I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 1 of 3)

March 16, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

You’ll notice that I highlighted in line with His will. This is a key point because often times we like to put God in “our” box.

We like to tell God what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. After all, if God is listening to us, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for.

Maybe you have this type of thinking when it comes to God? Check out this video…

EXCEPT, when what we want is not in line with His will.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT GOD’S WILL IS?

When praying, tell God that you desire to know His will. That you want what He wants. That you know He loves you and has your best interest in mind. …we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. – Romans 8:28

The promise of answered prayers can be claimed by anyone who loves God. Meaning they’ve put their trust in Him, and obey what He teaches them in the Bible. They’ve allowed God to transform the way they look at situations, people, the culture, the world …let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. – Romans 12:2

IF ALL THIS IS TRUE, THEN WHY DOES IT SEEM THAT GOD IS NOT ANSWERING MY PRAYERS?

One thing I’m certain of is that God doesn’t always answer our prayers in clear-cut/black-and-white way. Sometimes He might be saying wait, sometimes yes, sometimes no, and other times He may be urging us to question or refine our requests.

LET’S USE AN EXAMPLE – A Student Choosing Between Two Colleges

Student –

“I don’t know which college to attend. I’ve been accepted to two. I like both. Both offer great/unique programs. I will pray to God and ask Him which college I should go to.”
“I feel uneasy. Should I choose College “A” or College “B”? I’ve been praying, yet all I have is more anxiety and more unanswered questions.”
“I feel like I’d like to attend an Open House at each of the schools to get a feel for the campus and students.”
“I feel like I should call the schools to clarify options for extra curricular activities that would compliment my chosen major.”
“I’ve discovered today, that taking courses towards a minor in ______ vs. ______ would be a better fit with my major.”
“I’ve submitted applications for scholarships, and received one from College “A”. Still waiting on the results from College “B”.
“There are students that I’d like to room with, and took the necessary steps for that to occur.”

HAS GOD ANSWERED THIS STUDENT’S PRAYER?

FOR THE ANSWER TO THE ABOVE QUESTION, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT: I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 2) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-i5for the answer to this question, and I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does He Answer Me?? – (Part 3) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-ij

HINT: For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. – Job 33:14

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Female Angels?? Giants?? – Replying to a Reader’s Comment – ANGELS [6]

March 9, 2015March 25, 2015buildafoundation 2 Comments

…When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Mark 19:25-26

In this post I will be replying to a comment made on my post Names and Roles of Angels (Part 2). Original post link – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-gA

I’m replying as a post rather that replying directly to the comment on the initial post, for 2 reasons:

The question/comment posted was very challenging and thought-provoking. It was something I hadn’t thought of, and I would like to learn more about.
I wanted my readers to know that there is a section below every post where you can leave comments, suggestions, questions, etc. All are welcome!! 🙂

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Here is the reader’s comment/question:

There is no mention of female angels anywhere in Scripture. Jesus said, “…in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Mt. 22:30). Do you think the absence of females in heaven was one reason the sons of God married the daughters of men, giving birth to the ancient giants called the ‘Nephilim’?

Gen 6:4 “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days … when the sons of God were having sexual relations with the daughters of humankind, who gave birth to their children. They were the mighty heroes of old, the famous men.”

If this is true, then it is possible for angels to sin. But most theologians say that the angels who did not fall with Satan are sealed by God and cannot sin. What do you think?

———————————————————————–

The word angel appears over 175 times in the New Testament and over 200 times in the Old Testament. And you are correct, that there is no mention of female angels anywhere in Scripture.

The Greek word for “angel” in the New Testament, angelos, (messenger) is in the masculine noun form. In the Old Testament, the word used for angel (messenger) is malak. It is also used in the masculine noun form. In fact, a feminine form of angelos or malak does not exist in the Bible.

I believe it would be impossible for angels to reproduce with people because it goes against the physical laws God established in “the beginning”, at creation. God said that species would reproduce after their own kind, Genesis:1:11-12, 21-25). Angels are one “kind”, and people are another kind.

I DON’T THINK THAT THE ABSENCE OF FEMALES IN HEAVEN HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE SONS OF GOD MARRYING THE DAUGHTERS OF MEN, AND HERE’S WHY:

It would seem more likely to me that the “sons of God” referenced in Genesis 6:1 were the descendents of Seth, who worshiped God – Genesis 4:26, and intermarried with Cain’s descendents, those who did not worship God. It is assumed that Cain had no post-Flood descendants. All his descendents were destroyed in the Flood, and that Noah and his sons were descendants of Adam’s son Seth.

Because of these “unequally yoked” marriages – 2 Corinthians 6:14, godly influence was weakened, while depravity increased. A result was similar to Solomon’s intermarrying, 1 Kings 11:2 – The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.

AS FOR THE NEPHILIM:

The Nephilim were not a result of the intermarrying, but were present prior to the intermarrying.

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days–AND also afterward–when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. – Genesis 6:4

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ANGELS TO SIN?

I believe that when God created the angels He gave them free will. I believe this because when I read the story of creation, Genesis 1:1-31, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1, I read that everything God created was good – Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! – Genesis 1:31. I believe that He also created the angels “good”. As angels were created before the creation of earth based on Job 38:4-7, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job+38%3A4-7&version=NLT

Therefore, if the angels did not have free will they would not have been able, as Satan and his followers did, to choose to rebel against God. Without free will they would have essentially been robots created by God to “fan” and “worship” Him.

ARE THE ANGELS, THAT DID NOT FALL WITH SATAN, SEALED BY GOD?

I believe the answer to this question in yes. I think we can compare the angels to people in this respect. While we are still on planet earth it is possible for us to repent of our sins and “choose” to follow God. – (For more on choosing to follow God, see my tab in the menu – The Cornerstone) However, once we have “passed” from our earthly lives we will move on to one of two destinations – eternal separation from God – Hell = each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment – Hebrews 9:27,or eternally present with God – Heaven.

In the book of Genesis the Garden of Eden is synonymous to heaven. Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God, God drove out the man and the woman, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. – Genesis 3:24 If they would have stayed in the garden and eaten from the Tree of Life, they would have lived forever. Forever, though, in a sinful/separated from God state.

The angels that rebelled against God were forever banished from Heaven -…the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. – Revelation 12:9 Whereas, the angels who “choose” to stay and obey God were sealed by God, and will eternally remain in His presence.

Hope this answered your questions 🙂 Thanks again for reading my blog 🙂 Keep those questions coming!! 🙂

Some of the above material was adapted from : gotquestions.org, and Strong’s Concordance, and wordwise-bible-studies.com

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Messengers and Archangels – Names and Roles of Angels (Part 2) – ANGELS [5]

March 6, 2015March 11, 2015buildafoundation 2 Comments

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 54:17

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MESSENGER:

Another familiar reference to angels is the visitation of Mary, by the angel Gabriel, who told her she would be the mother of God’s son – …God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. – Luke 1:26-27

Gabriel was a “MESSENGER angel”. His role was to bring important messages from God to people, and to reveal truth about the Messiah. He appeared in a visible form and spoke words that could be heard. He was not a vision or dream.

He also appeared to Zechariah, ¹¹While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. ¹²Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. ¹³But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! – Luke 1:11-13, 19

Gabriel also appeared to Daniel, 500 years before he appeared to Zechariah. As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. – Daniel 9:21

ARCHANGEL:

Then there’s Michael, the ARCHANGEL, a “protector angel”. Michael was called the archangel in Jude 1:9 – But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!

Archangel means “chief of the angels”. He’s the defender of the nation of Israel.

In Revelation 12:7 we see Michael in his protector role. Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels.

A bit of trivia – There are only 3 angels mentioned by name in the Bible. Michael, Gabriel, and Satan.

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Cherubim and Seraphim – Names and Roles of Angels (Part 1) – ANGELS [4]

March 5, 2015March 11, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121:7-8

NAMES AND ROLES OF ANGELS:

CHERUBIM

From the very beginning of the Bible, in Genesis, we hear mention of angels. When God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, He placed angels in front of the entrance so no one could reenter the garden. After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. – Genesis 3:24

Cherubim was a word to describe “mighty angels”, who served as guardians. These “mighty angels” were also part of the Ark of Covenant – Exodus 25:18-22.

SERAPHIM

The seraphim or seraphs are described as “God worshiping angels”. They bring attention to God’s glory and majesty. They are mentioned in Isaiah’s vision when God calls him to be a prophet. “Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” – Isaiah 6:2-4

A bit of trivia: Isaiah chapter 6 is the only place in the Bible where seraphim are mentioned.

Resources: Angels: Elect & Evil by C. Fred Dickason and gotquestion.org.

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Are Angels and God the Same Thing??? – ANGELS [3]

March 2, 2015March 6, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

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Angel followers??

Back in the 1960’s a New Age movement began calling itself, “the Age of Aquarius”. Along with this movement came angel followers. The leaders of the movement led people to believe that angels could see all , hear all, and know all.

Ummm, do those characteristics that sound familiar to you? Perhaps, similar to all powerful (omnipotent), all present (omnipresent), all knowing (omniscience)?

Perhaps they sound like characteristics used to describe God?

So the New Age Movement was basically saying that angels were God???

The angels of the Age of Aquarius were thought to be either messengers of God, or spirits of deceased humans who could impart learning and understanding from “the other side” on us “earthlings”. They watch over every aspect of our lives, and death, everything. They loved us. Ummm…

Does this sound just a little bit too good to be true? Maybe so, but is sure sounds appealing.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone did love you that much? Watched over you. Cared about every aspect of your life. That nothing was too big or too small for them to deal with.

In fact, they would welcome the opportunity to help you. They would want to communicate all their knowledge freely to you, no strings attached. They would be willing to guide, protect, and direct you. That they would give you a “guide-book” to help you navigate through life as an “earthling”.

If you were thinking as you read, “Hey, we do have someone who promises to do all those things”. You’re correct, we do. But it’s not angels, it’s GOD, the creator of everything, including angels.

Keep in mind, that the “created” will never see more, hear more, or know more than the one who created it

So are angels real, or are just another made-up human idea seeking to fill the void God has put in hearts each one of us?

As you may know, angels (and demons) are mentioned in the Bible, and it is from this source that we will be learning about them. Not from unstable, unfounded speculation or superstitions, but from the stable and trusted Word of God.

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Spirit World – Proceed with Caution – ANGELS [2]

February 27, 2015March 6, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. – Psalm 34:7

The information we will be talking about in the discussion of angels will be adapted from the book, Angels, Elect and Evil by C. Fred Dickason

People have long since been intrigued by the possibility that an unseen spirit world exists. And interestingly enough, people often seek out these things because something inside them seems to be calling them to fill a “hole”.

It is when we feel this pull, that we need to proceed with caution. Take the time to engage your reasoning skills, while putting your emotions on the back burner for a bit.

Remember the Garden of Eden? It was described as a place of safety and beauty. A place where animals and people lived together as friends. You may also remember that Satan, in the form of a serpent, enticed and led astray Adam and Eve with lies. Although subtle lies, they were still a distortion of God’s Truth.

These are the same subtle lies Satan used on people in the past, us today, and will he will continue to use in the future. Why? Because they work. These lies successfully pull people away from the love, security, and guidance of God, towards chaos, insecurity, fear, and confusion.

Satan doesn’t entice people over to his “team” so that he can love and provide for them. On the contrary, he just doesn’t want you to be on God’s “team”. So when you choose not to follow God, who are you following? The culture? Your friends? TV personalities? Who or what? When you don’t follow God, you end up lost, flaying around, bouncing from one popular idea to the next. Seeking and searching. All the while knowing something is missing, but not knowing what.

Let’s use the internet as an example. It is a fantastic resource. It allows us to network with people, to stay connected, to get information, to make purchases, it provides a platform to get our ideas heard, like my blog :), to get recipes, to learn to play guitar, to learn what’s going on in other parts of the world, etc.

But, with all the good, there’s comes all the bad. Seems like there is always two sides to every story. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. – Proverbs 18:17

In the example of the internet there’s pornography, reconnecting with “old” lovers or “new” lovers when your spouse is no longer “exciting” to you, or anonymity when you post pictures and/or comments you never would in “real life”.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

So keep this in mind: have cautious awareness when discussing angels.

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Angels ??? – ANGELS [1]

February 25, 2015March 6, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the fortress of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

Some time ago I asked my children, “What would you like to learn more about from the Bible?” My son answered, “angels”.

As a result of his request, angels will be the topic of my next few posts.

When you think of angels, does this painting from the famous Italian painter Raphael come to mind?

A bit of trivia – These two angels, we typically see alone, however, they are actually part of the painting, Sistine Madonna. Raphael was commissioned by Pope Julius II, in 1512, to create an altarpiece of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child for the newly built Benedictine Monastery of San Sisto in Piacenza, Italy. It was the last painting he did in his own hand before his death in 1520.

Or, do you think of Jacob’s Ladder, from the vision Jacob had in Genesis 28:12?

…and as he (Jacob) slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.

(I was unable to determine the artist of this painting. If anyone knows, could you please write it in the comments section? Thanks 🙂 )

Or, do you think of angels as great warriors?

Or, ever-present protectors?

Or, perhaps guardian angels?

Or, maybe as your conscience?

Or, cupid?

When it comes to the depiction of angels, you can see that there are a variety of interpretations.

Let’s dive into the Word of God together, and see what God tells us about angels.

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So Many Choices, How Can I Choose?? – PROVERBS 5 [7 out of 7]

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

The person without the Spirit can’ t understand the truths that come from the Spirit of God. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Verses 21-23 wrap up Proverbs 5:
21   For the LORD sees clearly what a man does,
       examining every path he takes.
22   An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
       they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23   He will die for lack of self-control;
       he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

What I particularly like about Solomon’s advice is that he is a straight-talker. You don’t have to read between the lines to understand his message (see bold print).

Solomon points out clearly that it’s the choices we made that define the path we’re on today. We weren’t randomly teleported to where we are now.

If we take the time to reflect on our past choices, using the gift of reasoning God gave only to people, we would be able to see that, “I did _____ in this situation, choosing to do _______, and ______ , and the result was _______.” Hind sight is 20/20 after-all. 🙂

Each choice we make takes us down a different path. Some great, some a learning experience, and some destructive. We’re continually making choices. We’re never stagnant.

For example – I chose to look down, although quickly, at a text while driving, and don’t see that the car in front of me slowed up to let a family of geese pass, and I hit them.

These warnings from Solomon in Proverbs Chapter 5, , and others we read about in the Bible, are there because God knows we struggle with all the choices that bombard us. If this was not an issue, God wouldn’t spend so much time emphasizing, and re-emphasizing the potential irreversible emotional, and physical consequences of going our own way.

I mean seriously, isn’t it hard enough trying to pick out the “right” tube of toothpaste at the grocery store?

Won’t it be nice to be able to KNOW which toothpaste would give me those bright white teeth? Wouldn’t it be nice to KNOW which choice would give me a rich and satisfying life? – John 10:10

Thankfully, we can KNOW the “wise” choice. Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. – Matthew 7:13

Make a choice today to follow God’s ways, and ask God into your heart, see The Cornerstone… tab in the menu.

(To read all the posts from Proverbs 5, click Proverbs 5 link under Categories in sidebar, or scroll down if viewing on mobile version)

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God – Keeping Sexual Purity “Real” – PROVERBS 5 – [6]

February 20, 2015February 20, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.  Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor…  –  1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
————————————————————————
15 Drink water from your own well—

    share your love ONLY with your wife.

16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,

    having sex with just anyone?

17 You should reserve it for yourselves.

    Never share it with strangers.

¹⁸Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
    Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
¹⁹She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
    Let her breasts satisfy you always.
    May you always be captivated by her love.
²⁰Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
    or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

Solomon doesn’t hold anything back in these next few verses of Proverbs 5. Can you believe this is God giving us these intimate/detailed guidelines?

That’s our Creator.

He tells it like it is. He keeps it real. He knows our hearts, He knows all people, No one needs to tell him what mankind is really like. – John 2:24-25, He knows our weaknesses. He warns us because He loves us and wants to protect us.

Although He doesn’t force us to choose His way, He gave people freewill. He doesn’t want us to feel hopeless and confused.

The promise God gave the Israelites, 3,000+ years ago, is true for us today, as well. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, (pleading, begging, my add) that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! – Deuteronomy 30:19

What a powerful and hopeful verse!!

God wants us to be aware that our actions have consequences, both positive and negative.

Would I be a good parent if I didn’t tell my children that “doing” drugs is harmful to themselves and others?
Would I be a good parent if I told my children that having sex outside of marriage is nothing more than a “good” time, with no physical or emotional repercussions?
Would I be a “good” parent if I simply let the culture drive my children’s decisions, so they could experience “real life”?

If we, sinful people, know how to give good gifts (protection and warnings, my add) to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him (who follow Him, my add). – Matthew 7:11

We might not want to believe this, but we’ve all experienced the fact that we can’t change other people. Even if the advice, support, and guidance we’re giving them is right on target, some people would rather touch the fire to be sure it’s hot, rather than listening and heeding the advice of those who have already been burned.

As Solomon writes in the Book of Ecclesiastes, History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. There’s nothing new under the sun. – Ecclesiastes. 1:9

I urge and remind myself, and others –

DON’T just listen to God’s word. DO what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. – James 1:22

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Stress – Chance or Choices?? – PROVERBS 5 [5]

February 17, 2015February 17, 2015buildafoundation 6 Comments

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

9    If you do, you will lose your honor
      and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved.
10 Strangers will consume your wealth,
       and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
11 In the end you will groan in anguish
      when disease consumes your body.
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
       If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
       Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
     and now I must face public disgrace.

We left off in Proverbs 5:1-9 with: – (see previous post, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-dA)

7 Never stray from what I am about to say:
8 Stay away from her!
Don’t go near the door of her house!

Continuing to v.9 above, Solomon warns about losing your honor and what you’ve achieved.

I’ll use the example of engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage. Purity is one gift that can never be re-gifted. If we choose to give our “gift” of purity, intended as a special ”gift” to our spouse on our wedding night, to someone who is likely a passing infatuation, we lose the opportunity to give that “gift” again.

Or, in the case of a marriage covenant that has been violated by an adulteress affair. The trust, respect, and the relationship as a whole, has been forever changed. And if a divorce is the result of the adulteress affair, this leads to distribution of wealth – child support, ex-spousal maintenance, and verse 10, someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. Sadly, the fruits of your labor, are not solely enjoyed as one family, but rather must be divided up between your present “family” and your ex-family.

Verse 11 goes on to say that, disease consumes your body.
This could come in many forms, but the one that I think of immediately is stress. Stress takes a devastating toll on a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Life, in general, can be stressful. But when WE MAKE choices contrary to God’s guidance, it only compounds our stress.

What got us into this mess?

v. 12 – I hated discipline. I ignored all the warnings!
v. 13 – I didn’t listen to my teachers or instructors

The result?

v. 14 – now I must face public disgrace (face the consequences of my choices – my add)

We see in the verses 1-11, not to mention the 4 previous chapters in Proverbs, warning after warning. (See posts under Categories – Proverbs 1-4 – sidebar on computer view and bottom of page on mobile view). Each one given to us for our protection.

However, when our pride says, “____ can’t happen to me, it’s no big deal, everyone else is doing it, it’s all under control, I’m fine,…” yet I find myself in a “BIG mess”, if I dare… I can look back and see that with every step I took, I HAD a choice, and I MADE a choice. A choice to follow my way or God’s way.

Unfortunately, that same “I” who made those choices, trusting in myself vs my Creator, is now stuck with the consequences.

In the above verses, the consequences are negative. But had “I” listened to, and accepted God’s loving discipline, the results would been positive and fulfilling.

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