Tag: godly counsel

January 3, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Increasing in Wisdom

Opening Verse

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.” – Proverbs 1:5-6 (KJV)

Introduction

The pursuit of wisdom begins with a willing heart to hear and grow. Proverbs invites us into a journey of increasing understanding and seeking God’s direction in life.

Devotional Story

A young man, eager to succeed in life, once asked his grandfather for advice. The elderly man handed him a Bible and said, “Read this first.” Skeptical but curious, the young man began to read. Over time, the stories, proverbs, and wisdom from God’s Word began to resonate deeply with him.

One day, faced with a major life decision, he turned to Proverbs 1:5-6. He realized that wisdom comes not just from personal ambition but from seeking wise counsel and understanding deeper truths. This lesson became a foundation for his future, guiding him to prioritize God’s Word above all else.

What This Means

Godly wisdom is not innate; it is cultivated. It begins with humility, a willingness to learn, and an acknowledgment that understanding comes from God. Hearing the Word, applying it, and surrounding ourselves with godly counsel helps us navigate life’s complexities.

Think About This

  • Are you actively seeking wisdom from God’s Word and from godly mentors?
  • How can you increase learning and apply it in your daily life?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to be a wise listener, eager to learn and grow in understanding. Guide me to seek Your counsel and the wisdom of those who honor You. Let Your Word illuminate my path, and may I walk in obedience to Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)

October 11, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

Return to Eden

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7, KJV)

Introduction

Mark, a seeker of truth and wisdom, discovered a profound lesson about discernment, foundational faith, and the eternal desire to return to a state of pure fellowship with God, as witnessed in the pristine communion of Eden. His narrative weaves a tale that connects the vitality of discernment with the aspiration to nurture a pure, unadulterated relationship with the Creator.

Devotional Story

While traversing through a village, known for its devout spirituality, Mark was welcomed by its inhabitants to partake in a sacred ceremony, meant to invoke divine strength through star-shaped crystals and an ancient chant. The atmosphere was imbued with a fervent yet serene spirituality, but amidst the apparent devotion, Mark felt a disquieting reservation within his spirit.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7, KJV)

Choosing to honor the subtle yet persistent voice of discernment, Mark abstained from participating. A revered couple, beloved by the villagers, encouraged him to join, speaking of abundant blessings that followed the ritual. But Mark, anchored in his understanding of Scripture, gently expressed his concerns.

He spoke of Eden, the divine garden where God and man walked together in unblemished fellowship, with no need for mediators or material conduits to access His divine presence.

“In the garden, Adam and Eve knew God intimately and directly. The purity of their worship and communion with Him was not routed through rituals or objects but was a direct, sincere, and unblemished connection,” Mark shared with gentle conviction.

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8, KJV)

His words, seeded in the hearts of some villagers, began to gently alter the spiritual landscape of the community. A return to a simpler, purer faith, reminiscent of the untainted fellowship witnessed in Eden, began to sprout, gradually redirecting their spiritual practices towards a direct and sincere worship of God.

Conclusion

Mark’s journey is a reminder to steadfastly uphold the purity of our faith, safeguarding it from practices that, while seemingly spiritual, may subtly divert our focus and reliance away from God. His longing to return to an Eden-like fellowship with God, where worship is direct, authentic, and untainted by additional rituals or objects, calls us to introspectively examine our own spiritual walk.

This devotional story invites us to consistently seek a return to the metaphorical Eden, where our relationship with God is primary, pure, and unmediated. In our spiritual practices, may we perpetually strive to walk with God in a garden of sincerity, ensuring that our worship, beliefs, and spiritual expressions remain perpetually aligned with His Word and His nature.

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23, KJV)