Pursuit of Happiness

Proverbs 23:4
Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Strive not for riches, but for life. Work towards providing for your basic needs and not towards the gain of wealth and riches themselves. In Matthew 7:11 Jesus said, “If you being evil know how to give good gifts, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask?” Am I working a job for my own pursuit of money, fancy house, the elitist of cars, or my expensive hobby? Why am I working? For me, it is for the basic needs of life; food, clothing, transportation, and family. I have learned to be content in all situations. Right now we were told there would be no pay raises. My retirement fund has lost over fifty percent of the assets it once had. But I labor not for these riches. I labor for the love that is within me. My job is my mission field. A place where God shines His light in my life everyday and continually grows ministry skills. That is not to say that I am perfect in this endeavor, besides I am an emotional female. I have my good days and bad days. But I strive not to please my pocket book. I strive and labor to please my Heavenly Father.

But the part of the verse that pokes at me is the second half, which says, “Cease from thine own wisdom.” Am I chasing after foolishness? Am I listening to the whisper of the world when it says, “Its okay, everybody does it?” Some sound words of wisdom I have found are; Psalms 119:34, “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea I shall observe it with my whole heart.: Psalm 119:60, “I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” Psalm 119:66, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge for I have believed thy commandments.” Proverbs 3:7, “Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

What wisdom are you clinging to and following? Are you listening and following the wisdom of this world that says, “Go ahead. There is nothing wrong with a little lie. No one believes you are wrong in just looking at a pretty woman/man. Take the money. You deserve it. Not being truthful on your taxes is okay, besides it's your money.” Justifying your bad behavior, ugly talk, gossiping, or just being rude is the “pursuit of your own wisdom; being wise in thine own eyes.” Cease! Cease from your own wisdom and folly. Follow the commands, laws, promises, and precepts written within the Holy Bible. “Love one another. Treat others as you would yourself. Honesty is the best policy. Be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing unto God.” Live in reverent and Holy fear of God, His majestic presence, His everlasting power, and His great wisdom and knowldge!

Seek the wisdom, knowledge, and sound judgment that He has to offer. His home is opened to you, more that that He offers to bring His home, His kingdom, presence, and majesty to you! He longs to fill your cup, your plate, your life with all His wisdom and knowledge, mercy and truth. Cease striving after the things the world offers. There is no lasting value in it. It is a "chasing after the wind."

O cry out to God, “Teach me! Teach me for I long for your everlasting peace. Teach me, for my heart is weary of the foolishness of this world. Teach me, for I desire Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your knowledge, Your strength, and Your eternal love.” Make haste! Delay not! Welcome the Master and Teacher into your home. Open the Bible and discover the jewels of peace and love; the gems of love and selflessness; the light that draws you from the shadows and sorrows of life; the living water that restores your soul when you are tired of living the life this world offers; and the bread of life which never decays with age, but grows ever sweeter day by day as you dwell in the secret place of the Most High God and feast upon His lasting promises!

Cease! Cease from thine own wisdom. Open the Book of Life. Discover the world God longs to give you!

Friendship

Throughout the New Testament, Paul continually writes words of greetings and thankfulness over his friends, companions, brothers and sisters in ministry. He mentions their faithfulness, their comfort, their service, their dedication, their prayers, and their love. Throughout Paul’s ministry he was surrounded by others. Some were close friends. Some were partners in ministry and service. Some he supported and some supported and comforted him. Even during solitary times in prison, Paul still had friends and fellow believers who cared deeply for him and continued to meet his every need.

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by counsel.” (Prov 27:9)

O the joy of friendship. A friend is someone who will hold you when you cry, who will listen to your fears, tears, and dreams. A friend is someone who can laugh when you laugh and will sing when you sing. A friend is someone whose mere presence is a delight and joy to your heart. A friend is someone who carries the rainbow in the storm of your life and who leads you to the living water when your soul hungers and thirsts after God. A friend is someone who cares and prays as if you were one of their own; shedding tears of sorrow, anguish, and love in petition for and with you. A friend will hold the candle in the darkest of night and will come beside you and walk the difficult path. A friend is ointment for healing the wounded or tired spirit. A friend will bring to your life strength for tomorrow. A friend encourages. A friend endures.

O the joy of friendship, “ointment and perfume” that rejoices the heart. There is nothing like the “sweetness” of a friend. May you be blessed with a friend.

Teach Me

Psalm 119:66
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.

Having read this scripture it has me thinking about my life. The different things I would like to do. The things I want to do. The things I know I should do but haven’t done. And I am reminded of the words of God towards David. “A man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

I want a heart like David. I want to love God so much that everything I do is screened through that window of love. I want to love Him more. I want to know Him more. I want to obey Him more. I want to do what He wants me to do and I want to do it with all my heart and inner most being.

My heart cries “Teach Me.” Fill my heart with such a hungered passion to know You and Your enduring word that nothing satisfies this craving but You. Empty out all the worldly distractions and replace them with your Holy Spirit and your Holy Word. Teach me knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

Teach me that I may know good judgment; that I might form reasonable plans to present before you. Teach me, that my life might be a testimony of your great love!

Teach me, that I may be a light in this darken world, that others might be drawn to this light and enter into your everlasting love and heavenly kingdom.

Teach me, for my ways are wicked and my thoughts are only of me. Teach me, that I may teach my children what You mean to me.

Teach me, for I believe in your commandments.

Feast

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Patiently you watch and wait my arrival. Knowing that what You have prepared is meat for my soul, and rest and refreshment for my body. Once inside You gently lift the burdens of the day off my shoulders, placing them at your feet and away from my prying eyes and fiddling hands. Allowing opportunity for me to explain the unnecessary burdens and behaviors I bore throughout the day and humbly submit to the washing of my hands and feet.

Cleanse me O God for I am a wretched man, traveling through a dangerous land with valleys of fear, rivers of tears and anguish, thorns of selfishness, fires of envy, and rocks of lies that are tossed in foolishness and anger. But, You - are my firm foundation. You - are my stronghold. You - are my fortress and strong tower. In You alone I place my trust and rest in the shadow of Your mighty wing.

But You have placed a table and meal in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. You have prepared my table in the courtyards, in the valleys, on the hilltops, and in the darkest of caves – in the presence of mine enemies. The enemy who seeks to destroy and cast me aside. Yet you bid them come. Come and see the nourishment You give. Come and see the food You have prepared. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Sit and feast upon the riches of God’s glory. Come all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Come for I long to share my Father’s house with you.

Come. Receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Come to the banqueting table and worship the God who saves. Come and taste the living water. Come and know there is none like Him. Come and let me share what He has prepared for you and me.

His Presence

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea though I walk the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

Psalm 23 is one of the most quoted verses of the bible. It is most commonly quoted during funerals, or times of difficulty in ones life. But I have found this verse to be inspirational in my everyday life. Especially when remembering the loving, giving, and caring qualities of my Heavenly Father, Savior, and King. Allow me to expand my understanding.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He loves me. He feeds me. He cares for me. There is no one like Him that cares for my every need. He provides a job, a family, a home, and a place for me to toil my days – at work.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. He is Jehovah Jireh – the God who provides. He is Jehovah Rophe – the God who heals. He is Jehovah Shalom – the God of Peace. He is Jehovah Shammah – the God who is Present. The God who is here - always. The God who promises to never leave me nor forsake, Never turn His back on me. He loves me. I am His pride and joy.

He alone knows the lands of plenty, the streams of living water and life, the mountains of beauty and delight. He knows when I have walked a day, a path, or a life too long. He knows the rest I should have for the today, for tomorrow, and when this body can no longer continue on its own.

If He calls me in the night to sit with Him, I awake. I will sit and listen to His loving voice guide me into conversation with Him. In the morning His Spirit awakens me and guides me to the still waters; a brook abounding in refreshing love notes of providing, caring, giving, guiding, and sacrificing. He bids me come, drink of the living water. Refresh your body, soul, and spirit. Learn of me. Follow me with selfless abandon. Drink, for the journey will be long and hard. Drink, for today you will need the nourishment as we pass through lands filled with hatred, strife, and all manner of wickedness. Drink, and be on your guard, for the land is filled with lions seeking to kill and destroy, seeking to distract and drawy you from the presence of the Almighty Shepherd.

He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake. He died once and for all for my punishment. “Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped (held onto), but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death of the cross.” (Phil 2:5-8) He leads me down the trail of tears, down the road that leads to the cross, where I lay my worries, fears, anxieties, and self down - for his name’s sake. Drawing others to His perfect love and everlasting life.

Yea though I walk the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. O, though the path is dark and the terrors of my past haunt my every moment, and though others are slain and fall around me, I will fear no evil. My Shepherd is my guide. He is my comfort. He is my strength. He is my shelter. He is a very present help in danger. He goes before me. He walks behind me. Nothing is allowed to penetrate His loving protection, except that which will make me stronger. Though it may hurt me, though it may wound me, though it may cause me trails of tears and nights of loneliness, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. I know your abiding presence, and I know your power. For Your power is made perfect in my weakness. My moments of wanting, longing, and needing.

O, Father, continue to lead me beside the still waters where I can draw from You the gift of life; living in selfless abandon to Your Holy Spirit’s comfort, teaching, and direction for my life. May the words from my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you O God, my Father, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my King.