Bill’s Bestowals:
“God’s School of Wisdom”
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
We continue to delve into the Book of Proverbs these days in worship, and the number of proverbial memes I have received from many of you tells me that you are keeping your eyes open for proverb sightings! My favorite: Three different people sent me one that said, “I just realized that every cartoon with Wile E. Coyote is based on Proverbs 26:27!”
Proverbs 26:27
“If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.”
Isn’t that spot on and priceless!? If the Road Runner were to “turn the other cheek,” (Matthew 5:39) so to speak, he should have the words of Proverbs 26:27 tattooed on his tail feathers! (Think about it …)
Having said that, Wile E. doesn’t seem the type to care all that much about wisdom. I’m hoping no one reading this will ever choose to follow in his shallow footsteps, since the Book of Proverbs consistently reminds us that the opposite of wisdom is foolishness.
Want to avoid Wile E.’s folly? For true wisdom, check out the proverb above (Proverbs 3:5-6).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Wisdom dictates that we bank on the promises of God. Moment by moment, do you trust in a good, holy, kind, loving, all-providing, all-satisfying God? “Blessed is the man who always fears (holds in awe) the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” (Proverbs 28:14)
“Don’t rely on your own understanding.” This means that we should make a conscious choice to rely on God, rather than self. Of course that doesn’t mean that you don’t think and you don’t plan … it just means that you don’t bank on it! “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31) So even in the midst of our planning and thinking and using our minds, we are leaning on something beyond ourselves. We aren’t leaning on our own resources.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him.” I think this means, “In all your ways, know Him and turn to Him.” When we do so, with every new choice that we have to make and every conversation we join – we are sending up a message, “God, I acknowledge you here (in the brain), I know you here (in the heart). I’m drawing you in here (in the body); you are needed here!” “Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” (Proverbs 28:14) “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3) “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24) “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)
“He will make your paths straight.” And if we follow those – trusting, leaning, renouncing self-reliance, and bringing Him into every situation – He will straighten our paths! God will keep us from wasting our lives, prevent us from destroying ourselves and others via sinful paths, and will bring us to everlasting joy!
My advice is to always follow the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6. The choice is yours, of course, but remember: “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15)
Shalom! Pastor Bill
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July 2023 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:30 a.m.
àFellowship Hour includes breakfast! Available to ALL! Really! ß
Sunday Schools at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Tuesday: Lunches of Love in Janssen Park 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Thursday: Grief Share at 10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
July 1: Potluck & Fireworks at Tapley Park
July 5: Fellowship Committee Meeting 10 a.m.
July 9: Graduation Reception for Miranda Burt following Worship
July 11: Building & Grounds Meeting 10 a.m.
July 11: Mission Committee Meeting 4:30 p.m.
July 12-13: Fellowship trip to Branson, Missouri to see “The Book of Esther”
July 14: Youth Meeting to finish painting youth room 10 a.m.
July 16: Fellowship Potluck Meal following Worship
July 17: Stewardship & Finance Meeting 1 p.m.
July 30: Helping Hands Sunday
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
2 –Cathy & Tims Edwards 21 – Sharon Chambers
5 – Tracy Tate-Allphin 28 – Linda & David Spurgin
7 – Cathy Edwards 30 – Al Hernandez
14 – Gini & Robby Burt 30 – Tricia & Wes Stiefer
16 – TJ Thompson
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: William Edwards & Dora Venable
Communion Preparers: Susan Seitz, Paula Dearing & Lois Morrow
Communion Servers: Leon Myers, Garrett Lundberg, Dora Venable,
Chuck Schroyer & Annette Hays
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
July 2: Personal Care Collection
July 23: Goodland Academy
