January 9th, 2024
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
I’m a HUGE backpacking fan, and the single most important thing you can have on a backpacking trip is some form of map and compass or map and GPS. Knowing where you’re going is not only ideal, but it’s vital to your survival when you are in the backcountry. Every year people get lost in the woods and need to call in emergency service for rescue, costing them thousands of dollars in fees and hospital expenses. In some cases, people lose their lives due to lack of cell service and no satellite communication. When you are heading into the unknown wisdom tells us we need something to guide us. This is one of the most important aspects of God’s Word.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
No one, and I mean no one, has the view of this world like the one that God does. He sees everything, knows everything, and has more wisdom in a single hair on his head than we could ever dream of having in our lifetimes. Knowing that would mean we would lean on His Word whenever trouble comes, or life’s big decisions, or when we have a falling out with someone, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, is it?
Years ago, I had a college student who played bass guitar in my worship band at church, and she decided she wanted to meet with myself and the Sr. Minister. We weren’t sure what the meeting was about, but we sat down with her to talk. She wanted to let us know that she was leaving the church to explore other sections of the Christian faith. She didn’t want to be tied down to one church, but have the freedom to go to a different church every week. She said she sought out the advice of a very wise person she knew, and they suggested that she needed to do that. She then let us know that person was 21 years old. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure there are some outliers here, and there are wise 21 year olds, but, if we’re honest, we all know that wisdom comes from years of experience, not knowledge.
Instead of opening a dialogue with someone who had really experienced life and faith, she sought out the wisdom of someone who was where she was. Meanwhile, she had people right there that would’ve poured into her and helped her with anything she needed. Needless to say, that didn’t end up working out for her. Finding a supportive church body that will support, uplift, challenge, and disciple you is what every believer needs. You can’t find that when you bounce from church to church. A wise believer would’ve told her that.
It’s amazing how often we all fall into that trap. We seek wisdom from places that don’t have it. We look for advice from people who are where we are, but haven’t really experienced anything beyond what we have. We, many times, just want someone to tell us that what we want to do is ok, we don’t want to hear a possible “no” when it comes to decisions we’re making. We look for echo chambers of support. The Bible tells us something completely different.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5–8
As I said earlier, God sees things differently than we do. He sees things correctly. Why then wouldn’t we seek out His Word to direct our paths? Are you struggling with temptation? Read Matthew Chapter 4 and see how Jesus handled it. Not sure how to pray? Read Matthew 6:5-15. Is your marriage struggling? Read Ephesians 5:22-33. Are you just looking for wise council on life in general? Grab a cup of coffee and read the book of Proverbs. God’s Word is literally loaded with Wisdom for any situation you are dealing with. Be warned, though. God’s Word is dangerous.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
True, wise guidance can be a mirror, and God’s Word is the same. In reading Scripture we can get a glimpse into who we really are, and that view isn’t always pretty….but it’s necessary. For us to become who God intends us to be, we need to know where we are starting from. Just like a trail map has a starting trail head and a final destination, we need to know where we are starting from as well. The Bible can show us a completely unfiltered view of ourselves that allows us to know where we need to go. For us to see that, though, we actually need to open it up and read.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Daily scripture reading is vital to the life of a disciple. Be sure to take advantage of the gift of God’s Word. Just like the hiker who needed rescue without a map, a believer without God’s word will find themselves lost in this world. Be encouraged to know you can take your map with you every day.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
No one, and I mean no one, has the view of this world like the one that God does. He sees everything, knows everything, and has more wisdom in a single hair on his head than we could ever dream of having in our lifetimes. Knowing that would mean we would lean on His Word whenever trouble comes, or life’s big decisions, or when we have a falling out with someone, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case, is it?
Years ago, I had a college student who played bass guitar in my worship band at church, and she decided she wanted to meet with myself and the Sr. Minister. We weren’t sure what the meeting was about, but we sat down with her to talk. She wanted to let us know that she was leaving the church to explore other sections of the Christian faith. She didn’t want to be tied down to one church, but have the freedom to go to a different church every week. She said she sought out the advice of a very wise person she knew, and they suggested that she needed to do that. She then let us know that person was 21 years old. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure there are some outliers here, and there are wise 21 year olds, but, if we’re honest, we all know that wisdom comes from years of experience, not knowledge.
Instead of opening a dialogue with someone who had really experienced life and faith, she sought out the wisdom of someone who was where she was. Meanwhile, she had people right there that would’ve poured into her and helped her with anything she needed. Needless to say, that didn’t end up working out for her. Finding a supportive church body that will support, uplift, challenge, and disciple you is what every believer needs. You can’t find that when you bounce from church to church. A wise believer would’ve told her that.
It’s amazing how often we all fall into that trap. We seek wisdom from places that don’t have it. We look for advice from people who are where we are, but haven’t really experienced anything beyond what we have. We, many times, just want someone to tell us that what we want to do is ok, we don’t want to hear a possible “no” when it comes to decisions we’re making. We look for echo chambers of support. The Bible tells us something completely different.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5–8
As I said earlier, God sees things differently than we do. He sees things correctly. Why then wouldn’t we seek out His Word to direct our paths? Are you struggling with temptation? Read Matthew Chapter 4 and see how Jesus handled it. Not sure how to pray? Read Matthew 6:5-15. Is your marriage struggling? Read Ephesians 5:22-33. Are you just looking for wise council on life in general? Grab a cup of coffee and read the book of Proverbs. God’s Word is literally loaded with Wisdom for any situation you are dealing with. Be warned, though. God’s Word is dangerous.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
True, wise guidance can be a mirror, and God’s Word is the same. In reading Scripture we can get a glimpse into who we really are, and that view isn’t always pretty….but it’s necessary. For us to become who God intends us to be, we need to know where we are starting from. Just like a trail map has a starting trail head and a final destination, we need to know where we are starting from as well. The Bible can show us a completely unfiltered view of ourselves that allows us to know where we need to go. For us to see that, though, we actually need to open it up and read.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
Daily scripture reading is vital to the life of a disciple. Be sure to take advantage of the gift of God’s Word. Just like the hiker who needed rescue without a map, a believer without God’s word will find themselves lost in this world. Be encouraged to know you can take your map with you every day.
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2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
March
April
Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
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