I am using a new blog site. You can find me at blog.walkinwisdom.org. I hope to hear from you there!
Sincerely,
Diane
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
God's Truth is Transcendent!
2 Timothy 2:8-9 are Paul's exhortation to his protege, Timothy.
"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned." (NASB)
In essence Paul says, "I might be chained but remember there are absolutely no chains on the Gospel of our victorious Lord Jesus."
None of us has a guarantee in this life, especially if you strive to live full-out for Christ. Timothy knew as he read his mentor's encouraging letter that he might face the same fate as Paul and so many others of his day.
Even now, people continue to endure unspeakable persecution because of their dedication to the unfettered truth of the gospel. We must remember that our life is given purpose as we serve a cause so much larger than we are. Indeed, Christ was dead but is now alive and glorified. God's Word is forever free and unfettered. The message of Holy Script is eternally secure, absolutely separate from you and I. Just as God is transcendent, so is His perfect Word.
Truth is a concept, an intangible, made observable through a Christian's life, but it is much bigger than we are. God's Word offers a finite glimpse into the mind of infinite God. The same omnipotent Sovereign who inspired it, eternally insures its perfect preservation as well. You and I are called to let God's blessed truth form deep roots and grow observable fruit from our lives, but we must remember and take a certain comfort in knowing that the gospel itself is not dependent upon our fragile ability to preserve and protect it.
Paul was willing to die for something much greater than his own legacy. Knowing that Almighty God stands behind His Word makes promotion of it's truth worth my life . . .and my death, if so required.
and so my prayer must be . . .
Dear Lord, help me live in constant awareness that your Word in me is eternal and preserved by your own hand. It isn't bound, and so, neither is your humble messenger.
Walking In His Wisdom Today,
Diane
"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned." (NASB)
In essence Paul says, "I might be chained but remember there are absolutely no chains on the Gospel of our victorious Lord Jesus."
None of us has a guarantee in this life, especially if you strive to live full-out for Christ. Timothy knew as he read his mentor's encouraging letter that he might face the same fate as Paul and so many others of his day.
Even now, people continue to endure unspeakable persecution because of their dedication to the unfettered truth of the gospel. We must remember that our life is given purpose as we serve a cause so much larger than we are. Indeed, Christ was dead but is now alive and glorified. God's Word is forever free and unfettered. The message of Holy Script is eternally secure, absolutely separate from you and I. Just as God is transcendent, so is His perfect Word.
Truth is a concept, an intangible, made observable through a Christian's life, but it is much bigger than we are. God's Word offers a finite glimpse into the mind of infinite God. The same omnipotent Sovereign who inspired it, eternally insures its perfect preservation as well. You and I are called to let God's blessed truth form deep roots and grow observable fruit from our lives, but we must remember and take a certain comfort in knowing that the gospel itself is not dependent upon our fragile ability to preserve and protect it.
Paul was willing to die for something much greater than his own legacy. Knowing that Almighty God stands behind His Word makes promotion of it's truth worth my life . . .and my death, if so required.
and so my prayer must be . . .
Dear Lord, help me live in constant awareness that your Word in me is eternal and preserved by your own hand. It isn't bound, and so, neither is your humble messenger.
Walking In His Wisdom Today,
Diane
Monday, January 5, 2009
Taming The Wild Tongue
The Wisdom of Proverbs warns us that "When words are many, sin is not absent but he who holds his tongue is wise. Ecclesiastes 10 v14 says "The fool multiplies words."
Nuff said . . .
Incidentally, if you input "taming and wild" together into an internet search engine, you get some pretty weird stuff -- my favorite -- "Taming wild cats with Tibetan Buddhist Chants." I know you are going to want to check out that site. . . These wild cats must have a sensitive, spiritual side!
If you need to go about taming something, you must begin with the working assumption that it was "born to be wild." Controlling the tongue is, according to scripture, the most difficult thing for any of us to do. And Christians are certainly no exception.
Pay attention to what you are saying and you will have a window to your heart condition. Your tongue (and how it's used) reveals what is in your heart. Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34 NIV)
And remember, once spoken, your words are out of your control forever . . .and they never die. Scientists say that the sound waves set in motion by every voice go on an endless journey through space. If we had sufficiently sophisticated instruments that had the power to capture those waves, we could recreate every word ever spoken. What an awesome and yet terrifying thought.
God has that capability! He misses nothing! From the moment we begin to talk until the moment we uter our last audible breath, every single utterance is recorded as only our powerful God is capable of doing. One day, in the presence of our Savior, we may hear our own words utter convicting testimony about God Himself.
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words though shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12, v36-37)
"A word is dead when it is said some say. I say it just begins to live that day." -- Emily Dickenson
Well said! The tongue is a big mouthful to swallow, but better it than my foot! At least my tongue BELONGS in my mouth!
Lord, please help the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Walking in Wisdom Today,
Diane Waisner
Nuff said . . .
Incidentally, if you input "taming and wild" together into an internet search engine, you get some pretty weird stuff -- my favorite -- "Taming wild cats with Tibetan Buddhist Chants." I know you are going to want to check out that site. . . These wild cats must have a sensitive, spiritual side!
If you need to go about taming something, you must begin with the working assumption that it was "born to be wild." Controlling the tongue is, according to scripture, the most difficult thing for any of us to do. And Christians are certainly no exception.
Pay attention to what you are saying and you will have a window to your heart condition. Your tongue (and how it's used) reveals what is in your heart. Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34 NIV)
And remember, once spoken, your words are out of your control forever . . .and they never die. Scientists say that the sound waves set in motion by every voice go on an endless journey through space. If we had sufficiently sophisticated instruments that had the power to capture those waves, we could recreate every word ever spoken. What an awesome and yet terrifying thought.
God has that capability! He misses nothing! From the moment we begin to talk until the moment we uter our last audible breath, every single utterance is recorded as only our powerful God is capable of doing. One day, in the presence of our Savior, we may hear our own words utter convicting testimony about God Himself.
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words though shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matthew 12, v36-37)
"A word is dead when it is said some say. I say it just begins to live that day." -- Emily Dickenson
Well said! The tongue is a big mouthful to swallow, but better it than my foot! At least my tongue BELONGS in my mouth!
Lord, please help the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Walking in Wisdom Today,
Diane Waisner
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Next week I leave for the Holy Land even as bombs are leveling property on each side of the embattled Gaza Strip. It is my first trip to the land where Jesus and His godly followers have walked for centuries. I want to be among them . . .and I'm not afraid . . .really. If I live what I testify to others, then my life is in His hands. Months ago I made these plans not knowing what would happen in January 2009 but He did! He who holds the events of this world in His control is never surprised. And I am His . . .but sometimes I see the "Cowardly Lion" in me too.
In the classic, Wizard of Oz, the Lion said, “I am such a coward, I even scare myself!” Can you relate?
When the group of unlikely comrades finally get to the end of their journey and they get an audience with the Wizard, the Lion says in a quaking voice, “I’ll just wait outside!” To which Dorothy replies, “But don’t you know that the Wizard is going to give you some courage?” It is evident that the Lion is still focused on his own role as he responds, “Yes, but I’d be too scared to ask for it!”
Isn’t that a lot like most of us? The Bible is full of promises that the presence of God is the source of our strength; there is much prepared for those who love Him. But often I'm hanging with the other cowards outside . . .
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
This is the way lions are expected to be. That's why the Cowardly Lion was such a dichotomy. Christ makes us righteous but we are often far from bold. We live on the run, afraid to show our Savior to the dying world and (often) afraid to show ourselves to God because of our compromised lifestyle.
Soloman said it first: “wisdom is better than strength.”(Ecles 9:16) What does this mean?
You have heard Knowledge is power—akin to it is Wisdom IS strength.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
This section of scripture is often misinterpreted.
¬ What it doesn't say is an illogical “believe you are strong and be unafraid."
¬ What it does say is “be careful to carry the words of scripture with an obedient heart into all your activity." THEN, and only THEN, is there no reason to fear.
Growing up spiritually means settling your vision (FIXING it steadfastly) on Christ—not on human beings (even if they are wise) and pushing aside anything that interferes or threatens you . . .bold like a "righteous" lion!
To quote the transformed Lion “ain’t it the truth. . .ain’t it the truth!" Bon Voyage in this life to each of you!
Walking in Wisdom because of Christ today,
Diane
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