Ignoring Counsel

When we seek advice from a trusted friend or counselor, we then have a choice whether to follow said advice. The counsel may be wise or unwise, but the couselor only has the obligation to give the advice, not to follow-through on the advice themselves or make you do what they suggested you do. Consequences will come whether we follow counsel or not.

Psalm 32:8-9 says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” Have a decision to make? Let the Lord gently instruct you. He is wise and omniscent. He is also good and has plans for your welfare, not to harm you (Jeremiah 29:11). But be sure to follow His leading though. Consequences will come if we ignore the Lord’s instruction.

Indestructible Life

As I get older I recognize and feel my weaknesses more. Just this morning I was walking on the treadmill when I started to feel pain in my right hip. I have never had this pain before. It is just another break down of an aging body. Yesterday, I got frustrated because I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. Another break down of an aging mind, I guess.

Hebrews 7:15-16 speaks of Jesus when it says, “This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.” Jesus demonstrated His indestructible power and authority over death with His resurrection. This is the same life giving power that He gives those who trust in Him. He grants indestructible eternal life to those who believe in Him. Physical and mental weaknesses may come in this life, but the life that Jesus lives and gives to His disciples is indestructible.

God Knows

We spend a good portion of our lives learning. If we are smart, we will intentionally keep growing in knowledge. Knowledge is useful but can serve to make us proud. Knowledge can also serve to help others, but love is needed to motivate us to do so.

I Corinthians 8:1-3 says, “we know that all of us possess knowledge. This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” Thinking that we know something well only serves our pride and is foolish. Instead, we should seek love, which builds up others and ourselves. But, best of all, God intimately knows those who love Him. God’s intimate knowledge of us allows Him to provide for our needs and to help us in His grace. He leads us in the paths that will keep us growing in His image and for the good of others.

Lawful, But Not Helpful

If you are like me, you may sometimes try to do things the easy way, rather than putting in your best efforts. I realize that it is alright to do it the easy way, but it may not yield the best results. Or I may be doing it the easy way to satisfy some selfish desire, rather than doing it for some greater good. Christians can get lulled into doing life the same way. We get practiced at saying the right things when all the while we are letting things into our lives that pull us away from God rather than nearer to Him. These things may not be wrong for us until we let them have a bigger place in our lives than they should and they push God further down our priority list.

I Corinthians 6:12 says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Even though you may want to do something that seems okay, ask yourself if this action will be helpful to growing nearer to God. Be on guard against behavior that pulls you away from God. Ask God to draw you nearer to Him.

Good Samaritan

Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest wa going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.'”

As God’s children, we are to be like Him in showing mercy toward others. Mercy is an active word that indicates action, so we should demonstrate mercy by our actions of love and compassion. The Bible says that God is rich in mercy. He demonstrated this truth by sending His own sin to die in our place. We could never have done enough to be declared righteous before a holy God. Instead, God forgives us and cleanses us from sin through the shed blood of His Son. Therefore, those of us who receive such great mercy should extend God’s mercy through our actions toward others.