Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7 (ESV) Wisdom is like pride or humility, if we think we have them, we probably don't! What we think of ourselves doesn't matter so much as what God thinks of us. We face death, and after that, the judgement. God is our Judge, which is a fearsome thought. We're to humble ourselves before Him and to seek His mercy for our evil folly. Thankfully, the Fearsome LORD is also the Saviour of those who come to Him in sincere faith. The fear of the LORD may be the beginning of wisdom, but the love of God is the heart of wisdom. He is fearsome, but more profoundly, He's loving. We love because He first loved us. Christ died for evil sinners like me. Therefore we must turn away from evil. Instead, we should turn to Him and to follow Him all the days of our lives, until He calls us home. 'Fearsome LORD, please forgive our foolish evil. may we fear You and be humble, for Your glory, amen'.

 Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unploughed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NIV) Hosea was married to an unrighteous woman. Their marriage was a picture of God's relationship with His people. We are unrighteous by nature. God doesn't give up on us. We reap what we sow. So God calls us to sow righteousness and to reap the fruit of unfailing love. We need to be honest with God about our unrighteousness. We need to seek Him and His righteousness to be credited to our bankrupt spiritual accounts. We're not to be self-righteous. Religious people try and earn God's acceptance. Spiritual people realise that we are accepted by seeking after God and His kingdom and His righteousness. We need to get our priorities right and put God before our physical needs. 'LORD, we seek after You. Thank You for Christ's promises that if we seek the gift of Yo...

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV) The law came through Moses, but grace and truth come through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus raises the bar higher than Moses. Moses told us to love our neighbours; Jesus told us to love our enemies. Anyone can love their neighbours, that's no big deal. To love our enemies however is divine. When He was crucified for our sins, Jesus prayed, 'Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they do'. Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. He asks the impossible of us. Yet nothing is impossible for Him. When we're persecuted, our good reaction is to try and defend ourselves and to strike back. Jesus calls us to pray for our persecutors. This takes much more strength than to simply lash out. 'Dear Lord, please help us to be defined by love, not just for ou...

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 (ESV) God doesn't want us to be afraid. He metaphorically holds our hands. Spiritually, He's there for us.  To help someone is humbling. A help is a servant. A helper has to stoop down to get alongside the one they're helping. The Lord isn't so proud as to be unwilling to help us. He's gentle, lowly and happy to help. He's powerful and able to assist in whatever we're going through. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He's eternally faithful to help us with the salvation we need. He'll never let us down. 'LORD our God, please hold us by the right hand spiritually. Help us not to be afraid, but to trust in You to come through for us, in the powerful name of Jesus we pray, amen'.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 (ESV) God is great, although it doesn't really need religion to tell us that. We can see echoes of His greatness in the heavens and in the earth. All He had to do was to speak it all into existence. The Lord is omnipotent, He's all powerful. His word has power. He's glorious and worthy of universal worship. The victory is God's. Christ has even defeated our final enemy of death. Nothing can separate us from His love. The Kingdom is God's. It's not ours. He's the One who is exalted as head above all. 'O LORD, You are great, powerful, glorious, victorious, majestic and exalted, and we worship You, for You are worthy of our praise, now and forevermore, amen'.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV) Life is a spiritual battle. Satan wants to drag us down to hell with him. God wants to deliver us, and has made deliverance possible through Christ crucified; we just have to believe. The deliverance God offers is received by faith. The devil tries to destroy our faith in Jesus, but we need to fight the good fight of the faith. God calls all of His people to enjoy eternal life. It's not just 'pie in the sky when we die'. We can enjoy it right here and now as we trust in Christ. Timothy was appointed as a pastor/elder/Bible teacher by the Apostle Paul. He gave his testimony in front of many witnesses. Paul urged him not to give up, even if he was tempted to do so. 'Father God, please give us the gift of faith and help us to fight spiritually against the spiritual forces of evil. Than...

 1 Samuel 2:2 There is none holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God. ESV Hannah knew that the LORD is the One True God, whether He gave her a son or not. In His grace He answered her prayer with Samuel. She responded with prayer and praise. No one is holy like the LORD. He is set apart in His righteousness. I'm reminded of Isaiah who witnessed the angels declaring that God is thrice holy; the whole earth is full of His glory. Not only is the LORD holy, but He calls us to be holy as well. By His Holy Spirit this is possible. He can transform us from sinners to saints. There is no rock like our God. 'On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand'. Anything and everything else will let us down, but not the Faithful One. 'Sovereign, Faithful God, we worship You for Your beautiful holiness. Please wash us clean in the blood of the Lamb, and sanctify us by Your Spirit inspired word. In Your Son's name we pray, ...

 I heard a shockingly insensitive discussion about the Californian wildfires out in the public by a couple of strangers. They described them as 'cosmic karma' for rich people getting what they deserved. I suspect it's common for poor people to assume that it's wrong to be rich, but is it really? Jesus famously told the rich young man to sell everything and follow Him. Is that necessary for every rich person? I'm not sure it is. Jesus knew that for that particular young man, riches were his barrier to faith.  In fact, Jesus went as far as to say that it's harder for the rich to enter His kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.  Surely then it's wrong to be rich? Not necessarily, because Jesus went on in context to say that what's impossible for us is possible for us. By implication, it's possible for rich people to go to heaven. The Bible doesn't simplistically say that being rich is wrong. It doesn't even say that money is...

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8 (ESV) There's ten commandments, not nine. Because most of us aren't Jewish, most of us are tempted to disregard the Sabbath. Yet at it's heart, this commandment is about taking time to rest. We're not robots. We're not machines. We need to take time to rest. Even God Himself, who doesn't need to rest, rested on the seventh day of creation to set us a blueprint for our times. This commandment isn't burdensome, it's for our good. We're not to get legalistic, Pharisaical and Seventh Day Adventist about the Sabbath. Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, which was made for our good. We weren't made to bend over backwards to keep legalistic restrictions. 'Lord our God, we thank You for being our Sabbath rest from striving to earn our acceptance with You. Please help us to take time to rest physically from the labours of the week. For Your honour we pray, amen'.

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 (NLT) Taken in isolation, this seems a nice verse. In the context it's rather uncomfortable. Contextually, Jesus is talking about confronting sin. If we're to confront sin, we're to start off one to one. If that doesn't work we're to take along one or two others. If that doesn't work it has to be taken to the whole church. If that doesn't work, it's excommunication. Excommunication sounds like something out of a horror film or a cult or something. Basically though, if someone claims to follow Jesus, they have to live like it. If not, they have to be kicked out of the community of faith. Even excommunication doesn't have to be final. It's more like a marital separation than a divorce. The aim is for restoration: the excommunicated person will hopefully be shamed into repenting and seeking to be restored to fellowship. 'Lord God Almighty, we thank You ...

 At the moment, my regular devotionals are based on the YouVersion verses of the days. I'm a bit late to mention daily reading Bible plans, as many people start them on January 1st, but if you want a recommendation, I would suggest 'Through the Bible in a Year' by ESV.org/Crossway publishers. You don't need to read the ESV Bible translation to follow it, but if you want to follow it online you have to subscribe to the website for free online.  It takes you through the Old Testament, and Psalms and the New Testament twice in a year. So you start in Genesis, Psalms and Matthew and work your way through, returning to Psalm 1 and Matthew 1 at the beginning of July. I have a paper copy of this Bible which enables you to easily trace where you're up to, although it was out of print last time I checked, other similar editions may be available. I like how you're always in the Psalms and the three daily readings. I've used the M'Cheyne reading plan before, but th...

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) If we belong to Jesus, life won't be easy for us. We'll be persecuted. We'll be tempted to give up. The Apostle Paul urges us not to be shaken. We're to stand firm. As he says in Ephesians six, we're also to clothe ourselves with the armour of God. God doesn't want lukewarm followers. We're to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. We're to be good witnesses for Him. Our entire lives are to be lived for the glory of God. We're to honour Him in everything we do, not just at church for an hour on a Sunday morning. 'Lord our God, please help us to stand firm and not to be shaken by all that would assail us. May we be wholehearted in working for You, knowing that it won't be in vain. For Your honour and praise, amen'.

Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him. John 9:37-38 (NIV) The blind man saw. The 'insightful' religious people were spiritually blind. What an irony! Jesus made the blind man to see, not just physically, but spiritually. Who can make the blind to see, except God alone? The Lord Jesus is God become a man. Physical health isn't our greatest need. One day we will die. Spiritual health is most important because we have eternal souls which will reside in heaven or hell for eternity. The blind man saw that Jesus is Lord, and he worshipped Him. That's what we should all do. We don't need to emulate the religious bigwigs. We need to emulate the blind man who is healed. 'Heavenly Father, please help us to worship Your Son and to receive the spiritual insight that He brings. In His name we pray, amen'

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. Acts 8:35 (ESV) When sharing the good news about Jesus, it's best to start where people are at. The Ethiopian eunuch had come to Jerusalem in search of the truth. He'd picked up a copy of Isaiah, but not coming from a Jewish background, he was finding it hard to interpret. In the providence of God, Philip came along, spurred by the Holy Spirit. The Ethiopian was reading about one oppressed and afflicted, but who didn't open His mouth: He was led like a Lamb to the slaughter. Philip was able to explain that Isaiah wasn't referring to Himself, but to the Lord Jesus Christ. We don't need to begin with Isaiah. We don't even need to begin with Genesis or the Old Testament. We can start with the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will give us the words to say and the opportunity to say them if we belong to Him. If we are followers of Christ, we are also...

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:21 (ESV) If we're truthful, we're transparent. We have integrity. We're spiritually bright. If we do good works in spirit and in truth, we won't be arrogant about it. We'll know it's a work of God through us that means we're righteous. As Habakkuk says, 'the righteous shall live by faith' (in Christ crucified). Jesus is the Light of the world. All who are on the side of truth listen to Him. If, like Pilate, we dismissively ask what truth is without stopping to hear the answer, we're hopeless. Jesus is the Truth of God personified. If we want to know what's good, right and true in life, we need to come to Him. He will empower us to do the right things. 'Glorious Lord, please help us to be truthful and bright, even as we trust in You. May we do what You would have us to do, for Your glory, amen'

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:47 (ESV) How do we know if Christ has forgiven us? We know Christ has forgiven us if we are filled with love for Him. We should love Jesus extravagantly like the sinful woman who wasn't ashamed of reproach for her devotion to Christ. It needs to be clarified that our love for Jesus doesn't earn His forgiveness. His forgiveness comes first. Our love is a fruit of His forgiveness. Simon the Pharisee didn't think he needed forgiveness so much. Maybe he would admit he wasn't perfect, but he wouldn't like to define himself as a sinner. Yet we've all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Religious people delude themselves they're good enough for God. Sinners know they're not good enough for God, and seek His forgiveness. God loves people to be honest with Him. 'Gracious God, please forgive us our sins and help us to be ...

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (ESV) What must we do to be saved from the condemnation we deserve from God? Peter gives the answer here. We need to repent of our preconceived notions of trying to earn God's acceptance. Water baptism isn't essential for salvation, but baptism in the Holy Spirit is. Holy Spirit baptism isn't a 'second blessing'. We get baptised in the Holy Spirit the moment we trust in the Lord Jesus. Our sins can be forgiven. All the bad things we've ever done, that put the sinless Christ on the cross, can be washed away in His blood. God doesn't want to hold our sins against us. God freely gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. There isn't two tiers of Christians. There isn't the Spirit filled ones and the bog standard ones. 'Lord God, we ...

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV) The Apostle Paul wasn't a people pleaser. His priority was God's approval. If that made him enemies, then so be it. The Galatian church was being deceived that they needed to become Jewish to be properly Christian. Jesus wasn't enough, they were being told, circumcision was necessary. Paul was strident in his opposition to such teaching. Paul wasn't a flatterer. He told the Galatians that false teachers are accursed and satanic. He wasn't there to serve the Galatians primarily, but Christ the Lord. Our priority is our relationship with God. If that is right, everything else will fall into place. God should come first, and then we will love people all we ought. 'Heavenly Father, please help us to prioritise Your service, not that of people. May we be faithful to Your gospel, in the name o...

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (ESV) We're essentially animated clay. We easily become conformed to the world's mould. If we do, we face an eternity in hell. The Apostle Paul urges us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. We need God to give us a new perspective. If we are conformed to this world, we're doomed. If we're transformed for the next life, we're safe for eternity. God doesn't spell His will out to us. He gives us principles in Scripture, but He expects us to use our minds to test what His specific will may be. His will is never for us to sin, but always to be defined by love of Him and of other people. Say for example someone's out of work. God's will for them if they're able is that they work. That is good and acceptable and perfect...

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV) There's no point living in the past. We shouldn't allow ourselves to be defined by past sins. God can make our desert souls come alive with the water of life, the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus gifts us with His Holy Spirit, who pours from us to bless others too. Like a wilderness that becomes a meadow, we can bless others. Whatever the past as held, the future can be bright if we trust in the God who holds the future. We might not know the future. Yet we can know the One who holds the future. We don't need to fear what this year might hold, because God will look after us if we belong to Him. Isaiah was writing to a nation that would be taken captive by the Babylonian Empire. Yet even that catastrophic event wasn't the end of the st...