Freedom in the Pursuit of God’s Word – Reflections on Proverbs 7

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Janet

Our sinful natural inclination always believes it can sin and get away with it. We often know that we are doing wrong, but somehow we believe we can escape the consequences. A small sin we think we can manage and control, grows. It will grow to the point that we are under its tyrannical rule. How can I say this with such certainty? I have sinned… I have been held captive by sins that I thought I could easily say no to when I decided I had had enough. I’ve also believed that I would not suffer the consequences of my wrong choices. This is another lie. What we do in our lives, right or wrong, will bear fruit.

Solomon warned his son about this reality. He warned that sin, specifically, the sin of adultery, is enticing and the end of it is death.

”With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk… little knowing it will cost him his life.” Proverbs 7:21, 23 NIV

”Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.“ Proverbs 7:27 NIV

What are we to do in order to walk free? We must know the truth that sets us free — the Word. We are to keep the Word (to practice; to do or perform; and to obey). We are to “store up”. “Guard them,” “Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 7:1-4)

We cannot afford to be.passive in our pursuit of God’s Word. The stakes are too high.

Sin seduces and entices then it destroys. God’s Word helps us to keep our way free of sin and it’s consequences. God’s Word is LIFE!

The Way to Life- Reflections on Proverbs 6

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Janet

Good instruction and good teaching are priceless. Solomon admonishes his son to keep his command, and to “not forsake his mother’s teaching.” He encouraged his son to put them prominently before him at all times. Because his commands will illuminate his way showing the pathway to life.

”My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.”  Proverbs 6:20-23 NIV

This verse is very similar to a Psalm Solomon’s father, David wrote:

”Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.“ Psalms 119:97-98, 105 NIV

God’s Word is the BEST instruction! It is wholly and completely tried and true. In order to live a life of success, His Word needs to be ever before us. We cannot make it without God’s Word illuminating our way. The Word is “the way to life!”

Christmas — God’s Invitation to Experience Him — Luke 24

Posted on December 24, 2023 by Janet

There is something about a newborn baby being held upon your chest— the sweet smell, the warm cuddles, the tiny cries. The experience of holding your own is like none other.

At Christmas we celebrate the arrival of Jesus the newly born King and the experience of Him as He walked upon the earth 2000 — miraculous touch upon those He healed, the sound of His voice speaking the truth on a hillside, His laughter, His compassionate tears. Yes, Jesus was God’s invitation for us to experience Him!

Even in Jesus’s death we were invited to experience God — a voice crying it is finished, darkness, the earth shook, the temple veil torn. Then Jesus defeats death by His resurrection and once again the disciples were invited to experience Him.

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”“ 
Luke 24:36-39 NIV

Look at me, touch me, and see! Experience Me as the Risen King!

Jesus is still inviting us to experience God! This is the very essence of the story of Jesus we read in the Bible. It is what we celebrate at Christmas, Jesus our Emmanuel — God with us!

His invitation has been sent to us — Come, see, feel my touch, experience and know Me!

“Searching for You” – Reflections on Luke 2

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Janet

“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.””
Luke 2:48 NIV

Searching for Jesus. So many have done it and still do…

At the time that Jesus was born, the Shepherds searched for Jesus. The Wisemen searched for Him too. (Matthew 2)

Even Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus, when they lost Him on a road trip at the age of twelve. (Verses 41-51).”

At some time in our lives, we all search for Jesus. We all look for something more than the existencial life that we see. Could there be more?

Christmas is God’s answer to that question. For a moment in time, Jesus stepped into our world to show us “Yes, there is something more!” All the miraculous encounters in this chapter of Luke: angels singing, stars shining, Simeon holding Baby Jesus in the temple praising God, the prophetess Anna speaking of Jesus as the long awaited redeemer. These all pointed to that “something more.”

However, we all at some time in our lives miss Jesus. We miss seeing Him for who He truly is and knowing Him as He longs to be known.

Mary and Joseph missed the 12 year old Jesus traveling home from Jerusalem. When they searched for Him for days, they found Him in the temple. He told them He was in His “Father’s house.” They didn’t understand what He was saying to them about His “Father’s house”. Jesus had become familiar to them- their kid.

Jesus can be familiar to us too, but He wants to be so much more to us. We’ve heard about Him for years and every December we have celebrated His birth. BUT He wants to be the One we long for, and search for, the one we KNOW- intimately. We are assured that we too will find Him when we search for Him. He desires to be found.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

The New Life is a Life of Faith.

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Janet

Jesus has offered us the New Life, His own life that is abundant. The New Life is more than we could ask, think or imagine. It is His life working in us!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20 NIV

This Life is a life of faith. Faith is defined by Andrew Murray as being, “Nothing other than the certainty that what God says is true.” It is believing the truth of the Word. It understands that each and every promise in the Bible is for the one who believes, as well as each and every command. If we want to live the New Life and experience it’s fullness we must receive the Word by listening, reading, studying, memorizing, etc. Faith comes by the Word of God. We must believe it is true through faith.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 ESV

When we truly receive the New Life in Jesus, we experience His intimacy and closeness, His power to break the chains of sin off of our lives, His freedom. When we are born again we have new desires. That desire is to no longer do things our old way following ourselves, but we desire to follow God. We want to please Him. We want to OBEY! This requires Faith. It requires seeking God in His Word.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV

The New Life is a life that is a life of Faith that seeks God first. It is not a passive life. It is a pursuit! It grows as we seek God and believe what He says in His Word: The New Life of Faith!

The New Life Begins With a Seed.

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Janet

Life begins with a seed whether a plant in a garden or a baby in the womb. Life starts when the seed is placed in an environment where it can grow. The New Life of Jesus begins with a seed as well. The seed that begins the New Life is the Word of God and the environment it grows is within our hearts.

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”James 1:21 NIV

Our role is to receive or “accept the word planted” in us. The Word is supposed to grow there just as an earthly seed grows in the environment it is implanted in and fills it up completely. The Word is supposed to fill up the entirety of our Heart.

When we say to a person, “I have you in my heart.” We are saying that we hold them dear to us. We think of them often. We want to spend time with them. When we receive Jesus, the Word, into our hearts, we hold Him dear to us. We think of Him often, we want to spend time with Him. This seed of God’s Word implanted in our hearts becomes the focus of our lives. The more God’s Word grows in us the more of the New Life becomes our entire life.

God’s desire is to plant the seed of the Word in our hearts so it may grow. He wants His Word to fill us! Because He knows this is the only life that will truly satisfy us giving us His love, peace, and joy. So He comes to us asking for us to let Him fill our hearts with His Word so His New Life grows abundantly in us. The question is will we allow Him to?

May our desire be as King David’s.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 NIV

(Based off of “The New Life” by Andrew Murray)

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 12: Reading the Bible Daily Gives Us a Desired Closeness to God.

Posted on July 29, 2023 by Janet

When people are asked about the time they feel the closest to God, there are a variety of answers such as: “I feel the closest to God when I am in nature.” “… when I look at. A night sky.” “…when I hold a newborn baby.” etc…

We may feel a sense of God’s presence each of these times. Our hearts may long to know the one who created these things.

BUT there is a sure fire way to be close to God or to KNOW Him. That is to KNOW His word.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 NIV

Jesus is the Word. The Word and God are one. They are inseparable. In order to know Jesus in a close and intimate relationship we must know His Word because He speaks to us through His Word.

I’ve been hitting pretty hard the past two weeks on the point that we all need to read, study, memorize, and take in God’s Word. That is because won’t really know God until we know His Word. God has made us for relationship with Him. He longs for us to know Him because He loves us!

If we want to experience the closeness of God, we must experience the life changing power of God’s Word.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:7-10, 14 NIV

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 11: The Truth in the Bible Answers Life’s Most Basic Question, “What is My Purpose?”

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Janet

(Written specifically to my Millennial and Gen Z friends)

The Millennial’s and Gen Z’s generations combined could easily be described as the next “Lost Generation.” This title is not a new one. It described the generation who came of age during World War 1. They were described as “intellectuals and creatives” who lost faith and traditional values and ideals after witnessing the carnage and death of WW1. They were described as “hedonistic, rebellious, and aimless—“lost.””
I believe we are here once again. In your lifetime you have either witnessed or felt the effects of 9/11, a drastic increase of mass shootings, a global pandemic, and what seems to be unprecedented corruption in political arenas, etc… Life seems to be pointless…
UNLESS you know the Author of Life- God! As Creator of All, He has the right to define us and give us the knowledge of the purpose for which we have been created. This knowledge is found in our Creator’s Book, The Bible! If we are ignorant of what Scripture defines as our purpose we will live believing we are nothing more than “The Lost Generation” and our lives will reflect that sad reality. Without knowledge of the purposes of God as defined by His Word, the Bible, we truly are “aimless and lost.”
One other characteristic of “The Lost Generation” of the 1920’s that “The Lost Generation Now” shares is you are “intellectuals and creatives.” You see what is going on and want what is real. You are sick of pretending. You want the Truth!
God has declared that Truth! It is in His Word!

“Your Word is truth.” John 17:17

But you will never experience a life living in Truth if you do not engage the Bible you likely have in your home or on your phone and become intimately aware of its content.
God has created you with a purpose. It is to know Him and to make Him known. Your life will be unfulfilled and aimless until you commit yourself to pursuing your purpose!
I am attaching a song that I would encourage you to listen to. I believe it is an anthem to your generation.
True Life, with purpose, only comes in knowing God and Jesus who He sent! We come to know Him through His Word!

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

(Information on the Lost Generation from the article “The Lost Generation: Who They Are and Where The Name Came From
By Sunny Jane Morton
April 7, 2020”)

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 10:

Posted on July 26, 2023 by Janet

The Truth of the Bible is Greater Any Human Field of Science. Reading and Studying the Bible Connects Us to that Truth!
During the years of professional counseling that I went through, there were two statements made by the counselors that were dangerous to internalize.

“I don’t know what the Bible says, but I do know what science says.”
“The Bible backs up science.”
These two statements are pretty common in our culture because we have elevated Science (our human knowledge) of any kind to a higher position than God and His Word.
This is not a new sin. It actually is the original sin. The serpent tempted Eve in the garden.

““You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Science, which is defined as knowledge, has been wrong in the past when it contradicted God’s word. (Remember the general Scientific thought of Columbus’s time was the earth is flat. Disproved by Isaiah 40:22 written long before Columbus.) Science has changed as new discoveries have come along. Consider the common thoughts over the past 50 years about a human baby, “fetus”. The technology of ultrasound has given us views that discredits the Scientific thought of just a few years ago. That “scientific knowledge “ was used in support of abortion. Our laws have changed because our “scientific theories” have changed. But I can tell you God’s Word has not changed! It is always on the right side of social debates 💯 of the time!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is dangerous to build our lives on Scientific theories that discredit the Truth of the Bible. God’s Word is always first! It is also dangerous to believe that God’s Word confirms Science. Ultimately, Science will confirm God’s Word! History has proven that true!
This is why we must KNOW our Bibles (God’s Word)! There is so much bad information in our world. There is so much confusion. But only one Truth has stood the test of time, God’s Word!
When Scientific thought contradicts what the Word of God says, beware! Culturally it is more acceptable to go with Science as the ultimate authority. As believers, may it never be so with us! God’s Word is Truth! There is no other truth! God’s Word is the Way! There is no other Way!

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Bible Reading Fun Fact Day 9:

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Janet

Reading the Bible and receiving it into your heart allows the Word of God to work in you.

When we really see ourselves for what we are without God, we understand how desperate we are for God to work in our lives. From the moment we are conceived sin begins its work within us. We are all broken by its effects. We understand the truth of these words, SIN DESTROYS! Because we all have experienced the fruit of sin— our bad choices and actions. But there is something stronger than the sin that can works in our lives. It is the Word of God, the Bible. It has an opposite effect on us. It gives life! But in order for the Word to work in is we have to receive it.

“And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV

God wants to break the power of the sin working in us. But we have to receive the Word of God in order for that power to be broken.

We can call out to God in prayer and ask for Him to work in our lives and to change us and that is good! But He does that work inside of us by His Word! This is why it is imperative that we take the Word of God into us by reading the Bible, thinking on what it says throughout our day, internalizing it by memorizing it, etc. If we want the Word to work we must take it in.

I’m doing laundry right now. I could run my machine all day long, over and over on the same load, just the water. It might help a little. But if I want the clothes clean I must apply the soap.

You and I can live our lives to the best of our abilities. But if we want to experience God working in our life we must apply the WORD! May we ask ourselves, what is at work in me sin that comes naturally, or the Word that must be received and applied?

Your Love

Reflections on God’s goodness in my daily journey

Category Archives: Bible Engagement