Integrity of Mind

Our Bible study for Wednesday Woman this week is entitled, “The Mind: A Terrible Thing to Waste.” It is based on several passages from Romans.


Romans 1:21 (English Standard Version)
21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

All of creation told them that God existed, but they refused to recognize Him. Once they failed in acknowledging that reality, other thoughts became misguided as well. And as they failed in their minds to recognize God, they also failed in their hearts. And the result is not a pretty picture. Sin never is.

King David, in an effort to be a man of integrity, made a vow before his people. When our boys were young, my husband would have this verse taped to the television as a gentle reminder. He used the New King James Version at that time.

Psalm 101:3 (New King James Version)
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;

I also like the English Standard Version where it exchanges wicked for worthless.

Psalm 101:3 (English Standard Version)
3I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.

I like thinking about avoiding things that have no value. But we know that even King David failed in this promise. He did not avoid looking at the beautiful Bathsheba and succumbing to the other sins that followed.

Although, like King David, we, too, may fail miserably, we, too, like King David, can hold to the promise of the one who did live a life of perfect integrity—David’s descendant, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:10-11 (English Standard Version)
10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Dear Father in Heaven,
We acknowledge you as the creator of all good gifts. We ask that you forgive us for the many times that we fail in our efforts to do Your will. Thank you for the reconciliation we receive by faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please bless our efforts to serve You with integrity.
In Jesus Name we pray.
Amen

Wisdom

It’s a normal back to the office kind of day.  Tuesdays are my LONG day.  My daughter usually has piano lessons before school and choir after school.  I teach a 7th grade Catechism class first thing in the morning and a religion class for public school students in the evening.  I am usually in the building from 7 am until 9 pm except for about an hour or two that we scrounge something for dinner! 

One of the prep things on my Tuesday agenda is our Wednesday morning women’s Bible study.  Our topic this week is on “Wisdom” and many of the Bible references come from Proverbs.  When we think of wisdom and advice many of us immediately remember some of the advice that our parents gave us or a familiar saying of a grandparent.  We couldn't leave my grandmother's house without her saying, "Buckle up and push the button."  That meant, "Fasten your seat belt and lock your doors."  That was back before electric locks and you locked your car doors by pushing down the little button on the door near the window!  That was her way of saying, "I love you!"

Proverbs 4.1 states:

¹ Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
   and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

King Solomon gives good advice to listen to your elders and to learn from their experience.  We especially want to learn from those faithful followers of Christ. 

Proverbs 1.7 tells us:

⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
   fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Those who fear the Lord, who put him first above all things, are the ones with true wisdom.  True wisdom is not the wisdom of the world.  The world sees the wisdom of the cross and Christ crucified as foolishness but to the ones being saved it gives strength and power and life everlasting. 

These words also serve as a reminder to parents who want their children to listen to them.  Trust me, I am feeling very convicted!  Are you grounded in the Word?  Are you reflecting the “fear of the Lord” in your life and in your home? 

I would like to close with the very simple prayer from the Lutheran Study Bible.

Lord, teach us true wisdom and give us its power to love and serve You.  Amen.

Childlike Faith

Our Wednesday morning Bible study this week will be looking at Mark 10 as we focus on “The Wisdom of the Master Teacher”. It’s the first lesson in a study from CPH entitled “Health and Well-Being.” I will admit that I almost didn’t give it a closer look after reading the title. But after just reading the titles of the weekly topics, I knew it was worth a second look. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes with our group. Several things have struck me from this chapter. First is in the first verse.

Mark 10:1 (English Standard Version)
1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

As usual, Jesus is teaching. He takes advantage of every opportunity to teach those around him and, in most cases, it is to a crowd! Jesus had the ultimate public preaching ministry.

Then later in the chapter Jesus takes advantage of a teaching moment when He sees the disciples rebuking people for bringing their children.

Mark 10:13-16 (English Standard Version)
Let the Children Come to Me
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

What an example Jesus is giving us as he shows us the value of children—and the value of children in church. And especially, he shows us the value of a childlike faith. This can provide great comfort to us as we see the simple faith of a child. The kingdom of God—salvation—belongs to these children. These children didn’t do anything to earn salvation. They received it by grace through faith in Jesus. What comfort this can give each of us as Jesus admonishes us to receive the kingdom of God like a child. Quit trying to get there by works. Give up the self-righteous efforts. Take the gift that is freely offered. This is a strong admonition. He doesn’t say that this is one way to receive the kingdom. It says that it is the only way! If you don’t receive the kingdom like a child, you won’t enter! Like a helpless child, each of us can receive the kingdom of God by grace through faith in Jesus as our risen Lord and Savior.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who was willing to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. Help us to humbly receive the kingdom of God with the trusting faith of a child.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen