Found Lacking Wisdom in the Sight of God

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As I read this passage from Matthew 11... three of these verses spoken by Jesus stood out from the rest.

The first verse:

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]."

The second verse:

“To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,”

Note that "generation" is a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, and character.

The third verse:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, ‘Look! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners [including non-observant Jews]!’ Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated by her deeds [in the lives of those who respond to Me].””

MATTHEW11:12, 16, 19

So I started journaling

The kingdom of heaven is under violent assault yet people act like children.... They do not know the times in which they live. They have no real discernment.  They lack restraint.  They act like they don’t have any accountability for their actions.

People calling to each like "group" of children in the market place... "playing games".

They are always trying to be justified and vindicated by their peers for how they want to be seen ... and whatever they want and do.  They judge by mere appearances.  They are not free from the sinful wants that steer put downs and enticing words from their lips.  They compare based on what they value in their own little group... but will their judgments mean anything when they stand before God?  

They are not wise or cleaver in the sight of God.  Why value the opinions of such people more then God? They are like a wildflower in a field. Here today gone tomorrow.  They cannot see what is right in front of them.  They put down God to His face.

People's opinions matter very little when it comes to God.  John The Baptist, did he play to whatever tune people wanted him to play?  No He did not.  He spoke whatever God had him speak.  He did whatever God had him do.  He was not sway like a reed by every breath of wind.  He was not afraid to speak the truth and did not deny me when pressed, even with the earthly consequences that ended in his beheading by the wicked.

To put hope, trust and reverence in God, above all things, that is wisdom and life and life eternal.  People who lack wisdom act like spoiled children.  They act like the world, which is full of hypocrisy, stubbornness, selfishness, foolishness, pride, deceit, and lust of power.  They war and violently assault what they don’t care to understand.  They war against life itself for what, for things that will perish and come to nothing?  They care more about the love of the world then the everlasting love of the Father.

This has caused much unrest in people's lives.

The “generation” that disregards God's word publicly shows its filthy ignorance, immaturity and their path to destruction.

Wisdom comes from God not our own understanding... Wisdom works when you fear God and follow Him.  Wisdom works when you actually listen and respond to God.

The fact is a child who has faith in God has more wisdom flowing through them then those who act as the world does that controlled by Satan.  (Powerful)

In the passage Jesus denounces certain cities and their destruction for not turning to God.  These were cities he did the most miracles in...

They did not have wisdom to see God's goodness and mercy. They took it for granted.

Then Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””

Matthew 11:25-30

This is wisdom... This is the remedy for living in a world that lacks wisdom.  This is the healthy alternative... to help us to stand firmly, securely and peaceful in God.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3  

They could have the kingdom of heaven if they just would submit and see their need for God.

EXPECTATION

HE WILL COME AGAIN, NOT TO DEAL WITH OUR SIN, BUT TO BRING SALVATION TO ALL WHO ARE EAGERLY WAITING FOR HIM.  Hebrews 9:28

 When I read passages like this, I think this is a reminder to us as Christians, "Are we ready?"

Are those we know aware that the LORD is coming back and isn't slow in His coming but wants people to turn to Him to be saved?

Yes scoffers will scoff but our love for them should be greater/

They see it. Everyone sees how dark the world is becoming.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back like a thief in the "night".  Yes the night... because the world lives in darkness.

Like the days of Noah... Unexpectedly disaster will come.


"Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near." Matthew 24:28

Jesus tells us what sin is like to GOD...  It is like the stench of of a dead carcass you pass by on the road.

People will be happy to participate in sinful behavior like vultures gathering around a carcass.

Do we see that today?

A couple years ago I had an experience while I slept.  It has not left me.  I was put in a the middle of a frightening and chaotic scene...

People were terrified. for one minute a person would be there and the next... gone!  I watched as one disappeared here and another there.   There were others who knew of His coming but instead of the joyful expectation to be take by the Lord-  they hid instead.  They knew the word or heard of such a happening but they were unprepared.  They wanted to stay in this world more then go with the LORD.  They had things on earth they couldn't let go of or part from.... The world was all they knew. They hid because they were ashamed of their lifestyle.  They hid because of the words and actions they did and said, did not honor the LORD.  They essentially chose death over LIFE.

It's one thing to be ignorant but is it another to be in the presence of the Almighty God- where every dirty spot in our lives is visible....  There are not excuses or pointing fingers..  You can't hide it... you are responsible for you.

People's sin will be obvious to them even though He won't be dealing with their sin at that very moment but that will shortly come after...

Thankfully the Bible says, "If we confess our sins, Jesus Christ is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 Johns 1:9

He does the cleansing not you, not me....

People prepare for His coming by living out their hope and faith in Jesus Christ daily.

Note: A good thing to remember when it comes to God, is expect the unexpected especially when it comes to His coming again.

Remember it says, "He is coming for those expecting Him...."  We may not know when He is coming because only our Heavenly Father knows this, but we certainly can "expect" Him.

I might also add, this expectation will also help us avoid things that might make us ashamed when He does arrive.   

Worth

As I headed back out of a nursing home... a man on the sidewalk started up a conversation. He liked the car I was using while I was in Washington.

 A smoldering cigarette dangled in between two of his fingers as he spoke about cars he used to race and now owns.   He then said he was visiting his mother who was in the assisted living part of the building.  I don't know exactly what I said next, but he said, “We live in a throw away culture and unfortunately we throw away people as well.”

It wasn't too long after I left, his statement lingered.  I don't know if people figuratively throw people away but I noticed that many people had this cloud of a burden hanging over them... It seemed like they were preoccupied with self.  I don't know if I immediately started off being a "rail changer"... but just using good manners people seemed "receptive".   It was then I decided to show everyone I met that they had value and worth.

I decided that people deserve courtesy even when they don’t seem to give us courtesy.

I mean isn't that what God did when he sent the world Jesus? (John 3:16)

The golden rule says... "And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way." (Luke 6:31)

So I would try to remember and call people by their name.  I thanked them and showed them my appreciation.  I smiled.  I held doors open.  I gave a well timed funny remark.   I genuinely asked them questions about their day.  I took time to listen.  I constructively spoke to others in truth and love.   I gave people a hand shake, a pat on the back and or a hug.  I commented on the pleasant weather conditions.  Just old fashioned respect of others.  

And you know what? I could see a visible difference in these people.  From the time I saw them- to the time I left them.
 

We may not be able to fix the world but we can show others they have worth… and a person who feels "worth" can be empowered to do many positive things.   Imagine a world where we showed worth to one another.  Not prideful but humble worth in one another.  (And sometimes we mistake giving someone worth by agreeing with their wrong but that is not at all true and not for discussion at this time.)

Why don’t we always show others they have worth?

Are we really that busy? Are we really that self-focused?  Do we got some kind of entitlement complex?  Really?

Ever return home after being away for a time and in those awaking moments in the morning - the mind has to figure out where you actually are?  You kind of feel like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole as you try to place out your surroundings and gain your cognitive bearings. “Where am I? 

We need to ask ourselves?  Where are we spiritually?  Am I living in the ways of God?  Would others know if they saw me?  Basics go a long way!

In Proverbs 23:7. It says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….”

Ever think something false about yourself?  Ever believe in lies…. I am sure some good intended grown ups told me lies … some for the worse and some for the better… but were they the reality God wanted for me? 

Our human understanding- the way we see the world, others, and ourselves can be misleading and even destructive.  We can actually live in a "false" reality were we are literally handicapped by false thoughts and impressions.   We can hold on to past resentments, tainting what is for today.  Ever feel mediocre or life is mundane? Do ever feel anxious or depressed or angry?

Often these feelings occur when we are not surrendered and submitted to (as a Christian) to the mind of Christ who works in us through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said I give you peace not the peace the world gives.  The Holy Spirit helps and counsels us to live above erroneous things that burden our soul.

Sometimes we don't even know the problem... it's like we have this corrupt data that spiritually slows us down or leads us tumble down the rabbit hole of wrong thought.  And then we wonder how in the world did we ever get here?!!!

But when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our day, He is like the utility program on my Mac.  He repairs all the my permissions data... so I can run more efficiently and not get bogged down…

There are a lot of bogged down people… no wonder why Jesus said, “And who of you by worrying can add one hour to [the length of] his life.” Matthew 6:27 AMP

In other words, we are robbed of the goodness of life- we lose God’s perfect and pleasing will for our life when we allow the things of this world to be placed on the throne of our hearts instead of God.

We miss opportunities to make a positive impact in other people's lives and lead them in the right direction.

(Now I must admit that sometimes my lovely wife, that God has given me, has that job as well and reminds me, “Jeffery get out of your head.”

Accepting and giving value and worth to others – is not hard WHEN we have made God the source of our strength and worth.   And it often is accompanied with humility, genuine peace, grace and self-control.

Godly change cannot be attained in us if we are a willing participant in a false or wrong or sinful pattern of thought.  Worth is not tied to the man but God who first loved us.

  "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Higher Perspective That Takes Some Work

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A “positive” perspective takes effort.  There are so many things that want to draw our attention to the negatives- from social apps, mainstream media, people we come in contact with but negativity can   come from us as well.

While growing up I dreaded school more then most.  Anxiety would race through my body even before my ear piercing alarm would go off.  No amount of studying seemed to calm the apprehension of a test or quiz day.  Change brought nervousness and queasiness.  Failure brought depression and frustration. 

I preferred solitude.  I still prefer a quiet place where I can “gather my thoughts”. 

Today I have to make an effort to be sociable with large groups of people.  I seem to be an observer of people.  I often pay close attention to people’s verbal tones and actions.  I still collect people’s actions like data- especially where I sense tension or some kind of judgment towards me. 

In these cases I have to fight the urge to withdraw.  I have to fight sinking into the quicksand condemnation.   I have to let go of “feeling less” then….

I always felt different and to this day I still sometimes feel awkward around others.  My mind at times seems to fail me -shutting my access off to its’ vocabulary banks where I easily forget people’s names and words causing conversation blunders.

Assessing these matters, I have pondered if these insufficiencies and failures have strengthened me in a strange way- where I have had to yield myself to God’s abounding grace instead of what wants to impede and deter from “higher/constructive” perspectives.    

It takes work to not fall into the habitual practices of the past.  It is probably one of the most difficult things we can do- to learn to submit, let go and accept God’s authority over our life so we can walk in the resilient buoyancy of God.     

Paul wrote, “To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of the faith with power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NASB

 

We often look at out our calling in a broad sense but our calling is also “intimate” and “eternal”.  If you are a Christian, your calling is being a child of God.  There is no higher calling.  It is allowing to God to empower you in all things great and small in the day… no matter in success or failure, sickness or good health, richer or poorer, older for older and so on… 

Our calling is believing that God is the author and finisher of our faith…  He helps us become conquers over the old habits of self and the hindrances of this world.  We put our hard “investment/effort/work/” into trusting that the LORD is LORD of our life.

And in return for our hard mental work: Life has… goodness because He is LIFE, which is our higher perspective/power amongst everything else. 

Think of all the benefits there are to your soul, mind and body in living in our calling.

  

Grace

“May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 6:24
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To attain the realization of the grace we have received and continue to receive from God through our Savior Jesus Christ is good but more fruitful- is it to not just know of it but receive it and accept into ourselves daily.
 
For if we do not care for our soul in this manner, how in the world can we graciously and humbly give it to others -who we might think are undeserving of it?

Was the Nazi who was responsible for the deaths of Corrie Ten Boom's family members deserving of grace? 

The more we understand acceptance of God's grace, it seems- the less we try in ways of the flesh and the more satisfying our Christian experience is in the Spirit.  I find living in the mindset of grace frees us up- it stabilizes our emotions.  It is to know the peace of "grace".   It is to know Jesus better. 

A man by the name of Ellicott wrote that the power of grace increases when put it into use but diminishes when we neglect it in our life which we then neglect to give it to others.

Grace isn't excusing the wrong/sinful, or perplexing, misunderstood or what is mundane or what will soon one day become meaningless but grace is allowing the overwhelming abundant grace of God to empower you and I to overcome those things that bother and irritate the soul.... but still it's more... Grace is God's glorious resources intertwined in strengthening the tapestry of our life.

I believe grace to be "serenity" when attributed to really allowing God to be God of our lives.
Niebuhr wrote, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference."

Hope

As I thought about this special week, one thing kept coming to mind. 

It is a truth the world badly needs. 

It’s a truth we aren’t born with.

A truth that gives us a realization that comforts - brings peace and stability amongst all the unknowns in our life.

It’s a truth that is our lifeboat to our thoughts amongst the storms and struggles; it’s a safety net, a rising airship that lifts our mindset above all the sticky burdens and cumbersome thoughts. 

As Isaiah wrote “it” renews our strength.  Makes us soar like eagles, run and not grow weary and walk and not faint.

I think of martyrs who clung and lived in the “beyond”, who knew personally the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

What is the belief that has enable believers to endure even through harsh treatment, torture, and death throughout the ages?

What was this ultimate saving grace that empowered their mindset to transcend the natural? 

It was… “Hope”.

Every human desires hope. 

Some have unfortunately placed their hope in the things of this world only to pay dearly when those things fail them. 

Real hope isn’t some kind of “wishful” thinking but a confidence that wells up in the believer in Jesus Christ.   It is like the stiff wind that keeps our kite flying.  It is part of us but alien to us as well -for we could not manufacture or accomplished this hope by any means of our own.  It was gifted to us -when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 

For when we were part of the world and thought and lived as the world, we didn’t have this hope and oddly we instinctively looked for this alien hope as if were a genetic spiritual code built in us by our Creator and passed down through all generations of humanity.

Man has tried to satisfy this need in their soul in many things - by loving the things of world, which could never satisfy.

1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

It is apparent when it came to these individuals -when it came to the few grains of sand in their hourglass they were gripped by sadness, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and ultimate emptiness.  No human means (money, popularity, fame, power, relations, self-righteousness) could save them… 

Before Christ, we had no spiritual passport to take us to a place our soul always yearned for- “a true reality of hope”.  We were stuck but thank God, when we called out to God from the dark hole we found ourselves in -God lovingly reached down and rescued us….

King David wrote, “I love the LORD because He hears and answers my prayers. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:1-2

When the Spirit of God rescued us, he took the blinders from our eyes, leaned over our shoulder and pointed us to a door of light- “a gate of hope itself” (Jesus Christ). 

In this there was this moment of clarity where we knew this was an invitation from God.  We accepted and in doing so received a great renewal that had it roots in hope and a love we are still yet beginning to understand for it is so great.

I ponder this in my heart… what is true wisdom?  What is true knowledge? What is true power? What is true authority? What is true peace? What is true joy?  Is it not hope living in all its abundance?

Take a moment…. 

The bible refers to hope as a confidence, a confidence in our salvation in Jesus Christ.  (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Hebrews 6:19 says, “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.  It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

This hope in Jesus Christ anchors the soul to things that prospers it and keeps it away from what wants to steal from it.

This hope in Jesus Christ is to give us life and life more abundantly. 

The believer has been given the keys to God’s house.  So if our soul isn’t prospering – we must ask ourselves – “Where have I put my spiritual keys- where have we put our hope? 

Where is that spiritual access card that allows me to have access into the things of God like peace, love, joy, faith, renewal, confidence, grace and so on?”  Where have I put my hope?”  What have I mistakenly placed before God in my life?

John 3:17 “For God did not send his Son (Jesus Christ) into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Jesus came into the world to save it and give it a lasting hope… but it is our choice to come to him be spiritually sustained by Him or not.  It is our choice to love darkness more then the light of hope in God.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Think about it…  This is a message for you who are saved and you who haven’t given your life to the Lord yet.

Hope are you living in it?   

Kingdoms

As bro Taylor gave us a message this morning…

I thought about certain moments in my favorite movies where the master, king, teacher, leader, lord confides in those he considers a true friend, brother, son.

Jesus says in John 8:35 “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.”

When we give our lives to Jesus we become a son/daughter to God.  We became family members to an everlasting kingdom.

Jesus also uttered these words, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15

Our Lord and Savior Jesus confides in us does He not?  He shares with us the mysteries of God to encourage and elevate our thinking/understanding beyond the pretenses of this world’s ideologies-walls that surround us.

We become ambassadors of Christ.  Our authority, rights, desires, needs come from God who is the source of all good things- His good, pleasing and perfect will.  We desire joy, peace, God’s gracious and merciful love, wisdom and we receive without limit as we yield everything - soul, heart, mind over to Him.

We are God’s domain after all… for He has translated us by His Spirit and blood.

The kingdom of God (not always ushered in with visible signs) comes in the knowing He has changed us supernaturally inwardly.   And with our continual hope and trust in Him we will be continually established in what God has intended in Himself.

Think about that last phrase for a second… “And with our continual hope and trust in Him we will be continually established in what God has intended in Himself”.

We “are” because of Him. 

For in us Jesus Christ’s Spirit (the Holy Spirit that reveals the deep things of God) lives in us…. We get to everyday by our choice to participate in the everlasting, renewing, strengthening things of God or not.

Robin Longstride, in the 2010 Robin Hood movie, speaks….

“If you're building for the future, you need to keep your foundations strong, laws of the land enslave the people to a king who demands loyalty but offers nothing in return, I've been to the South of France, Palestine and back, you build a kingdom the same way you build a cathedral from the ground up!”      

We used to serve the kingdom of darkness.  We used to serve the prince of darkness- Satan.   We willing participated in darkness and even let the tormentors of fear, hatred, lust and depression come sit at our table.  That kingdom never offered us peace. That kingdom never offered us peace.   That kingdom never offered us grace, mercy and undeserved love and privilege.  It was weak and faulty and always making us thirsty and hungry.  And we know that dark kingdom will be destroyed with time itself when the everlasting kingdom comes and takes its place.  A kingdom without time. 

A kingdom whose foundations are strong because they are set on God himself- Jesus Christ.

“And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” 1 Peter 2:5

God is saying,  “Come…. mediate, confide and trust in Me.  Trust in my Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  The one who opens our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and sets us free from those things that want offer us nothing but enslavement.   And as we yield, trust, confide in God and His word- He gives us thought provoking, encouraging and elevating things of Himself…

Things that enrich, revive, liberate and last forever for the child, friend, priest of God.

Things that we can pass on and share with others- others who are endangered of an eternal doom because they are serve a kingdom of darkness instead of Jesus Christ who is the truth, the way and the life.  John 14:6