Do you seek wise counsel before making plans? No matter how wise the leader there is always much to be learned from another’s perspective. We all have blind spots, so we need others to enlarge our vision. These counselors are not to be mere ‘yes’ men agreeing with us. They are to be wise in the biblical sense. Having heard wise advice, be humble enough to follow it.
The apostle Paul described his church-planting strategy: Go where no one has yet heard. This strategy informs our approach at WCC. We want to be a church that grows by preaching the gospel in a clear and relevant way to a generation that is far from God. Do you know someone who has “never heard of Him?” Invite them to join you at WCC this Sunday!
David’s psalm teaches us an important lesson: God is owner and we are His stewards. This is why we should offer the first part of every week, every day and every dollar to God in worship. By offering God our first fruits, we acknowledge His ownership of all.
Uzziah started out a great and godly king, but he didn’t finish well. Once humbly dependent on God, success went to his head. He spent his final years leprous and alone. When you are blessed don’t forget the God that blesses. Remember the One who made you and gave you all that you have. How do you want to finish this life?
Look for someone “ordinary” to sit next to at church today. And if you notice that several are looking to sit next to you, perhaps they read today’s quote too.
David wrote this Messianic psalm that predicted not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. The Son of David took our place, offering us His. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. God forsook Him to embrace us.
God’s reply to King Jehoshaphat’s prayer is for us too. Judah was facing a mighty foe, but God promised to fight for them. What are you facing today? Is there a situation so overwhelming that you are discouraged and afraid? Pray. Ask God to fight this battle for you. Say, “This battle is not mine, but it is the Lord’s!”
This salvation has immediate, ongoing, and future implication. You are saved from sin’s penalty (Justification). You are being saved from sin’s power (Sanctification). You will be saved from sin’s presence (Glorification). Salvation in Christ is whole and complete. He saves to the uttermost. Have you yet trusted Jesus as the Resurrected Lord and Savior of your life?
King Asa started well but finished poorly. He trusted God early in his reign and overcame a million man army. Later, he trusted his accumulated wealth and tried to bribe a foreign king to help him. God rebuked him for this, but he was unrepentant, ending his life with a bitter heart and bad feet. Where is your trust today? God is looking for those whose hearts are fully trusting Him.
There are days when we don’t know what to pray. Perhaps we feel overwhelmed or spiritually dry. Some days we are really wanting God’s best, but we lack the clarity to know how to pray for it. Whatever our state, as believers we have the Spirit as our Counselor and Friend. He knows what to pray. Say, “Spirit of God, please pray for me.” Then, listen to hear what He says.