S) "2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly."
Proverbs 15:2 (NASB)
O) Just because the knowledge is good, doesn't mean people will want to accept it. Enter, the #JesusJuke. The term "Jesus Juke" was something coined by one of my favorite contemporary Christian authors, Jon Acuff and it describes that form of correcting some one, when the conversation is light and maybe trivial, but some one comes in with something super-serious about Jesus/God. For example, "I haven't had a chance to eat yet today, and I'm so hungry!" and the #JesusJuke reply would be, "Oh really, because I bet Jesus was more hungry than that when He fasted for 40 days." And so, this Scripture is exemplified in today's world. Just because it's true, doesn't mean it will be accepted. It needs to be presented with wisdom, or it won't be received.
A) So, as a teenager, per the advice of my youth pastor, I started reading a chapter of Proverbs every night. I'm quite sure that I missed several nights, but the important thing is that I started to accept the fact that wisdom is just too important to miss. So, I started asking God for more wisdom. I would pray that very regularly. As I've discussed before, though, my wisdom was unfocused. Now, don't get me wrong, it's still good to ask for more wisdom, but it needs to be specifically applied, because some things are certainly more important than others, where wisdom is involved. So here, I want God's wisdom, but I want it for a specific purpose. My priorities in life are, and in this order, 1) my salvation, 2) Kristin's salvation, 3) the salvation of my children, 4) everything else. That is to say, if I am to lead and teach my children (and to a lesser-needed extent, Kristin), then I must have wisdom in how I deliver the information. I must be giving my children knowledge about God that is receivable, acceptable, able to be seen as good.
P) Father, Your grace and goodness to me are without measure. You gave me wisdom when I needed wisdom and Your instruction never left me. Please Father, increase my wisdom now, in how I teach my children Your ways. Let me find the right ways to show them Your justice, mercy, righteousness, and blessings. I want them to see that a lifetime serving and worshiping and honoring You is. the. best. life.! Holy Spirit, continue to rebuke me when I make mistakes. When I am leading my family with a fool's mouth, discipline my lips and remove my folly from me and do not let my careless words make the impression they could. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) So, as a teenager, per the advice of my youth pastor, I started reading a chapter of Proverbs every night. I'm quite sure that I missed several nights, but the important thing is that I started to accept the fact that wisdom is just too important to miss. So, I started asking God for more wisdom. I would pray that very regularly. As I've discussed before, though, my wisdom was unfocused. Now, don't get me wrong, it's still good to ask for more wisdom, but it needs to be specifically applied, because some things are certainly more important than others, where wisdom is involved. So here, I want God's wisdom, but I want it for a specific purpose. My priorities in life are, and in this order, 1) my salvation, 2) Kristin's salvation, 3) the salvation of my children, 4) everything else. That is to say, if I am to lead and teach my children (and to a lesser-needed extent, Kristin), then I must have wisdom in how I deliver the information. I must be giving my children knowledge about God that is receivable, acceptable, able to be seen as good.
P) Father, Your grace and goodness to me are without measure. You gave me wisdom when I needed wisdom and Your instruction never left me. Please Father, increase my wisdom now, in how I teach my children Your ways. Let me find the right ways to show them Your justice, mercy, righteousness, and blessings. I want them to see that a lifetime serving and worshiping and honoring You is. the. best. life.! Holy Spirit, continue to rebuke me when I make mistakes. When I am leading my family with a fool's mouth, discipline my lips and remove my folly from me and do not let my careless words make the impression they could. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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