Wisdom

Did you know that the New Testament word for wisdom is “Sophia”, which comes from sophos, which means skilled or wise. The root word for wisdom has lost its original connotation and shows up in may “not wise “ uses today. In fact, the goddess Sophia is a revered figure among New Age feminist worshipers. The word sophomore comes from this ad it is a person in their second year of his studies, who normally thinks he knows it all. Job in the Old Testament was one who truly was seeking the Source of wisdom.

Here is what Job says,

Job 28:20-28 (TEV)

^“ Where, then, is the source of wisdom? Where can we learn to understand?

No living creature can see it, Not even a bird in flight.

Even death and destruction Admit they have heard only rumors.

God alone knows the way, Knows the place where wisdom is found,

Because he sees the ends of the earth, Sees everything under the sky.

When God gave the wind its power And determined the size of the sea;

When God decided where the rain would fall, And the path that the thunderclouds travel;

It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth— He gave it his approval.

God said to us humans, "To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil."

The source of wisdom is God. To begin to obtain it, is to revere God. To have a holy respect for Him.”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” this phrase is used 14 times in the book of Proverbs and therein lies the key to obtaining wisdom.

TLS ®

Some Thoughts...

 

“Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. Why do you contend against him, saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s words’? For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

“Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones,so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food. His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.” Job 33:12-14;19-22

“Why does the heathen rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure.”

Psalm 2:1-3

^“ For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31

^" But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27

 

TLS ®

My Monday morning blog

 

I am not certain but I suppose very few read this blog and I wonder why I even write it on Monday mornings. Maybe it is a form of therapy for me as I need an outlet after a hard and fulfilling day on Sunday. Only ministers and their wives know of the highs and lows we experienced on weekly basis as we prepare to preach and then we deliver a message.

On Sundays I rise early to pray and prepare myself for a grand day. Then at 8:30 AM I have a one-on-one discipleship time. After that I go to my Sunday School class and spend an hour there. Following that I am wheeled upstairs to the auditorium , stop off at the restroom and go to the worship service. Normally at 5:00 PM I preach a second time to our Nigerian congregation that meets in the afternoon. When the day is completed I am exhausted but it is a good exhaustion.

I love preaching. It is my deepest and heartfelt passion. I want to preach more but God gives me other opportunities. I have a men’s discipleship group on Wednesday mornings with three guys and then Wednesday evening I have another man I meet with for Bible study. What fulfillment this brings me. In one of the churches I served in I tried having a group of men to disciple and it did not go. They had little or no interest in growing in the Lord. It was very disappointing to say the least. When someone comes up and ask me if I can disciple him, this is a no brainer, I say,” Yes, I will!” I am fulfilling the Great Commission and fulfilling my calling. I have had the opportunity and the pleasure to disciple many over my span of 46 years of ministry.

I received an email or letter many years ago from a young lady who I taught in the 8^th grade ,when I was a school teacher and coach. She said how much my life and witness helped her in her relationship with the Lord. I was overtaken with this. I did not know I was that type of influence there at that middle school in 1969-70 but obviously God did something through me. You never know when or who God is going to touch through you.

 

TLS ® 

How I felt about this past Sunday...

 

This past Sunday we had to say goodbye to a number of our families who are moving away to various locations after spending time here in Mexico City. The length of time range has been from three years to forty-four years. Some of these families we have come to know real well and it was painful to tell them goodbye. We introduced them and we prayed for them, Sunday. The make-up of our congregation is this way. One year we had thirteen families to leave us. However, I am amazed how God takes care of this church even with the lost of families every year. We have more precious one come to join us and serve with us here.

One year I really got stressed because we were losing so many and I began to cry out to the Lord. Then He began to bring one family at a time and we have seen an increase in attendance over the years because of the faithfulness of God. It is a pleasure for me to be able to serve as pastor of such a beautiful congregation. As I have gone through these days of recuperation many people have supplied us with food and such delicious food. Many have expressed that they are praying for us. This is truly an encouragement to us. Our Lord is gracious and good. He always knows what we need , when we need it.

We will miss these folks. Most of them have been an integral part of this body of believers. However, we know that God has plans for them and for us here in Mexico City.

TLS ® 

Thinking of Fellowship

 

I try to write a “Pastor’s blog” every week but sometimes I don’t get it done. Particularly after my surgery I am not at the computer as much as I used to be and this is a good thing. I spend my early morning hours now with an uninterrupted Quiet Time, which is more beneficial than working on my laptop. Many months ago we went through a campaign that was to help in developing relationships both with God and with others. We had a sermon series, a 40 Day Journal and we started small groups. Some of us began to see this relationship development begin to happen. In fact, we still have four or five small groups carrying on. Hopefully, we can crank up again for the Fall and have some more connected.

We have a very unique church, where we have many from various nations around the world. The small groups can be of great help in getting to know people. This past Sunday, I was so surprised to see so many new faces in our congregation and with us losing at least 30 from our congregation this summer, I was overwhelmed to see so many. Yes, every year we lose some and then we gain some. Some years it is a few and some years it is many. We hate to lose them but we also welcome many to our fellowship.

This is why we need and must maintain our small groups. We must add more and more each time we start them up. Maybe there will be those who will in our congregation have a small group in their home.

 

TLS ®