does not come one day a year when our behavior is nudged to change. It is all the other days on the journey of faith that make the difference. Too few realize that it is not the gifts we receive but the ones we give that are the most important. Too few are worthy of trust. Too few have chosen to give their gifts to the King. It all begs the question about dependence and confidence and wisdom. In Whom Can I Rely?
Scripture: If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
James 1:5 (NRSV)
My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding; if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures– then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly, guarding the paths of justice and preserving the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; prudence will watch over you; and understanding will guard you.
Proverbs 2:1-11 (NRSV)
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men* from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.
Matthew 2:1-2 (NRSV)
Message: One has to know God to benefit from His wisdom. One has to plan well in advance in order to show up when the time is right. So too we are to begin a journey to draw near to Jesus. And all the noise and challenges should not get in the way of it. First we are to acknowledge that Jesus is really here and now. Then we are to do the known will of God until we discover the specifics. We are to learn from the basics and be faithful in the ordinary in preparation for the extraordinary. We like the wise men are to realize that the search for wisdom is really a search for God. And in the search for wisdom, we need to seek to look through the eyes of Jesus to see what people really need. So friends, in all the busyness let Jesus live in you and never assume that the way it is now is the way it must always be. Act on the good impulses inside that nudge you and reach out, offer a hand and remember that God loves you and is eager to give you an opportunity to honor Him throughout the year.
Pray we seek wisdom in the right places with faith and reason. Pray we search and find Holy Spirit wisdom. Pray that when we are nudged by the Holy Spirit we respond for the common good. Pray we understand the source of wisdom in His Word and in His people. Pray we gain success from wisdom that leads to significance. Pray that wisdom protect us and encourages us to love. Pray we develop our gifts to help others to develop their gifts to give to the King. Pray we rely on God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
* Charitable donations can be made to One by One Leadership Foundation, Inc. Learn more about it by going to our website: 1by1leadershipfoundation.org and give online. Or if you are so led you can give to our mission of evoking change, empowering youth and engaging communities by mailing a check to:
One by One Leadership Foundation
P.O. Box 5393
Immokalee, Florida 34143
A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the State of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. Our registration number is CH9224.
Daily Devotionals 