Fruit

Alive Day 3 Mindset

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Romans 8:5-9
Romans 6:12-19
Galatians 5:16-22
John 3:16-21
Psalm 146:5-8

Alive, Day 3

“For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.” (Romans 8:5-9)

If you read my Faces of Grace story, you’ll learn of my season of sin after the deaths of my father and father-in-law within months of each other. Looking back, “I’m free to do whatever I want” aptly describes my mindset. But was I really free? No.

It’s easy to think we’re in control of sin, but we’re not. In fact, we’re born as slaves to sin. God warned Cain, “[. . .] if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7) Romans 6:12 reiterates, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires.” So if I am obeying something, I’m not really free, right? Romans 6 further describes sin:

  •     the body ruled by sin (verse 6)
  •     enslaved to sin (verse 6)
  •     a person who has died is freed from sin (verse 7)
  •     sin will not rule over you (verse 14)
  •     you are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin leading to death (verse 16)
  •     slaves to impurity (verse 19)

That doesn’t sound like freedom to me. To truly understand why sin equals bondage and not freedom, answer this question: how many times, after sinning, do you feel the crushing weight of guilt? I know I did in that season and frankly, every time I sin. And what about when you repeat the sin? Do you feel as if you were compelled somehow? That’s the enslavement part. Sisters, that’s not freedom. It’s actually a pathway to death, because “the wages of sin is death”.  But the good news is “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) So how do we go from death to life? Happy to share.

“Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Mindset is defined as the established set of attitudes held by someone. So when we read this verse, we see two mindsets, “of the flesh” and “of the Spirit.” To be clear, we can’t have both.

We’re born with a bent toward self. We want our way. We’re not inherently good. Romans 3:10-12 tells us there is not one righteous person, no one who seeks God, and no good person. “But Mari,” you say, “aren’t Christians good people?” Good question. Let me answer by comparing and contrasting.

Non-Christians “live according to the flesh,” or have a mindset of the flesh. Romans 8:7 tells us, “The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.” So nonbelievers cannot and will not live according to the Spirit or the Word. They can’t please our Holy God. As a result they “carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:19-21 explains the fruit of those choices: “sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,  idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar.” Sobering, isn’t it?

But Christians live by a different mindset, that of the Spirit. “The mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.” Life and peace is quite different from the outcome of the mindset of the flesh. When “the Spirit of God lives in you,” the fruit we bear is very different. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Did you catch that word in the middle of the list? Goodness. We can only be righteous and display true goodness when we live by the Spirit. Though we start out with the mindset of the flesh, we can have a change in our actions, our fruit. We banish that sinful list of the flesh by overcoming sin and gaining freedom. But how?

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

We choose Jesus. When we do, the Holy Spirit comes and lives in us and, dear Sisters, enables us to live by the Spirit. (John 3:21)

“Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and everything in them.”
(Psalm 146:5-6)

The Lord frees prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, and loves the righteous.
Let us choose freedom over captivity and bondage.
I pray each of us will choose to live by the Spirit and walk in freedom!

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Fruitful Day 11 Cultivating Fruitfulness

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Numbers 14:1-10
Joshua 14:6-15
Joshua 21:43-45
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
2 Timothy 2:11-13

Fruitful, Day 11

Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit requiring time to grow.
Therefore, in a fast-paced world seeking instant gratification, it is sometimes underrated.
Faithfulness may not be glamorous, exciting, or fashionable, but it’s a fruit with richness and depth making it well worth the effort of cultivating.

Like every fruit of the Spirit, faithfulness begins with God. It is a key attribute of His character, woven through every page of Scripture; His faithfulness is unchangeable. Paul writes, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

This is a relief! Firstly, because in a rapidly-changing world, it is comforting to know God is constant, but secondly because we don’t need to look far in Scripture (or the world around us) to see the unfaithfulness of humanity. The whole of the Old Testament is a story of God’s faithfulness despite His people’s failure and disobedience.

We see this on multiple occasions as the Israelites journey to the Promised Land. Despite God’s repeated promise they would receive the land, and although He’d already demonstrated His power and love by rescuing them from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness is marked with their faithlessness. The result was complaining, lack of trust, disobedience, and even idol worship.

Consider how the Israelites waited at the edge of the Promised Land for 12 spies to bring back a survey report. (Numbers 13) Overwhelmed by the ferocity of the land’s residents, the Israelites doubt their ability to conquer it. Their focus on challenges, instead of God’s power and faithfulness caused fear to infect the majority of Israelites resulting in a refusal to enter the land.

Amazingly, God doesn’t give up on His people. There are consequences for their faithlessness, and they wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, but the Lord continues to go with them and guide them, showing His faithful commitment to them even in small details, “I led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes and the sandals on your feet did not wear out[.]”(Deuteronomy 29:5)

When they finally arrived in the land, the challenges continued, but through the ups and downs of their circumstances, God’s faithfulness remained constant.

“None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed.
Everything was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:45)

Amid the Israelites’ unfaithfulness, two men stand out as shining examples of faithfulness. Caleb & Joshua

They were two of the twelve spies who explored the land, but, unlike the others, Joshua and Caleb remained confident of God’s presence and power to enable them to conquer the land.  s willing to stand against the crowd.

Their courage to stand against the crowd nearly resulted in death by stoning as their fellow Israelites were unwilling to listen or follow in faith. (Numbers 14:10) Caleb and Joshua were left with no choice but to join the rest of their nation as they turned around and began their journey away from the Promised Land.

It must have been incredibly frustrating, but when we meet Caleb and Joshua again, 45 years later, we see they have remained faithful to God. The two men are just as sure of God’s faithfulness as they were all those years earlier.

“Here I (Caleb) am today, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then. Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day[…] Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.” (Joshua 14:10-12)

Their passion and determination are undiminished, and their faith in God is as strong as ever.

When I think of examples of faithfulness today, I think of Ian. In his mid-80s, much like Caleb, Ian is still actively involved in his church and community, and has a passion to share God’s Word with younger generations.

Until last year, he ran a club in a local school helping pupils explore the Bible, and each year he organised funding for them to go on a weekend away, then accompanied them on the trip. One year, when we were short on space, he even offered to sleep in a tent if necessary!

Ian will never be well-known, and he doesn’t seek any reward, but his life is one of quiet faithfulness to God. A few years ago, I had the privilege of attending a prayer meeting Ian participated in. This group had been meeting together once a month to pray . . . for over fifty years!

It is one of the most inspiring prayer meetings I have ever attended. There is something wonderful about hearing the prayers of people who have followed Jesus for decades, who have known His faithfulness through the ups and downs of life, and who in turn have faithfully committed themselves to Him.

So how do we cultivate a life of faithfulness?

One step at a time, one day at a time, as we seek God, hold to His faithfulness, and allow His Spirit to work within us.

There is no quick, easy way to grow this fruit,
but people like Joshua, Caleb, and Ian encourage me it’s worth it.
Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 remind us it’s possible
because of God’s faithful commitment to us.

“Now may the God of peace sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.”

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Fruitful Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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If Day 11 Free Ride

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If Day 11 Free Ride

Sara Cissell

July 26, 2021

Follow,Gift,Holy Spirit,Jesus,Joy,Kingdom,Love,Peace,Redemption,Relationship,Sacrifice,Seeking,Significance,Trust

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 13:44-46
Romans 5:1-5
Matthew 6:25-34
James 1:2-4

“Yes, but it’s going to cost you.”

Have you heard a version of this phrase, if not those exact words? 

I have. Sometimes it’s said with the humor of a friend; other times, it has been spoken with all seriousness. 

Cost. 
We understand it from a monetary sense pretty easily. Do I have the money needed to buy this? How much do I need or want said item, and what am I willing to do to ensure I can make the payment? 

But do we grasp the concept of cost beyond dollar signs? 
Do we recognize cost is involved in every decision we make? 
Beyond that, do we recognize we are changed by every decision we make? 

In the business world, return on investment, otherwise known as ROI, is a recurrent phrase. Will an investment provide a return that is worth the cost of the investment?

Will our investment of following Jesus provide a valuable return?

Suppose following Jesus cost us nothing?

Cost is significant. 
Upon reflection, I honestly cannot think of a time when cost was not connected to change in my character or life.  Even when I’ve received a free gift, I am aware of the significant cost to the giver. 
Cost is always involved. 

With these thoughts swirling through my mind, I sat down to write this study.

What if following Jesus cost us nothing?            

If my brain were a literal computer, I would be receiving an error message. In fact, my mind is unable to compute that sentence, and I think of the movie Mean Girls, in which a character says, “The limit does not exist” during math class. 

We’re either following Jesus, or we’re leading ourselves.
We’re seeking His kingdom, or we’re building our own. 
We’re either counting the cost to follow Him, or we’re not investing. 

Adam and Eve chose to invest in the words of the serpent and we are still reaping the returns on their investment. From the very beginning of time, cost has been at play.
Our relationships with Jesus are no different.            

The Bible says a difficult road and narrow gate are the way to heaven. Narrow means lots of decisions are involved in staying the course. Narrow means potentially being misunderstood by those walking the broad paths. Narrow means uncomfortable seasons and various invitations for growth. 

Narrow means there will be a cost,
and the final return on investment is Heaven.

But what if…
following Jesus cost us nothing?

We willingly pay out for what we view as valuable.
If we aren’t willing to pay, we deem the value as worthless. 

Eternity with Jesus is a pretty significant return on investment, and motivates many people to choose to trust Him. However, Heaven is not the only return we receive when we truly follow the Lord. 

Galatians 5:22-24 highlights the fruit of the Spirit, and outlines the cost of their cultivation. When we “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires,” we allow the Spirit to move within us and He pours out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The brutal language describing the cost of following Jesus boldly declares to us that holiness, not happiness, is the aim of the Christian life. The way of change, the way of transformation, the narrow way of daily putting to death the sin nature wrapped around our spirits since Adam and Eve’s initial investment . . . this is the way of great cost.

We gladly pay the cost because the benefit far outweighs the price tag of surrendering self to the Savior who gave Himself wholly for us, choosing to hold nothing back. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Whole surrender is the way of Jesus, who sacrificed everything from His human body to His very existence in community with the Father. 

This is the way of Jesus-followers, who are called to walk in His footsteps by picking up our own crosses.

Oh yes, the cost is great.
But the reward, “the joy set before [us],” Jesus assures us, is far greater.

For in return for Jesus’ sacrifice, we receive redemption, the knitting back together of our spirits once torn apart by the claws of our sinful choices.

In return for our costly sacrifice, we become more like Him, the One who sacrificed all for our redemption.

Thus, not only do we know Him more deeply, but we reflect Him more clearly to the searching world around us.

“Come,” our lives say, “Here is the One who can breathe healing and life into your shattered soul.” 

Finally, in Ephesians 6:10-18, we learn how God equips and sustains us through the attacks we will experience during our days on earth. The Lord does not leave us alone until we get to heaven. He is faithfully with us, teaching us how to navigate this lifetime. Again, the benefit of never being alone or ill-equipped adds to the value of following Jesus with our whole lives. 

We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we have the Word of God to read and learn, and we have the Heavenly Father loving us deeply. The Lord’s love is infinite and His mercies are new every morning. 

While the sacrifices and challenges involved in following Jesus are quite costly, the ROIs of following Christ are infinite. I will gladly invest to gain Christ and heaven for eternity, and to point others to His open arms during my time on earth. 

I am so very grateful that following Christ costs me something.
This is a gift I can never repay!

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Enough Day 12 Humble King: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
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The Questions

1) What is the attitude of Jesus? (verse 5)

 

2) How did He demonstrate that attitude? (verses 6-8)

 

3) What is the fruit of this attitude? (verses 9-11)

Philippians 2:5-11

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.
7 Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.
And when he had come as a man,
8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
9 For this reason God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
11 and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Original Intent

1) What is the attitude of Jesus? (verse 5)
Verse 8 in Philippians 2 says Jesus’ attitude is humble and obedient. Jesus is co-equal in the fullness of deity and divinity with God the Father and God the Spirit. God’s singular essence is expressed in three different persons, Father, Son, and Spirit. In Philippians 2, we are told that Jesus didn’t view His equality as something to be exploited. The Greek word for “exploited” is “harpagmos”, meaning to seize or prize something so as to hold onto it. Picture a mighty warrior armed for battle. He has a sword at his side, but he doesn’t choose to seize (or exploit) it for his own benefit or protection. This is a similar concept for Jesus as He came to earth. He chose not to seize all the power and status available to Him as God the Son, even though it was His. As He “emptied Himself”, He did not become “less God”, rather He chose not to seize His status so He could humbly become not just human, but the likeness of a servant. Jesus is both 100% God while also 100% human. When we look at the heart of Christ’s humility, we see its roots are embedded in fullness and security. Jesus knew His identity as God. When we look at the heart of obedience, it is love. In John 14:15 Jesus tells His followers, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” Love leads to humble obedience.

2) How did He demonstrate that attitude? (verses 6-8)
As Christ emptied Himself, that is, chose not to use His full power and authority as God the Son while on earth, He clothed Himself in the humble form of humanity. He took on the role of servant to the world He created. This posture is not new for God. As we read the entire Bible, we see God calling Himself the helper of Israel, or the helper of a person. He bends toward His creation, entering into our struggles and our reality to help us. In studying Philippians 2, we see the depths and lengths to which Jesus expressed God’s humility. He not only came as a man, but as a servant who would die a convicted criminal’s death on the cross. He died for those who would receive His sacrifice and for those who would reject Him. John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” 1 Peter 3:18 adds, “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit.”
1 John 2:2 says, “He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” He gave His life as an offering for all. This self-sacrifice is the highest form of both humility and obedience. He loves so deeply that His generosity is boundless as He gives up Himself for us, His beloved.

3) What is the fruit of this attitude? (verses 9-11)
In Hebrews 12:2 we are told Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame for the joy set before Him. What was this joy? You. Me. Our salvation. He humbled Himself so we might not perish, be brought near to God, and made alive by His Spirit. This is His joyful reward! We are the joy set before Him! The restoration of all things that had been wrecked by sin was and is His motivation. The fruit of His humility and obedience is that He is exalted above all names, that every knee will bow on heaven and on earth and every tongue confess the truth that He is Lord. The fruit of Jesus’ humility is our salvation and restored relationship with God. One day, the whole of creation will declare this truth in due time.

Everyday Application

1) What is the attitude of Jesus? (verse 5)
We are to take on the attitude of Jesus who demonstrated humble obedience, rooted in love and security, willing to self-sacrifice for those who receive us and those who don’t. We can try to muster up this attitude, but Jesus warns us that without Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5) We are meant to abide in His love so that we are able to bear Christ’s fruit.  (John 15:9) The type of Christ-like humility and obedience we are called toward is utterly beyond us if we attempt to dredge it up without His presence, power, and love as the source of our motivation and capability. When we abide in Christ, and are rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17), we have security in our identity as His beloved children (Ephesians 1:5-13) and are capable of humbling ourselves as He did because He has changed our heart desire to follow the God we trust and love, just as Jesus did.

2) How did He demonstrate that attitude? (verses 6-8)
Jesus demonstrated His humility by choosing to come to earth as a servant and by ultimately going to the cross. We are invited by Him to follow His example and deny ourselves, for the love of Him and others, as we take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24) The meaning of this invitation and exhortation should drive the way we walk through everyday life. To pick up our cross, is to imply that we will not hesitate to cheerfully and willingly bear persecutions, troubles, distresses just as our Savior did. Jesus bore the cross; He took it up and laid Himself upon it in all humility. He did not do this stoically or easily, but He did it willingly and with great humility and love. When we follow Jesus, we ultimately become the type of people who are also willing to die to ourselves as we follow Him. Those who follow Jesus are to consider others as more important than themselves (Philippians 2:3), choosing to live sacrificially because they are filled with the kind of love that pours out freely.

3) What is the fruit of this attitude? (verses 9-11)
The fruit of Jesus’ humble, loving obedience is our restoration to God and also the rightful exaltation of Him above all else. For us, the fruit is surprisingly similar. In James 4:10 we are told to humble ourselves before the Lord and He will exalt us. He lifts us when we bow to Him. When we do not insist on our own way (1 Corinthians 13:15) we bend as Jesus did, making room for God’s way. The fruit of our bending is a character more formed to the likeness of Jesus and it can even have the extended fruit of reaching others for Jesus. Many turn away from Jesus because of the pride of His people. Jesus chided the pharisees for this sin over and over. (Matthew 23, Luke 11:37-54, Mark 12:35-40, Luke 20:45-47) When a Christian has the attitude of Jesus, however, one of humble servitude, combined with obedient love, people who don’t yet know Jesus will see something unique and be drawn to Him through what they see of Him alive in us. (John 13:35)

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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

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Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Questions 2 Day 7 You Do You: Digging Deeper

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Questions 2 Day 7 You Do You: Digging Deeper

Melodye Reeves

February 2, 2021

Digging Deeper,Encourage,God,Humility,Kingdom,Life,Love,Scripture,Significance,Truth,Wisdom

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "You Do You"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Proverbs 1:20-33

20 Wisdom calls out in the street; she makes her voice heard in the public squares. 21 She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates: 22 “How long, inexperienced ones, will you love ignorance? How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge? 23 If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words. 24 Since I called out and you refused, extended my hand and no one paid attention, 25 since you neglected all my counsel and did not accept my correction, 26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when trouble and stress overcome you. 28 Then they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the Lord, 30 were not interested in my counsel, and rejected all my correction, 31 they will eat the fruit of their way and be glutted with their own schemes. 32 For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33 But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Is the personification of Wisdom as a woman significant to the passage? (verses 20-21)

The majority of Proverbs is authored by King Solomon, the son of King David, who admirably asked the Lord for wisdom to lead his kingdom rather than asking for personal fame, wealth, or power. (2 Chronicles 1:1-12) As God often does, He rewarded the king’s request by giving him more than he sought. It was Solomon’s wisdom that brought him much recognition, wealth, and success. He penned many words of wisdom that were not recorded in Scripture but were known throughout the world. (1 Kings 4:29-34)

We are not told specifically why Proverbs personifies the quality of wisdom as a woman. The Hebrew word for wisdom is the feminine noun hakmot, leading some scholars to believe that Wisdom personified would naturally be translated “she.” It is difficult to know whether the feminine grammar structure of the word itself influenced his choice or not. What is obvious is that wisdom was so important to Solomon that he intentionally utilized the literary device of personification to elevate it to human form.

In personifying wisdom, he communicated the value of wisdom through a vivid illustration. Although I usually encourage digging into the context of a verse or passage, the book of Proverbs is one of a few unique books in Scripture which provides very little context. It is made up of independent, often witty, observations from its author about how the world operates, and offers practical and prudent solutions for life issues. “The word ‘proverb’ means ‘to be like,’ thus Proverbs is a book of comparisons between common, concrete images and life’s most profound truths.” (bible-studys.org) Personifying Wisdom captivates the reader and intensifies the wise instructions and important warnings from Solomon.

The Everyday Application

1) Is the personification of Wisdom as a woman significant to the passage? (verses 20-21)

Solomon is painting a picture for his son. Throughout Proverbs, Solomon warns his son of the two kinds of women, the virtuous kind and the wicked, seductive kind. This ‘woman’ (Wisdom) is the feminine personification of godly wisdom. Solomon, the man of wisdom, offers his son what had become so valuable to him through God’s provision.

Solomon understood the value and significance of a woman. Painting wisdom as a woman would likely be compelling to the young man, not necessarily in a sexual way but in a tender and nurturing way. (Proverbs 1:8-9) In portraying wisdom as an elegant lady, Solomon sets the scene for his instruction to his son. Lady

Wisdom provides a better choice for us too. She provides the pathway to a better life. Friend, putting ourselves in the center of our world will not bring us peace. The fruit of the righteous person is demonstrated by our desire for and pursuit of wisdom. She calls out to us, “Seek wisdom and let your gentleness and humility be known to all!”. (James 3:13-18)

The Original Intent

2) To whom does Wisdom speak and why must she loudly cry out? (verses 21-24)

Solomon reminds his son of the enticement and secrecy of sin (verses 10-11) and instructs him to instead heed the voice of Wisdom (verse 21) above the noise.

Wisdom has nothing to hide as she cries out “at the entrance of the city gates.” She is calling those who love their ignorance to pay attention to her, but they are content to continue in foolish ways rather than do the hard work required to gain knowledge. If we were looking down on the crowd, we would see chaos and disorder.

Solomon has observed the battle that raged between Wisdom and her mockers as he ruled his kingdom. He has seen the devastation foolishness creates (verses 27-28) and wants his son to pay attention to the threat. “The greatest tragedy is that there’s so much noise that people can’t hear the things they really need to hear. God is trying to get through to them with the voice of wisdom, but all they hear are the confused communications clutter, foolish voices that lead them farther away from the truth.” (Warren Wiersbe biblegateway.com)

The Everyday Application

2) To whom does Wisdom speak and why must she loudly cry out? (verses 21-24)

As I write this study, many are reflecting on the year 2020. It seemed to be a year of confusion and chaos, but Wisdom shouts to us above the chaos. She calls the righteous to hear and heed her instruction and warnings. Make no mistake, it is the Lord Who is behind her voice!

Until we exchange our identity for Christ’s, we limit our lives to the brokenness of the world. This exchange happens through our surrendering ourselves to God and receiving His forgiveness and righteousness.  (1 John 2:28-3:3) Sister, our identity with Christ encompasses all the abundance of being a beloved daughter of God.  In Christ we have been given all wisdom!

Solomon chose wisdom and became rich. When we choose Christ, we also become rich. Wisdom is calling out through the person of Jesus Christ, “I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

The Original Intent

3) What warning does Wisdom give to those in the downward spiral toward apostasy? (verses 28-32)

Apostasy is defined by Merriam-Webster as “1: an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith 2: abandonment of a previous loyalty. (merriam-webster.com) It is clear from the passage that people have a choice about which way they will go. Their chaotic lives are, to a great extent, the consequence of their intentional decision to refuse Wisdom’s call. It is not fate that has brought about this foolishness. The mockers enjoyed their condition and rejected Wisdom’s counsel and correction as she calls them to fear the Lord. (verses 29-30)

The apostle Paul tells us in the New Testament that God will give the wicked what they desire. (Romans 1:24-25) It is important to note that those who hated knowledge received the “fruit of their way … and their own schemes”. (verse 31) Wisdom is not laughing (verse 26) at the fool’s calamity as some hard-hearted scoffer who does not sympathize with human misery. Wisdom is not the mocker!

We once again see the comparison Proverbs often uses. Laughter reveals the absurdity of choosing an unwise way of living that leads to destruction rather than receiving the security that Wisdom offers, which leads to life. (verse 33)

The Everyday Application

3) What warning does Wisdom give to those in the downward spiral toward apostasy? (verses 28-32)

Whether we decide to accept or reject the knowledge of God, our choice determines our future. Choosing the path of self-centered living only leads to destruction.

We may be the smartest woman in our circle. We may be the most confident. We may believe the lie of our adversary (1 Peter 5:6-8) that tells us exalting ourselves is the way to happiness. Yet, the wisest man who ever lived would urge us to resist this way of thinking.

Although being confident, smart, and powerful are not evil in themselves, they are not the source of contentment and tranquility, my sweet sister. “But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.” (verse 33) What a beautiful description of the peace that comes from listening to Wisdom. Humbling ourselves before the Lord is the beginning of a life of abundance and satisfaction. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) As we look to the future, dread will not be a part of our vocabulary. And as we seek wisdom, we receive all the rest of the promises that are ours as we hide ourselves in God through our Savior Jesus Christ. (Colossians 3:3)

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Beloved Day 6 A Lover’s Delight

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Song of Solomon 4:12-16
Genesis 2:18-25
Proverbs 31:10-12

Beloved, Day 6

Have you ever walked in a garden under a pale moonlight? It’s counterintuitive, but at night, a garden truly glows. Everything is bathed in the moon’s gentle light. Visitors can breathe in the sweet fragrance of roses and lavenders, an intoxicating aroma.

During the day, the gardener tends to the plot, and the garden becomes hard-working and industrious. But at night, the garden invites the gardener to lay down the stresses of the day and rest in the pleasure of the fruits of his labor.

Our God is a giver. In Scripture, we encounter His gifts of both literal and metaphorical gardens. In the beginning, He created a world full of blessings. Then, God gave Adam and Eve dominion over creation and entrusted them to rule as He would. God also gave mankind the gifts of food and His Sabbath rest. Tucked away in the midst of all those blessings was another gift, a command to be fruitful and multiply while subduing the Earth.

In Genesis 2, we learn of the creation of the first man, Adam, and how God entrusted him with two gardens. The literal garden of Eden was given as part of Adam’s domain to cultivate, because it is where Heaven met Earth. The second and metaphorical garden, Eve, was given to Adam because God saw Adam needed a companion and helper in order to fulfill his purpose.

In the union of Adam and Eve, we find the design for pure delight and pleasure within marriage:

“This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh. Both the man and his wife were naked, but felt no shame.”
(Genesis 2:24-25)
Wrapped up in the sacred space of marriage, both husband and wife were truly free and truly satisfied.

Song of Solomon builds upon the foundation laid in Genesis, giving us a detailed look at God’s plan for pleasure and delight within the boundaries of marriage. Chapter 4 recounts the culmination of the wedding ceremony; here, we find the groom describing his bride as an abundant garden.

Within the garden metaphor, our Creator begins to unlock the mystery of Godly marriage. A good gardener tends carefully to his garden, looking forward to a fruitful harvest. He protects it from pests and disease and rot. The gardener removes troublesome weeds, ensuring a nutrient-rich environment. Finally, his gentle hand encourages flowers and fruit-producing trees to grow. Such a prized and prioritized garden will not only produce an abundant harvest, but will be a great beauty to behold.

In the same way, a husband is to tenderly care for, encourage, and protect his wife, helping her to flourish. Proverbs 31 describes a wife who is industrious and productive under the care of a good gardener.

Within the partnership of Godly marriage, both husband and wife, gardener and garden, delight in the pleasures of a fruitful harvest. In the safety and innocence of lifelong commitment, spouses find every physical sense captivated and exhilarated:

“You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes;
With one jewel of your necklace.
How delightful your caresses are, my sister, my bride.
Your caresses are much better than wine,
And the fragrance of your perfume, than any balsam.
Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride.
Honey and milk are under your tongue.”
(Song of Solomon 4:9-11, emphasis mine)

As with a garden, cultivating joy and pleasure within marriage requires time and intention. After the battles of the day have been fought, and the responsibilities of the day are laid to rest after bedtime prayers, husband and wife must intentionally turn their hearts, minds, and bodies to one another. Just as a vigilant gardener tends to every corner of his garden, we must make space to nurture our emotional, relational, spiritual, and physical connections.

But this sweet image of man and wife delighting in the fragrance and abundance of their nighttime garden is incomplete. Spouses will never find full delight, full satisfaction, full completion, solely in their mates . . . because husband and wife are human, and imperfect, and sinful.

Only when we have first found fullness of delight in God (our perfect, holy, lacking-in-nothing and possessing-all-we-need God) can we turn our attention from the scarcity in our spouse to overflowing gratitude for all the ways God blesses us through him.

And so, sisters, in the gardens of our marriages, let us first pursue and delight in our Master Gardener. Then, let’s enjoy the blessing of love and take delight in our spouses all the days of our lives.

“Go, eat your bread with pleasure, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already accepted your works. Let your clothes be white all the time, and never let oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife you love all the days of your fleeting life, which has been given to you under the sun, all your fleeting days. For that is your portion in life and in your struggle under the sun.”
(Ecclesiastes 9:7-9)

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Focus Day 9 Make Peace: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

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The Questions

1) How can I cultivate peace?

2) What is the fruit of righteousness?

3) How do I get wisdom from above?

James 3:13-18

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

Original Intent

1) How can I cultivate peace?
The Greek word for peace, Eirene, means “right relationships between man and man.”  Author William Barclay suggests that in James 3:18, James is saying “we are all trying to reap the harvest which a good life brings. But the seeds which bring the rich harvest can never flourish in any atmosphere other than one of right relationships between man and man.”  Barclay also suggests that “in the Bible peace means not only freedom from all trouble; it means enjoyment of all good.”  The book of James suggests we can make peace not only by avoiding unnecessary conflict with others, but also by treating them with love and kindness.  John W. Ritenbaugh also asserts, “peacemaking involves not only mediating but also everything the person is, his attitude and character as well as what he intends to accomplish. Peacemaking is a package dominated by the godliness of the person.”  When we treat others with the love of our heavenly Father, we are cultivating peace with them.  It is not something we can do without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.  But when we let God’s saving grace and love permeate our actions, we become peacemakers.

2) What is the fruit of righteousness?
Author Rhoderick D. Ice notes that the original audience for the book of James believed that “Goodness = righteousness. The Greek-speaking Jews put great emphasis on the ethical side of religion, and were very proud of their relationship to God. Goodness is the goal here, and it grows out of the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.”  Isaiah 32:17 also relates righteousness to peace, stating “the result of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.”  The apostle Paul also connects the two when he writes how the Kingdom of God is “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)  Paul also teaches in Romans 5:1 that our faith in God has made us righteous, which gives us the peace of God through Jesus Christ.  The righteousness of God works peace in our lives, and having God’s peace allows us to live a righteous life.  When we live a life of peace, love, gentleness, and faith, we draw and encourage others to know Jesus and enjoy the fruits of righteousness in their own lives.

3) How do I get wisdom from above?
The book of James was probably written by Jesus’ brother, James, to Christian Jews around AD 45-48.  It was probably the first New Testament book written.  One of the main topics in the book of James is wisdom; Charles Swindoll notes that James “looks a bit like the Old Testament book of Proverbs dressed up in New Testament clothes.”  According to Professor Robert W. Wall, the Hebrew word for wisdom, hokma, “suggests using our God-given intelligence to pursue the insight and know-how we need in order to negotiate life in the public square.”  James was instructing Jewish Christians how to live wisely with help from God.  Robert Chaffin, Jr., points out that James teaches “the ethical life flows as the fruit of God’s divine gift of wisdom.” James instructs Christians to seek wisdom from God to live the life God desires.  It is not the same as the earthly wisdom of humans, which is selfish and unholy.  True wisdom is a gift from God, given by God to those who seek Him to help them live a holy life.

Everyday Application

1) How can I cultivate peace?
I notice that when I argue with my loved ones, I am usually at fault.  I am not saying (or at least not admitting) that I am usually wrong, but I recognize how I often refuse to be the peacemaker I know I am called to be.  Sometimes I care more about being right, or getting what is rightfully mine, than I care about being like Christ.  Author Stephen J. Cole observes, “If you see a church or a home where there is peace, it is because the members have worked to cultivate peace.  They have listened to one another, respected one another, judged their own selfishness and pride, and sought to live in accordance with godly wisdom, not ‘worldly’ wisdom.” In the Bible, Paul also notes this in Romans 2:9-10:  “There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek;  but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.”   When I can focus more on doing what is good than on getting my own way, I am making peace with those around me and walking in the wisdom of the Lord.

2) What is the fruit of righteousness?
Author John W. Ritenbaugh suggests, “some of the fruit of righteousness are the qualities James mentions in James 3:17. Righteousness is therefore the seed from which these things grow.” Author John MacArthur concurs with Ritenbaugh saying, “Righteousness is equated with true wisdom because wisdom is righteous living.”  Author Andrew Murray says, “being right with God is followed by doing right.  ‘The righteous shall live by faith’ a righteous life.”  So, if I am peaceful, gentle, merciful, faithful and genuine, I am displaying the fruits of righteousness.  The more I let God’s saving grace work its power in my life (Titus 2:11-12), the more I will experience and display the fruit of righteousness.  Being saved and transformed by God enables me to live a righteous life that will show other people the life-changing love of Jesus.

3) How do I get wisdom from above?
The book of James tells us that wisdom from God is “pure and gentle, peace-loving and
compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without pretense.” (James 3:17).
This wisdom sounds amazing, but how do we access it?  One thing we can do is follow the counsel of James to those seeking wisdom.  He tells them to “ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. (James 1:5) This truth is also found in Proverbs 2:5: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”  We can also follow the advice in the book of Proverbs to “Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life”. (Proverbs 19:20) Wisdom also comes in knowing Jesus.  I Corinthians 1:24  states, “to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”  Concerning Christ as the wisdom of God, author Thabiti Anyabwile asks, “Can there be a greater display of the intricate and exquisite wisdom of God than the simultaneous punishment of sin and clemency of the sinner through the crucifixion of God’s perfect Son?” God, who is wisdom, offers us wisdom through His beloved Son, Jesus, who took the punishment for our sins on the cross so we could be blameless before Him. So, if we want godly wisdom, we can ask God to give it to us, we can learn from wise friends, and we can find it in the person of Jesus.  We are truly blessed to have such ready access to the wisdom that comes from God!

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Anchored Day 8 Yoked & Equipped

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 11:28-30
Colossians 3:1-11
John 14:15-17

Anchored, Day 8

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The following words by John Mark Comer profoundly impacted me when I first heard them shared at a conference I attended in October.

God does not offer escape.
He offers equipment.

Prior to hearing those words from my balcony seat in the midst of thousands of people, I don’t think I realized how often I have prayed for His yoke to be a way of escape from the world, rather than the equipment He provides to make spiritual progress.

Stay with me and let this really sink in to your spirit for a moment: Our spiritual progress is produced by accessing and utilizing the equipment He gives in the midst of the world around us, rather than by avoiding it.

Suddenly, the thought of the yoke is no longer a way to survive scenarios on the way to our eternal destination, but a way for us to thrive in and through them.

So, how does that happen? We understand more when we dig in to a few key things.

First, what is the significance of being “yoked” anyway?
When I asked Jesus to be my personal Lord and remove my sins, I died to my old way of life and began a new one. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”

Part of this newness is the Holy Spirit now dwelling within me. It is only through the help of the Holy Spirit that I live out this new life. I cannot imagine what this journey would be like without His guidance and empowerment.

It would absolutely be impossible!

He has the strength to bear the burdens of life, and since I am now yoked, or joined, to Him, He provides me the ability to obey and accomplish His good works in my life.
“I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

This “yoking” connection between me and the Spirit of God is far more efficient and successful when I am moving with Him rather than against Him. He spoke the universe into existence, so I am pretty sure that in a power struggle I will not come out on the winning end.

Okay, so what does it look like to move with Him?
How do I cooperate within the yoke? Welcome to Colossians 3: those boundary lines I mentioned a few moments ago.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
This refers to a mindset change; an intentional shift toward renewing my mind (Romans 12:2) because of the newness afforded me by the Holy Spirit.

As a Christian, I recognize that earth is not my permanent home. I know I will spend eternity in heaven and choosing to hold to a heavenly mindset provides me with an entirely new perspective on life. Hope is instilled within me, in the midst of the hardships, and an endurance to run the race is evident. Instead of looking at the world around me and seeking to see how it impacts me, I find myself looking at the world around me and seeking to see the Lord at work.

Where is He moving?
What is He doing?
How will He use this current frustration for His glory?

In order for this new mindset to be in place, Paul reminds us that the old mindsets need to go. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed… All are thought processes which lead to actions. Actions that draw us away from the Lord.

Yokes work best when we are moving in tandem rather than fighting to go down separate paths. Not only does working together help us with the movement, it also helps us avoid the pain of learning to follow the hard way.

Paul continues to expound on more heart responses that impede growth and inflict wounds in others if they are allowed to continue:

anger,
wrath,
malice,
slander,
filthy language,
lying…

This list is a powerful one with actions that cause our “yoke” to strain as we push against it.

However, Paul’s list in Galatians 5:22-23 is even more powerful. “But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
and self-control.”

When we move in tandem with the Holy Spirit, working within our yoke to Him,
this fruit blossoms.

He is the only One Who trades anger for joy and peace, malice for kindness, and so much more, when we choose to work with the yoke of the new life we’ve been gifted in Christ. It is through this movement of the Holy Spirit working within us that we can navigate this lifetime, not as escape artists holding out for heaven, but as co-laborers for the kingdom of heaven.

So suit up.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

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