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At our Life Group's meeting last night, Proverbs 19:8 was presented and discussed. From the TEV it says,
Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper.From the Message:
Grow a wise heart-you'll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head-you'll find a good life.
The question: "What is something you enjoy learning about, and how can it benefit other people?"
My thoughts: You know, I really enjoy reading the Bible and learning new insights about what the Lord has to say and is saying to me. Wait..do I really? It's hard and tedious to read, research, look up, write down, and prepare for a sermon. I really don't enjoy that at all. But I do enjoy just reading and suddenly being interrupted by God. That is quite fulfilling. I like to write down what he says to me in those moments. And it is a heck of a lot easier to prepare from notes I've already taken. Plus, I have a better time communicating something God has taught me for my sake and my life, than to try to communicate something I know but am not really experiencing or have experienced. Interesting...
My notes: When I try to read and learn in order to teach people, it becomes hard and tedious. When I read to learn for my own sake, it comes much easier, and I hear God speak so much more clearly.
Ah-ha!: Well, whaddya know?! While in "ministry," I was always reading and learning more so that I could teach others what I think they need to know. But that came with great difficulty. When I learn for my own benefit, I then am armed with insight and blessings for others. Go figure. I was always trying too hard to go in the wrong direction. The scriptures say to "love others as you love yourself." When I love myself enough to learn more and better my spiritual journey, it can then benefit others.
While I was having those thoughts last night, God reminded me of Psalm 51. Perhaps you know verses 10-12:
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit. (NRSV)
Long ago when I was memorizing those verses, God had verse 13 stand out to me, as well:
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
In other words, after I seek God on my behalf, I will have what I need to teach others his ways. Thanks, God, for that little mile marker on this road while crossing the Kingdom.
Soli Deo Gloria
That is very similar to something Bridget spoke to Brenda about the people she prays with at her work.
Brenda was becoming weighed down, thinking she had to read and pray so she would have something to share with the people she prays with at work. It began to stress her out at times.
In conversation their (Bridget & Brenda) conversation, Bridget encouraged Brenda not to read the scriptures or pray looking for things to share with the others, but instead if she did spend time praying and reading the scriptures to let it be simply to commune with God, to spend time with Him and no other reason, because that is what it is all about, our relationship with Him.
Out of our relationship with Him come the overflow of offer advice, guidance, encouragement, wisdom and all of the other things that will benefit people. I would say most times we are also able to communicate things better because they are not what we think they need to hear, but they are something God has done in our lives and is now being lived out, so others actually have some kind of reference point to start with, an example to see.
Good stuff, man! Keep pressing on!