Wednesday Reflection, May 13, 2020

The Heart of the Matter

Brothers and sisters, I greet you well!
I once read a book in which there was a young girl named Abra who felt as if she was alone in the world and unloved and whilst there were persons who showed her kindness young Abra thought that they were only pitying her. In the said book there was a young man who was Abra’s friend. He being older, wiser and more mature was able to recognize her inner turmoil and he warned her continuously to guard her heart because everything she did came from there.

The same way I read that particular book, Abra’s friend read the advice he gave her in a book as well. What book did he read? He read the Bible. To be specific , he read Proverbs 4:23.

Very often we hear talks about the heart. We hear talks of the importance of the heart’s function is to the but really do we hear talk or give heed to the heart’s function to the soul.

In today’s watchword 1 Kings 8:39B, wise King Solomon in his rather eloquent prayer to the Lord said, “only you know what is in every human heart.” You see friends, God in His omniscience sees and knows our hearts. All of our hearts. God is not only conscious or aware of our wants and burdens but also He is mindful of our desires and intent. He knows when we are truly repentant or being presumptuous because all of it Springs from our hearts.

Whatever we host, entertain, or hold in our hearts will automatically be projected. It is important for us as believers to constantly evaluate ourselves and ensure that we are in good standing. Housekeeping is an important task, not just for the physical but also the spiritual.

There are a number of scriptures that speak to the preparation and treatment of our hearts. One cannot be too careful, the Christian must be vigilant, knowing what and who he entertains for it is easy for the heart to become consumed with all the things that are unhealthy and not prescribed by the word of God. May our hearts ever be set on Christ. May our hearts reflect the heart of Christ and may we grow in wisdom and strength praying fervent prayers that daily the Lord will create within us a new heart.

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loved us through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Until next week, let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Tuesday Reflection – May 12, 2020 Godly Wisdom

In 2018 I put a sticky note on my office wall. (It’s still there). It contained just one word. Looking at it you would probably think it was the topic of a sermon or a book or something. It was for me however, a theme of prayer for that year and onwards. My prayer was for wisdom as I navigated the daily routines of family, ministry and community. It was an acknowledgement that on my own I could not do it, that by myself I was susceptible to making mistakes but with God’s guidance I would be on the right path. It was not just any wisdom I wanted but specifically ‘godly wisdom’. In today’s Watchword Solomon asks God to grant him godly wisdom in order to be a ruler that pleased God. The Lord said to Solomon, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3: 5, 9. 

As a young king Solomon followed the instructions given to him by his father. He began to make peace with the nations around him. He kept the people grounded in their worship of the one true God and he ensured that he himself was a visible example to the people as he made sacrifices before God. In a vision God told him to ask for anything he desired. Ps 37: 4 tells us that God is able to grant the desires of our hearts. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. There are so many things Solomon could have asked for. Wealth and fame are just two that immediately come to mind. He had the example of his father David to live up to but rather than ask to be a great king like his father, he recognized with humility his insecurities, his lack of knowledge and his inexperience as a leader. Solomon sought what he needed to fulfill the task of leading God’s people, godly wisdom. He knew that by himself he was inadequate. He knew that his own knowledge, wisdom and understanding was limited. He knew that those around him had ulterior motives so he couldn’t depend on their counsel alone. He knew that he would only be able to make it with God’s guidance. He knew he needed godly wisdom.  The Bible teaches us that wisdom begins with fearing or reverencing God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1: 7. To be truly wise is to know the source of all wisdom and to lean on that source for our personal wisdom, especially when we are faced with important or life changing decisions. Such wisdom honors God and not self. James the brother of our Lord instructs us: If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to you. God does not want us to look foolish or to make foolish decisions sincesuch decisions can have severe and lasting impact upon us. We ought therefore to pray constantly for godly wisdom to navigate the curbs and turns of life. Worldly wisdom is very common. Its main focus is for self-aggrandizement and not godliness. There are many who are quick to tell us how, when and where based on their experiences. According to James, (3: 15) the wisdom of this world is earthly, sensual and demonic. It serves us in the earthly realm and may even make us successful according to world standards. What we truly need however is wisdom from above. Such wisdom ‘is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3: 17). This is godly wisdom. It is sincere, it places what is godly far above what is earthly. Godly wisdom changes our focus from finding importance and great value in the things of this world to placing our highest and utmost importance in the things that are of God. This results from placing God on the throne of our lives. Solomon could have asked for anything. He could be remembered today as a king as great as, or even greater than his father David. He however chose Godly wisdom and today we honor his memory as the wisest man to ever live. 
Dear friends, join me in praying for godly wisdom so that our words and actions may constantly reflect the will of our Lord and savior. Amen.    
Bevon White