Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed.




Tuesday, March 1, 2011

A Moment In Proverbs: Proverbs 1:23

Proverbs 1:23,
“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”

Yesterday, I spoke to you about speaking truth to those who are heading in the wrong direction and about hearing those who speak truth to us.  Today, we’re going to talk more about hearing reproof and how we handle it when it comes our way.

We don’t often want to be buffeted for conduct that we didn’t think was of any harm, in fact if we honestly looked at our heart motives, we don’t want anyone to tell us that they see sin in our lives, even though we know sin dwells there.  We say, “That’s my business, or I’m offended if they speak to me about my sin.”  How sad we are if we will not hear the words of wisdom and love from family, friends and spiritual mentors.

The promises to those who will open their ears and hearts to reproof are many and blessings are waiting as soon as the prideful heart is humbled.  God is in the business of forgiving, restoring and building into the lives of His people.  He often uses people to sharpen people while we learn to hold one another accountable. I read my granddaughter’s blog Monday night and it gave me such pleasure to hear her say that she has chosen to be under the discipline and guidance of her mother, father and elder siblings.  She said, “Consider, what happens when you have two lost people and they get together? They are both still lost…neither of them knows which way to go to get where they need to be. They need someone to guide them and show them which way to go…Someone who knows the way!” We are not in this world alone, God has placed mentors, teachers, guides, leaders, family and friends in our journey who call us to a straight walk before Him.

We have the Spirit which has been poured out upon us in abundance! We need only to ask Him to teach us the way and to guide our steps.  Yes, that even means if we need to open our ears and hearts to those He sends our way to instruct us.  God stretches forth His hand in many ways, often He uses ways that are puzzling to us, but He can use those things we think are foolish or weak to teach us great and mighty things about Himself (see 1Corinthians 1:26-28).

God will make known His words to us; not only by speaking them to us but making them known by giving us understanding for them.  It is by His grace that He empowers us to understand His great treasures.  All we need to do is deny our sin and humbly seek His leading through whatever means He decides to use to set us on the right course.

Now, let me say, there are many who want to lead us, yes, lead us astray, so we must be careful to whom we listen to.  We must consider what has been said to us and try it against the Word of God, if then it still stands as His wisdom; we need to take heed and ask God to lead us.  If it fails the test of His Word, then we can reject it without ramifications (1John 4:1-2).

Prayer: LORD, help us to hear your wisdom and instruction, even when we are being reproved. Your Word is like a fountain that constantly refreshes and strengthens the reader and hearer. We ask that you bless those you have placed in our lives to instruct us unto righteousness.  Give them courage to speak the truth when the truth is being drowned intentionally by the hearer or unintentionally by the sounds of the world around us.  LORD, let us to hear your Word above the clanging of this world and the disturbances of our own hearts and minds.  We submit ourselves to your loving grace and we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Abiding Still,

Connie Renfro ©

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