Tag: Guidance

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Counsel Belongs to God 


“Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite. The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse; so they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri the Danite.) They put him in custody until the will of the Lord should be made clear to them.” Leviticus 24:10–12,  NIV

What is your first response in decision-making? How do your emotions influence your reactions? Does worry, doubt, anxiousness, or anger cause you to make hasty decisions? In today’s Scripture, we read that a young Israelite boy curses the Name of God, which is against the Ten Commandments. It is evident that the boy has committed a sin, but the Israelites do not take action into their own hands. How the people handle the matter is essential and worth reflecting on. Verse 12 states, “They put him in custody until the Will of the Lord should be made clear to them.”

Even though the boy’s actions were against the law, Moses and the Israelites did not decide his fate until counsel from the Lord. What a profound and applicable action for our lives today. How many times do we make decisions without counsel from the Lord? How often have our thoughts and actions caused adverse results physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, financially, or relationally for ourselves and those around us? Having discernment is very important in our Christian journey. In every situation, good or bad, we must seek God’s Will and counsel. 

“The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it, But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.” Proverbs 15:14 AMP

“First seek the counsel of the Lord.” 1 Kings 22:5, NIV

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15: 22, NIV

As I reflect on the original text, I’m reminded of a lesson discussed in Bible study at church. I learned the value of staying connected and up-to-date with Jesus Christ because my daily relationship and counsel with Him will decrease the number of problems in my life. Daily seeking God will help us to develop a level of wisdom and discernment to make better decisions. Meditation on just this simple verse, “They put him in custody until the Will of the Lord should be made clear to them (Leviticus 24:10–12 NIV)” helped me to recognize the value of “God’s counsel” for my present and future decisions.   

Thus, I look to the counsel of the Lord when it comes to my marriage, raising our children, family situations, work environment and associations, friendships, health, and finances. In all circumstances, we must seek to gain proper perspective and counsel from God. 

Therefore, whatever the decision or problem you are facing today, seek the counsel of the Lord first. God will always make your path straight and His Will established! 

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 NIV

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity and ability to seek your knowledge and counsel when making decisions. I ask for your wisdom, understanding, and discernment to move in your Will for my life because You know best. May the Glory of God be revealed in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen~

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Prune or Cut Down

Today, after nineteen years of living in our home, we had our last sun-blocking tree cut down in the backyard. What was once an ordinary size tree had now become a gigantic, overgrown, problematic tree.

The tree had grown so tall and broad that the limbs were hanging over the roof, and what used to provide welcoming shade had become a homeowner’s nightmare.

According to the professionals, the tree caused a moist bearer on the roof’s back side due to the hanging limbs, which also damaged the gutters and wood in that same area. Ouch! Something else to repair!

But as I thought about the damage the tree caused, God redirected my thinking toward life circumstances and relationships. God revealed to me that relationships and even life, in general, are like our overgrown tree. We have small problems that we do not address, and over time (years), that problem gets bigger and bigger, such as our tree.

However, when the issue gets out of hand, we decide it’s time to do something. Instead of fixing the problem when it’s a molehill, we wait until it becomes a mountain.

Our tree had become a problem for us. It was too large, hanging on the roof, damaging the wood, gutters, and shingles. The tree had grown passed my husband’s desire to cut himself.

Instantly God said, “What about life, relationships, work?”

Relationship problems! Are you seeking professional help to end your marriage?

Work conflict! Are you looking for another job?

Health issues! Are you still avoiding the idea of exercising?

Have your problems become greater than you’d like to handle?   

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

But what about pruning our issue? I said to my husband, “Why don’t we prune the tree? It’s a beautiful tree that provides a lot of shade for the patio!”

So I ask, could you prune your issue instead of cutting it down? What do you prune I asked God? He said, “Your pride, ego, selfishness, inability to listen, compromise, or use self-control!”

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV

What about professional help to heal your marriage?

What about searching for personal accountability in your workplace conflict?

What about changing the way you eat and start exercising a couple of days a week?

Cutting down your issue may not always be the best option. But if we ask God for His help and guidance through the Holy Spirit, He will help us correctly prune our problems individually and collectively, so we look like the body of Christ!

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalms 32:8 NIV

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV

So, if at all possible, try to look at your problem with pruning eyes. What self-work can you do internally, demonstrating it externally!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

In the Awesome, Mighty name of Jesus Christ! ~ Amen