Isn’t that a wonderful title for a post? Well, it will have to wait for a few more days. I have just finished teaching a conference, have a couple of days home and then am away again for a couple — teaching at a retreat. I will get back here. If you check in regularly, don’t give up, I will be back with more on Wisdom…or something in just a few days.
Author: Iris Godfrey
I am a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who is also the President of a non-profit Christian ministry. I am ordained through Elim Fellowship and enjoy a very diverse interdenominational fellowship.
Wisdom
I took this picture earlier this fall as my husband and I took a small trip for our 45th wedding anniversary. This waterfall is beautiful. It reminds me of God’s abundant wisdom–always available and flowing to whosoever will ask. James 1:5-6 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” WOW! That is just awesome.
I recently had a very difficult problem to tackle, and I had no idea how best to do it. If I did it one way, it looked like it would end in disaster, if I did it another — same result. So I took my camera and went away by myself — just me and my Lord — and I was just very honest with Him about my need for wisdom in the situation. I wanted to bless all involved, not hurt anyone, yet I had to do what needed to be done. One of my friends’ calls times like this “sticky steps.” Well it really was just that.
Within an hour the Lord showed me just how to handle the situation. It was clear, yet I never would have thought of that. Indeed it was “wisdom.” I knew He would come through for me, but He did so very beautifully that it almost made my head swim it was so precious.
So do you need to know wisdom in a situation? He is the one to talk with. He is so gracious and loving as He gently explains and shows us what to do. His wisdom is like this waterfall — flowing preciously, full and for any who will ask in faith. 
Amazing Faithfulness
Our Lord gives to us His amazing faithfulness. In every corner, in every moment, and as we watch year pile upon year, it is the same abundance of Himself that He showers. What a wonderful Friend!
As a child I sang “What a Friend we have in Jesus,” and it has come to mean my life. I am a person who loves friends. Yet, only the Lord Jesus is truly my “Best Friend.” I have a wonderful husband, daughter, sons, friends (some very close and dear ones), yet it is the Lord who is always there. It is the Lord who makes my paths straight. It is the Lord who gives me songs in the night. It is the Lord who greets me with Himself each morning. It is the Lord.
When he told us in 2 Peter 1:3 that He has given us all things for life and godliness, He really wasn’t kidding. He is the “all things.” Now just how wonderful can it get?!!!
Today is a study day, because tonight is our Friday Fellowship night in Psalm 19 Ministries. I am preaching on “Giving Grace,” and looking forward to the time both in study and in flight on my feet in the Holy Spirit through the Word.
Overshowed by His presence and His holding — I turn to digging in the Word. What joy!!!
Tuesdays are Grand
Tuesdays are grand because I get to teach an Institute level Bible Class tonight. Tonight it is Matthew 8-9. What a wonderful passage of Scripture. We (13 adult students and myself) will spend 21/2 hrs. enjoying the Spirit’s leading through these chapters. We get to discuss the relationship between authority and faith; sin and disease (ohhh that’s a biggie — it’ll be an exciting discussion I imagine); fasting, patching old cloth and filling new wine skins — another goody; demon possession and the Lord’s treatment of it (interesting–no fasting involved–hummmm) and then there is this call to pray for workers for the harvest.
The Lord’s Word is so alive and so rich for today. I am amazed as He allows me to work with such precious Words in such precious lives. My study, so far, is exciting to me. The PowerPoint is about ready for both chapters, now after some lunch, I will go further into the passages. I have to watch myself and not let it all “pop” before I get to class.
Hope your day is as special as this one is for me! Blessings.
Monday Morning
Well, that is what it is — Monday morning! I am blessed to be up and excited about my activities for the week. Last week (Wed.-Sat.) I was out of commission with a bad cold, and with that now mostly past, I am really looking forward to enjoy participating in this week. (Activities and schedule on ministry web site).
Last evening I attended the play Eternity, which is being produced at my local church. I must say I am impressed with the unvarnished truth of the Gospel that is presented in this production. I am not one to generally “go” for this type of evangelism, but I am blessed by this one. It is a broad “net” which is doing a marvelous job. (First night 37 responses; second night 42). I am a one-on-one type of person when it comes to evangelism, but this is doing a wonderful job. Plus, I do believe the follow up is in place to keep the time effective long after the play closes. Our congregation is not a large one, yet the acting is superb. I am thankful to have gone and thankful my church is producing it.
In the past, I have had a tendency to be critical of such efforts, especially when they are such “in-your-face” efforts. However, I am learning that the Lord uses many and various kinds of outreaches to get people into His Kingdom. I may not be led to be a part of any one kind, but that does not mean it is not to be used. We need to take our “critical caps” off and throw them to the wind. (Repentence — that is what it is called). If the gospel and love of our Lord is boldly proclaimed, then we need to bless the efforts.
May the Lord continue to bless Eternity!
Check this out…
I urge all my readers to check out the “Piper Friday” article posted by Adrian Warnock on his blog today (www.adrain.warnock.info). (I can’t seem to get the link to do it for me — so google it and you will be there). It is an excellent short artlice on John Piper’s position on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. You will be blessed!
Have a wonderful Friday.
Iris
Strange New World
I am home this morning, with a sore throat and various other cold like symptoms. Not what I had planned for my day, but none-the-less what I have been given. (Each day is a gift — regardless). So I want to use some time to write.
Last evening I taught Matthew 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount) in my 21/2 hour Bible Institute class. (small break in middle for comforts sake). I am absolutely astounded at the different way of life described there — different than our American Christian concept of life.
As our Lord Jesus describes for His disciples (and crowds listening) the “ways” of the kingdom of heaven, over and over again I am amazed at what I have not seen. Some teachers say it is impossible to live, some believe we are to try, some think it will only be in heaven — on and on. I firmly believe, that in the Holy Spirit, the life described in this passage is to be our way of living. Being in this world but not of it means that the world’s way of living is not to be mine.
The Lord touches everything in this passage — my possessions, my treasures, my interior person. His concern is my inward person, not my outward “doing.” Those who came saying, “Lord, Lord, did we not …” describing miracles, wonders, deliverance; His response was, “I never knew you,” — or “I don’t know you.” Their concentration was their “doing,” while His was their “being.” Obedience is important, but if the motive or reason for action is not what it needs to be then the obedience does nothing. In fact, the Lord calls these people evil. Interesting isn’t it?
The empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our lives is expected to transform our motives to produce the answer to our prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This means our individual lives are to dwell in this kingdom, not the world. As a result of individuals dwelling and “being” the kingdom of heaven, the church would be empowered to do the same.
I think we all need to study this sermon again and again.
Just Busy
I have not forgotten this blog. I will have a new post in a few days. We are just very, very busy with the beginning of a new ministry season. I just returned from Nazareth, PA, and a week-end of ministry with a church there. You will find a praise report about that on my ministry’s web site.
Thank you for reading. I know a good number tell me they enjoy it and check it regularly. Hey — I’d love to have a comment that you came.
Be back soon.
May The Words of My Mouth . . .
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NIV
These words are often quoted and sung in our churches and they are pregnant with meaning for us. There is much teaching in the church at large about what we say, but unfortunately I find one of two extremes on the subject. The first is that extreme we call “name and claim,” and the second extreme is the belief that if a Christian is not cursing (using the Lord’s name in vain, etc) then their speech is fine.
I believe the truth is between the two. But please understand what I am not saying. The Christian who believes that as long as they are not cursing, then they are not sinning with their mouth is the worst of the two extremes. Name and claim are closer to the Word. Yet, that too misses the mark and leaves a huge inaccuracy in our understanding of the Word.
I believe it is a matter of influence — not control. I do not believe the Bible teaches that we control our destiny with our words. I do believe, however, we sow the seeds of the future with our words. Those two statements are not the same. One is trying to control my circumstances by saying the right thing, the other is planting the seeds of the Spirit with our speech and thereby influencing everything around us with the Kingdom of God. As long as our words (and prayers) are mainly concerned with our circumstances (or someone else) we will never be able to do what the word is saying. Our words must be truth (not necessarily fact), kind, filled with grace and peace.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 29-32
I believe this is all expressed primarily through the words of our mouth. If we are angry, bitter, etc… it all comes out through our speech. The word in Psalm 19 is a prayer that what we “murmur” (mediation) about in our heart will be pleasing and what we say will be pleasing. All because He is our Rock and our Redeemer. It is not necessary for me to be critical. I usually think it is needful that someone speak up, but really no where (have I found) in Scripture does it tell me to be critical. In fact, it speaks just the opposite.
I see many lining up for prayer, wanting healing, that turn and destroy others with their attitudes and their speech. Healing does not flow in many of our churches, and I think that is in large part because we we violate the Word constantly in our talk. When will be really understand? Our speech is to be positive (Philippians 4:8). We have no other permission.
Let’s begin to curb and eradicate this plague of every person saying what is on their mind, and get back to a Biblical form of blessings — with our words.
Just some thoughts—.
His Great Faithfulness
“In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.” Psalm 19:4b HCSB This statement in Psalm 19 is often just read and then goes unmarked and unnoticed. Within this small statement is a huge truth.
The God of all creation provided a specific place for a specific created body. The sun has a job to do: to bring all the elements of light to our tiny globe so there can be life. Obvious. However, when we stop and think we realize everything the Lord created is set in its place and there is a provision for that thing — large or small. The sun was not just created and hurled into space to be wherever. It was designed and created for its place.
He pitched or created a tent or canopy for it. The sun does not do its job part of the time, it is a continuous expression — just the right orbit to accomplish what is just right for us. It has a tabernacle in which to live — it is not free to go where it might — it is assigned a space to fill for a purpose from the heart of the Father. It has full provision for its purpose.
How wonderful this is. Now, when we realize that such purpose was present and is continuing to be present in the creation, it will awe us to realize our lives are also pregnant with His purpose. He did not create me or you to just live and do the best we can. The Bible says that was done in His mind before the foundation of the world. (Eph. 2:4) So it was with great and tender purpose He put me (and you) on this globe at this time.
That “tent” or tabernacle or canopy contains the sun’s provision. No child of the Father is left to wander about wherever and perhaps stumble upon purpose and design, and grope for provision. We all come from Him and are cared for in Him. “In Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) We are to trust Him and to allow Him to reveal His provision for us.
So let us with firm confidence, relax in His hand and allow our worries to float away in His embrace. With such love we were formed, and in such love we live. His great faithfulness will continue for each of us throughout eternity. It is beyond our understanding, nonetheless, it is.
Come to Jesus He will give us rest — in His great faithfulness!
Mannaword 