Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for
your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the
LORD. Say to him, "Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that
we may offer you our praises. Assyria cannot save us, nor can our warhorses.
Never again will we say to the idols we have made, 'You are our gods.' No, in
you alone do the orphans find mercy." The LORD says, "Then I will
heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will
be gone forever. I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel
will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the
cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as
fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. My people will again live under my shade.
They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as
fragrant as the wines of Lebanon. "O Israel, stay away from idols! I am
the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is
always green; all your fruit comes from me." Let those who are wise
understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The
paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in
them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:1-9
Let
those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen
carefully.
Who is wise among us and who can discern
what is true? The book of Proverbs gives us some insight and understanding…if
we search it, we will find it…beginning with the purpose of Proverbs.
Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and
discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is
to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what
is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs
and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by
exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and
their riddles. Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools
despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:2-7
Solomon asked God for wisdom—even above
riches or long life—as he became king over Israel. God blessed him with that
wisdom and riches as well.
Asking for wisdom wasn’t just an Old
Testament request. For example, Paul asked for wisdom for fellow believers in
Ephesus.
Ever since I first heard of your strong
faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, I have not
stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the
glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and
insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your
hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope
he has given to those he called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious
inheritance. Ephesians 1:15-18
We can ask the same thing today…for
ourselves, our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers…and even for the leaders
of our country. Spiritual wisdom and insight is so important. Is this something
you desire? God has promised to give us the desires of our hearts.
 |
| New York City - from the Empire State Building |
Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will
live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give
you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and
he will help you. Psalm 37:3-5
Prayer
~ Lord, I trust in You with all my heart; not depending on my own
understanding. I seek Your will in all that I do, and know that You will show
me which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6. The wisdom that I seek is Your wisdom.
Thank You.
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
Chocolate. A great comfort food for many
people—and this is a time when people need comfort. There can be a lot of
calories in chocolate, and more calories are not what many of us need. I, for
one, need to lose about ten pounds. But be careful. Matter is neither created
nor destroyed—it just changes locations.
About three years ago I read the book Smart Chefs Stay Slim by Allison Adato.
One of the lessons from that book is to surround yourself with food you
like—but only eat the best. Don’t bother with things you don’t really like. For
instance, if you like chocolate—eat only THE VERY BEST chocolate. Pass up any
sugar-free or common candy bar stuff; don’t compromise yourself.
Recipe for today. If you are not already
familiar with Intense Orange Lindt Dark Chocolate with almond slivers—try some
soon. I highly recommend it since it is chocolate worth waiting for. Don’t get
distracted when you eat it. Savor each bite—and do share with special friends.
You can rationalize that since it is dark chocolate—it is healthy! Enjoy.
©
2020 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,
copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Follow And Like "Banquet With
The King" on Facebook. 👍
No comments:
Post a Comment