Hello friends,
Here's a life-building idea for us to put into practice: Read and apply PROVERBS to our lives. I'm calling it the Proverbs Pathway - finding your way God's way. Here's the first installment.
"The waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them, but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:32,33
These two verses are God's answer to simple-minded gullibility, self-destructive complacency, hard-headed deafness, constant danger to self, repeated distress and ever-present fear. Let's break down some transforming truths:
#1 - God reveals His will in Scripture to prevent a wayward life. Some of us go waaayyyyy off because of the world's enticements, illusions, false promises, ego-stroking schemes and alluring temptations. But why do these tactics work? Gullibility! This defines the word "simple" in verse 32 and means to be easily duped, taken in. The end result is not good - waywardness steals and kills life. But Jesus brings us wayward ones hope! What did Jesus say? "I am the way…"
#2 - God calls us to break the grip of complacency. Jesus said, "Follow me." A frustrated person can quickly become complacent. Frustration can lead to foolishness. The foolish mind sees God darkly through his or her problems. The freed-up mind sees his or her problems through God! Frustrated, foolish thinking is self-destructive. When Jesus Christ makes a way for you in your world He begins with the powerful statement/command: "Have faith in God." Faith in God creates vision and optimism for today and tomorrow. Read Mark 11:22-25!
#3 - When God speaks we should listen - in order to live. Are you a good listener? Do you listen to God? His voice is heard in His Word - the mighty Bible. You hear him with "spiritual ears" - ears of the heart, mind, soul and spirit. Deafness is tragic. Other deafening voices in the world will lead you astray and take you away from God's presence and your potential. Verse 33 says to listen in order to live safely, defeat stress, overcome the phobias that push you around and pull your chains. With Christ, the fearless one, you can conquer your fear and live in harmony, not harm's way. Read and apply all of Proverbs 1 and see what I mean.
Jesus is standing in your way on purpose because He loves you. He says to you here and now, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
What are you going to do now? Now that you know? Don't be gullible, be godly.
In His love,
Chuck Brannon, Pastor
