Letting God correct us

Proverbs 15:31 NKJV — The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.

Being rebuked isn’t fun, nor does it feel good.

A rebuke can actually feel as if one is being harmed, but…

If we allow God to rebuke us we are abiding among the wise.

Why?

Because the wise understands the need to be teachable.

Proverbs 15:33 NKJV — The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

To be teachable means to humble one’s pride and realize one is not always correct, not always seeing the entirety of a matter, not always able to deduce the best possible action or response.

It’s to see oneself accurately, to realize each of us has limitations.

There’s such beauty in humility.

The humble heart is open and willing for God to work in them.

The Bible warns of what the proud, the hardhearted are choosing when they refuse God’s correction.

Proverbs 15:10 NKJV — Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:12 NKJV — A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise.

Amos 5:10 NKJV — They hate the one who rebukes in the gate, And they abhor the one who speaks uprightly.

Obviously, these are not only circumstances one would wish to avoid, these are people most wouldn’t want to spend time with, let alone be.

There is another way.

Each of us has a choice.

Proverbs 13:1 NKJV — A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Not all people will give words of wisdom, but each one of us can find true wisdom from our Heavenly Father in the words He has given.

Proverbs 16:20 NKJV — He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Thank You for the book of Proverbs where we can find such easy to apply direction. Lord, please make my heart teachable today. Help me to have Your perspective. Please guide me in Your will. Lord, please keep falsehood and pride far from me, let me be on my guard to those things, that I might not sin against You. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for giving me life. Please help me to live each day for You. Amen.

Foolish or wise?

Who has not experienced the irrational behavior of another and wondered what happened?

How long does one have to reflect before recalling the folly observed in another?

What about one’s own irrational or unreasonable behavior?

Each one of us can look backwards and see foolish choices in the past.

But how does one walk forward into wisdom?

Oftentimes, our blindness to our incorrect attitudes or ideas are brought to light by another.

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV — As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

It is vital that we remain humble and teachable.

Proverbs 14:16 NKJV — A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

What does a wise man fear?

Proverbs 1:5-7NKJV — A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

God gives us His Word,

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 4:30 KJV — And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

and godly people to help us learn wisdom.

Proverbs 27:6 NKJV — Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

If we are only willing to hear accolades and affirmation we are missing out on the vital correction of God.

Proverbs 3:11 KJV — My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

God can correct and instruct each one through both large and small circumstances.

Thus all of life is a glorious opportunity to be polished and honed by God, growing more like Him each day.

After the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus the disciples were notably changed.

Acts 4:13 NKJV — Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Their past folly was forgotten as these men walked forward into the path of following Christ with clear understanding of Who He is.

They were so different that even those who didn’t like the change noticed.

That’s inspiring!

“A Christian should have a striking resemblance to Jesus Christ. The best biography of Jesus is His life written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be and should be, we would be pictures of Jesus. We would be such striking likenesses of Him, that the world wouldn’t have to examine us for hours just to say, ‘Well you were somewhat of a likeness.’ Instead when seeing us they would exclaim, ‘They’re what Jesus of Nazareth must have been like– truly good and holy people.'” Charles Spurgeon taken from Morning by Morning

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and Your guidance. Thank You that I can look to the Bible and find how to be wise and not foolish. Lord, thank You that You have given so much and are ready and waiting to continue to polish my heart and make me more like You. Lord Jesus, that’s what I want. I want to look like You, to see the world through Your perspective and to love as You do. Lord Jesus, I’m a frail, sinful being an often choose folly instead of wisdom. Please help me to make wise choices, to listen, and to be teachable. Lord You alone are the all that I need. Thank You. Amen.

This morning’s teachable moment

Anne and I spent some time painting yesterday evening.

I hung this on the wall in our bathroom yesterday.

This morning as I was busy about the house I realized I hadn’t signed it.

So, I grabbed a pen I’d found in the bottom of my Bible bag and took down the painting.

The ink didn’t flow very well and I figured the pen was nearly out, but managed to get my initials on the corner.

As I replaced the picture I noticed a blob of black ink on the painting.

“Oh no!”

I got the painting back off the wall and saw black ink all over the back of the canvas and on the wall.

I grabbed a wash cloth and wiped up the mess.

Unfortunately some paint came off the painting as well as the ink, but I expected as much.

Once, I turned to the sink to wash the ink off my hands I saw my dress.

Black ink on the front.

“Uhg!”

I took off the dress and began trying to remove the stain.

Most of it came out.

I turned to head back into the closet and there was black ink on the tile!

“Yikes!”

Again I began cleaning as fast as possible.

Thankfully it all came up.

I got what I needed from the closet, took my dress to the laundry room and treated the ink.

Then I went to the kitchen.

I’d forgotten my pot of boiling potatoes due to the ink mess.

I quickly turned it off and removed the lid.

The topmost spud was so cooked it was beginning to fall apart which would greatly hinder me pouring the water off without sending potato down my drain.

I grabbed a utensil and tried to get the potato.

Of course it broke and splashed boiling water all over my right hand.

I dropped the potato which went to pieces.

More mess.

Eventually the potatoes were cooling in a bowl.

My hand felt better after running cool water over it and I decided to take a break.

Not long after this I received a text:

“I pray your day is well.”

-smile-

“Thank You, Jesus.”

The Lord knew I was going to have all this occurring and He had put me on someone’s heart.

As I related the story to our daughter she commented.

“I’m so glad all that ink didn’t happen to the carpet.”

-Wow-

I hadn’t even thought of that!

With this came several other things to be thankful for.

To name a few:

I’d almost worn my white linen top and cream colored skirt this morning, but felt I should go with the grey dress instead.

The boiling pot of potatoes could have burned me much more if potato had plastered my hand instead of water.

My attitude could have degenerated into frustration and anger, but throughout I felt comfort, that everything really would be fine.

And there is the lesson I learned in my teachable moment.

Jesus doesn’t act as a safety bubble, cushioning me from every discomfort.

Instead, Jesus walks with me, guiding and speaking with me, training through the circumstances.

Because pain can be an incredible teacher.

Thankfulness can bloom into praise.

Life is a wonderful gift, given by God.

And He’s using every part to teach my heart.

Psalm 86:11 KJV — Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for walking with me this morning. Thank You for keeping me in all these things. Lord, please continue to help me walk with you through each circumstance. Please shine Your truth into my life daily. Lord, thank You so much for teachable moments. May Your name be glorified throughout the whole Earth. Amen.