Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- December 29, 2010
“Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked. They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” 1 Kings 12:6-7
Where can godly advice be found? The source of course is Christ, but beyond the creator of wisdom, who can be trusted to dispense counsel that represents God’s wisdom? There are godly men and women the Lord has blessed with His insights and discernment of what’s right and what’s wrong. Thus, pray for access to people with a wise heart for God.
In addition look for and engage older mentors who are not afraid to speak the truth clearly and lovingly. It may be a parent or grandparent who is seasoned in the ways of their Savior Jesus—who want you to follow His productive path. Godly advice could come from your Pastor, a wise writer, a teacher or a friend who follows Jesus Christ. Like Job, look for godly wisdom—listen to understand—then validate its legitimacy:
“Then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:27-28).
You can be surrounded by godly wisdom and miss the advantage of accessing its availability. Yes, the process of acquiring wisdom is prayerful and takes more time than just finding friends to encourage what you want to do, but the results are worth the wait. A quick decision can be expedient, but ineffective. A wise decision requires patience and is extremely effective. So, take your time—do not be rushed into regretting your decision.
For example, you can decide to serve the people you lead, or you can demand that they serve you. Godly leaders will tell you it’s not what you demand that results in long-term sustainability, but what you model in humble service. For a man it can be unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming and taking out the trash at home. For a woman it can be planning a budget and living within the budget. Godly behavior grows out of godly examples.
Paul modeled this way of life, “Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:16-17). Look for godly advice from godly people.
Avoid the temptation to dismiss those who are gifted in discerning your needs, just because you know what they will say. Truth needs repeating and when you expose your mind and heart to repetitive godly advice, God begins to penetrate your pockets of pride. The humble asks the godly for prayer and wise counsel, so stay humble and seek wisdom.
What godly example has the Lord placed in my life that I need to learn from?
Related Readings: 2 Samuel 20:14-22; Proverbs 12:15, 19:20; Romans 16:19
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Amen…….AND …….Amen
wife can plan a budget and stick to it– why are money problems always the womans fault? when it’s the husband who is always buying stuff for himself…? what do we do? Lie? Hide money?
My Friends who work in banks tell me many women clients keep separate accounts beccause thier husbands go out and blow the savings for high ticket items that are NOT needs but wants, leaving them without means to pay for car repairs, household repairs, dentist for kids,and other emergencies that do pop up!