OK - I hope you are all well into the first three chapters of Proverbs!
The study guide asks a question on Page 22 that I would be interested in hearing some of your responses. "What is the main way you would like to see your life change as a result of studying Proverbs?"
What's your answer to that? No right or wrongs on this one....just what change do you hope to see?
For me, I would like to gain more of God's wisdom and then be more confident that I am living in His wisdom, every day, avoiding the errors of my ways. So far, I've learned that I must humble myself and admit that God's ways are always better than mine, surrender to Him, and let Him direct my paths. But also, I have to be a determined seeker...I need to make gaining God's wisdom my passion, just as if I were told, "there's gold in those hills!" and would set off with my pick or my pan determined to find the mother lode! We have been told there IS treasure within God's Word...we should be excited about the prospect of finding such valuable treasure that money can never buy.
So what's your reason for being in Proverbs today? PLEASE, come on and comment!! If you're trying and can't get it done, e-mail me and I'll post for you! ( janicehodges1356@gmail.com ) --- I really want this study to be interactive, it's just as important for you to share your ideas as it is for me to share mine!
Loving God's Word and hoping this Saturday morning finds you in love with Him and enjoying this beautiful day!
In His Amazing Love,
Janice
The study guide asks a question on Page 22 that I would be interested in hearing some of your responses. "What is the main way you would like to see your life change as a result of studying Proverbs?"
What's your answer to that? No right or wrongs on this one....just what change do you hope to see?
For me, I would like to gain more of God's wisdom and then be more confident that I am living in His wisdom, every day, avoiding the errors of my ways. So far, I've learned that I must humble myself and admit that God's ways are always better than mine, surrender to Him, and let Him direct my paths. But also, I have to be a determined seeker...I need to make gaining God's wisdom my passion, just as if I were told, "there's gold in those hills!" and would set off with my pick or my pan determined to find the mother lode! We have been told there IS treasure within God's Word...we should be excited about the prospect of finding such valuable treasure that money can never buy.
So what's your reason for being in Proverbs today? PLEASE, come on and comment!! If you're trying and can't get it done, e-mail me and I'll post for you! ( janicehodges1356@gmail.com ) --- I really want this study to be interactive, it's just as important for you to share your ideas as it is for me to share mine!
Loving God's Word and hoping this Saturday morning finds you in love with Him and enjoying this beautiful day!
In His Amazing Love,
Janice
5 comments:
Comments received via e-mail that I'm sharing with all:
From Ann Lynch: I had company twice last week. I am going to Lubbock tomorrow to help my sister. She just had her second surgery on her knee. The first surgery left a lot of scar tissue and they had to take care of that. Her husband travels during the week so I need to go help her. I have done the lesson in the book but haven’t had time to read the blog. Maybe I can do it in Lubbock. Thanks for doing this. I hope to do better after this. Don’t give up on us.
JH: I'm not ever giving up, Ann!! I know there's lots going on in the summer and fully expect everyone to have times that they are away. Thanks for letting me know and I hope your sister continues in her recovery. Bet she loves having you as her nurse! :)
From Lota Taylor: I made a comment, but I’m not sure it went thru. I love the study!
JH: May have been one that came through as "Anonymous" without a name in the text. Glad you're enjoying the study!
From Rhonne Gary: I am participating and have the book. I think the thing that has struck me the most is the word AWE. In my Bible I have that word out beside v7 in having fear of the Lord being the beginning of understanding. I am reading the book AWE by Paul David Tripp and if anyone hasn't read it, it is a MUST read. God has created us with an "awe" capacity and we just don't recognize HIS hand in every aspect of our life. I want it to be my lifelong pursuit and to spend more time gazing upon all HE has done in my life and the world around me. Hope these are the kind of thoughts you were wanting.
JH: EXACTLY the kind of thoughts, Rhonne. I love hearing how God is showing you more of Him in every aspect of your life...He is ready to show us so much more than we have allowed ourselves to become comfortable with, I believe. Throw the doors wide open to HIM!
From Rhonda Greathouse: Janice, I have started my study. I really like it.
JH: Glad you've started - glad you like it. I think this guide puts us directly into Scripture and makes us look at things closely for ourselves. Let me know one of your discoveries!
I finally got started and it's very good so far. Love 1:7. We have to begin with the fear of the Lord. I've always thought that fear is more reverence of his holiness than fright, although in the Exodus passage they were clearly afraid. What is your opinion?
Debbie
I think we may have softened our view of "the fear of God" a little too much at times. When Jesus says in Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell", He is referring to God. To me, the fear of God begins with an absolute understanding that there is no one with more authority and power than God, and we need to tremble knowing that He alone holds our eternal future. Just as Moses said in Exodus, the fear of God should keep us from sinning. I look at it as respect to the ultimate degree. Much like we "feared" our earthly fathers because they held authority over us and we knew they would discipline us if we countered that authority...it wasn't just the fear of the punishment, it was the fear of disappointing them and knowing that we had behaved in a way that they didn't approve of. Understanding the fear of God, also contributes to us then understanding the love of God...that He, the One with absolute authority and power over our eternal future, is also the One who grants us grace and mercy through Jesus Christ to secure our eternal future. He has the power to condemn, but He offers salvation.
Well, that was probably more than you wanted! Let me know what you think about that...and others jump in as well if you have thoughts on this matter.
Definitely not more than I wanted. 👍 Excellent thoughts!
I read in a commentary that fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The fear of the Lord is not a sense of terror but of reverence, in other words, it is a deep sense of who God is and who we are in relation to him. It is a deep understanding that God is the creator, sustainer, savior, judge, and owner of the whole universe. The Psalmist explains, "The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Fearing the Lord, then takes the form of trust: trust in God's faithfulness to his promises as creator, redeemer, savior, and judge.
I feel like the fear of the Lord is out of respect and knowledge that he has made the best plan for us and we should do what he instructs us to do in order to have a life after this one. He has earned our respect and love and he holds our future in his hands. We fear the Lord out of a sense of reverence.
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