Pastor Jesse's Blog
 
Every week, Pastor Jesse will be posting a new blog, so come back weekly and see what he has to say!
 
The Secret to Wisdom and Knowledge
Monday, July 7, 2008
 
Solomon tells us why he has written the book of Proverbs in the first few verses. “The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline…their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.” To break down the way to this kind of life Solomon tells us the secret. The answer is to acquire wisdom, understanding, and knowledge and then he even tells us what true wisdom is, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge” and he repeats it again in 9:12, “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Solomon tells us over and over to pursue wisdom more than anything else in life whether it be gold, silver, or worldly success because it will provide for you biblically defined success. This is the only success that truly satisfies. As I have read through Proverbs very quickly this year there is something that must be present in your life if you are going to acquire this wisdom. It is repeated over and over again so that we don’t miss it.

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. 3:11-12
People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray. 10:17
Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety. 11:14
To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction. 12:1
Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. 12:15
Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise. 13:10
Only a fool despises a parent's discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. 15:5
…whoever hates correction will die. 15:10
Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success. 15:22
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor. 15:31-33

Are you seeing a trend? By the way these are just a handful of the verses in this book that encourage us to seek discipline, correction, and advice. If you want to become a person who truly Fears the Lord you will, like all of us, need to have people in your life that will encourage you to pursue Godliness but who also have the right to speak correction into your life. Do you have that? So many times when someone corrects us our first response is to become defensive. I know that I do that at times. Scripture encourages us to seek people who will speak truth into our lives and it even goes so far to say that even if someone is wrongfully maliciously speaking out against you to not retaliate but to openly look into their statements just in case there is any truth to what is being said. My friend, seek the wisdom and understanding that can only come from God and in doing so you must have advisers in your life.
 
posted by jesse at 9:46 AM
 
Trust and Obey
Monday, June 9, 2008
 
Although I am still very young, 35, the older I get, the more I read scripture, the more knowledge I receive about it, the more I study it, the more I understand it, the more I meditate on it, I realize the simpler the solution to this life really is. The fact is that I love the Bible. I have been to seminary, been to many conferences, wrote many papers, read many books, read through the Bible quite a few times, preached through much of the New Testament and a few books of the Old. I do believe there are many themes to scripture but I have come to the realization that success in this life really comes down to one belief and one action. Trust God and obey (Ps. 37:3). That’s it. As I read through Psalms this year that is really what almost every Psalm is singing about. Here are some of the verses I have read from the last few mornings.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” 20:7
“For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.” 21:7
“Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” 31:19
“The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory — for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.” 33:16-18 (Essentially, only God can save)
“Trust in the LORD and do good.” 37:3 (This is the key to life)
“I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart.” 34:2 (Boast means confidence. Essentially he is saying he will only put his confidence in the Lord)
“Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again my Savior and God.” 42:5; 11; 43:5
“Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. It is you who gives us victory over our enemies.” 44:5-7
49:16-20 essentially says that wicked people may be rich and may seem that they are living the good life. But they will take nothing with them to the grave and although this life may seem long, they will face what they sowed in this life for eternity. The point is as it says in Ps. 37:1, “Don't worry about the wicked. Don't envy those who do wrong.” God will work it out for he is just and right.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” 46:10

My friends, this is what it is all about. Do you really trust God? Here is how it works for me. I ask myself, “Do I believe that God is sovereign, meaning completely in control.” The answer is yes. Then I ask, “Do I believe that God is good, meaning do I believe that God will allow or do what is best in all circumstances for the kingdom of God and for me.” The answer again is yes. So what is the problem? It is hard for all of us because although I totally believe that God is sovereign and good I also know that the best way that he produces what he wants in us is often through difficulty. Now, that I don’t like. So what am I to do? In all circumstances I am to trust that God is in complete control and working in my life what is best for me and the Kingdom of God and obey his commands through the difficulty. That, although simplistic, can be one of the most difficult things to do in life. But, I promise it is the most fulfilling life to live here on earth and with out a doubt the most rewarding for eternity.
 
posted by jesse at 2:13 PM
 
Stand Firm
Monday, June 2, 2008
 
In my devotional time today I came across one of my favorite Psalms ever. I will ask you the same question that I ask myself. Do you really want to stand firm for the Lord? If the answer is yes, David shares with us in Psalm 15 what it will take.


Those who lead blameless lives
and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.
Those who despise persistent sinners,
and honor the faithful followers of the LORD
and keep their promises even when it hurts.
Those who do not charge interest on the money they lend,
and who refuse to accept bribes to testify against the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever. Psalm 15:2-5

I would encourage you if you truly want to stand firm for God in this ungodly culture to take seriously this charge. Prayerfully ask God to help you achieve these characteristics in your life. You can’t do it by yourself. For the next five days just take one Godly attribute and try to work on it that day.

Day 1: Do what is right in situations that you are tempted to do otherwise.
Day 2: Speak truth from your heart
Day 3: Refuse to gossip
Day 4: Keep your promises even if it hurts. One translation says, “keep your promises even if it ruins you.”
Day 5: Be generous

Don’t forget to ask the Lord for help.
 
posted by jesse at 2:51 PM
 
What is the Answer to Suffering?
Monday, May 19, 2008
 
Job is one of the most famous stories in all of scripture mainly because of the theme, suffering. Anytime a pastor wants to teach on difficulty it seems as though they will preach from Job or at least address the book. Interestingly enough the book of Job is 42 chapters long yet I have never heard a sermon series on Job lasting more than a couple of weeks. I guess the point that I am making is that when dealing with suffering there really isn’t one perfect easy answer to solve our difficulties. The book of Job is very long, very intense, and the answer in the end to all the difficulties that Job faced was essentially; “who are you to question me? I am the God of the universe. I am good and I am in control. I created the heavens and the earth. I created you. It is impossible for you to understand my actions so…here’s the answer… trust me.” I don’t know about you but I have a lot of questions about the book of Job. I will only share a few. First of all, why did it take over 42 chapters to say that and secondly is that really the answer to dealing with suffering.

As I have studied and meditated on this book many times I have come to realize that most of the book of Job excluding the first chapter and last 4 chapters is incorrect human reasoning for suffering. The interesting thing to me is that some will argue that the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible yet they are asking the same questions about suffering that we ask today. I think it is good for us to read these chapters because I think all of us at times have acquired quite a few of these incorrect thoughts about suffering. Secondly, I have come to the conclusion that the answer really is that easy. Trust God. As cliché as that sounds that is truly the answer to all difficulties. God is in complete control and he is good. That means that whatever happens has either been caused by God or he has allowed it. There are some tragic stories that we could all share that make this answer difficult but in the end God is good and he is in control. That means because his thoughts are much higher than ours and he is continually thinking eternally so whatever happens has happened for the believer’s good and the advancement of the Kingdom of God even if it makes absolutely no sense to us. Do you truly trust God? I believe that it is true that hardship in life is the test tube for our faith. It is in those times that we find out how much we truly trust God. It is in these times that we are obviously not experiencing what we are praying for, we are uncomfortable, hurting, and wondering why God won’t either relent or step in to do something. But the reality is we don’t know what God is doing. Who knows, Satan may have gone to God and said “the only reason ‘your name here’ is such a faithful servant of yours is because they have it easy.” God’s response may have been, “I believe your wrong, so…go ahead and see if ‘your name here’ will stay faithful. But I will not allow you to attack ‘your name here’ more than they can bear.” God may be using you as an example of faithfulness to the spiritual world. I don’t think Job ever found out about the discussion between Satan and God in chapter 1 until he entered God’s presence in eternity. So again, I ask you, do you truly trust God? The answer to your suffering isn’t a magic formula. In fact, the reality is that you may never be released from it until you enter eternity. But I promise you God is using it for your good and the good of the Kingdom of God. So the answer to your difficulty is, “At this terrible news…Job fell to the ground in worship…and in all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God with wrongdoing.

I know that it’s easier said than done but the only thing that will get you through your suffering regardless if you are delivered from it or not is to worship God. Trust Him my friend. God is doing something bigger in your life than you can see.
 
posted by jesse at 10:05 AM
 
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