Don’t take counsel from just anybody!

As a follower of Jesus be very careful whom you take counsel or advise from. To get sound advice make sure they are coming from God’s side not mans!

Thomas Kempis wrote: “Take counsel with a wise and conscientious man......the more humble he is and the more subject to God, the wiser and the more at peace he will be in all things.

We need godly men and women in our lives that we can got to for counsel at anytime and about anything!

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 13:10 Through insolence comes nothing but strife, But wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Proverbs 15:31-33 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

So let us be wise in the Lord brothers and sisters, seek God and then men and women of God for counsel!

Tom

Whatever may come!

Slow down and think!

We as followers of Jesus must be very careful in all areas of our life to glorify God. So when we make decisions we need to slow down and think and make sure every decision is pleasing to God. 

Thomas Kempis wrote: “Do not yield to even impulse and suggestion but consider things carefully and patiently in the light of God’s will.” Do we do that on a consistent basis?

2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

Hebrews 12:25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven,

So brothers and sisters slow down and listen for God as He leads and speaks to His children i all areas of life!

Tom

Value in Gods Word.

World knowledge or God?

Thomas Kempis wrote “How many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge and too little care for serving God.” The world is all about obtaining much knowledge for selfish reasons like money and fame. That is not what God says we are to be about, we are to be about Him and serving Him. So where are you in this line of thinking?

God tells us where true knowledge begins:

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Soloman warned us about worldly knowledge:

Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Obedience and service to God are the keys to a prosperous life in our Lord:

2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

So think on this today and ask yourself...am I working hard for more knowledge and service to King Jesus or am I working hard to gain more knowledge to gain the world! Obviously you know what God wants!

Tom

Are you talking about God?

Is this one of your purpose today?

Thomas Kempis said “This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance virtue.”
Of course he was talking in regard to our walk with Jesus. So let us break this down with scripture. 

1. conquer self- Jesus himself said we are to deny self....so each day we must put self behind and the work of the Lord in front of us....Are we?  

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

2. become stronger each day-Are we growing in your walk and faith in the Lord each day? The key to this is not us but total dependency on God!  

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

3. to advance in virtue-first we need to understand what virtue is. Virtue is showing a high moral standard. So for the follower of Jesus that means living as much like Jesus as we possibly can! We are told to have virtue! 

2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

So again I ask...we these on your list today to pursue? They should be so let’s go after them for the Lord’s glory!

Tom