Council

It has been over a year since my last post on this blog site. I have not made the time to do so and have actually missed doing this. During this time of absence there have been many thing occur that have caused a great deal of concern in my life. The spiritual being of this country, the U.S. economic situation, my job, the current political landscape and events around the world all of which could and do have both positive and negative implications for me and my family.

As I ponder all of the "events" one thought keep crossing my mind more than any other. That thought is my God is in control. Do I adhere to this promise that I know has more truth than anything thing else? Sadly more often than not, I begin to allow the world and those around me to "filter" my observations. Events and struggles going on in my life try closing in around me and shut me off from my Savior and His voice. As I have struggled with this, God showed me a couple of verses in Proverbs that have started to reshape my thought pattern.

First and foremost I have known, for many years, and continue to learn that 90% of my "fears" and "doubts" come when I loose site of the fact that EVERYTHING that goes on around me is rooted in the spiritual war that is going on around me. In past blogs I have discussed spiritual warfare and in my own life have learned that how I fare in such a struggle depends on how in tune I am with God and His word. That has been an up and down battle as it is with most of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been meditating on a couple of verses in Proverbs. In chapter 24, Solomon is advising his son's on the value of wisdom in many different situations. While verses 5-6 deal with warfare, I also feel they offer sound advise in spiritual warfare. "5 A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength; 6 for you should wage war with sound guidance - victory comes with many counselors." HCSB

God has impressed on me the need for knowledge and sound guidance, His knowledge and guidance! I can not fight this battle with my strength and by myself.  If I am to survive this conflict it will only be though God's hand leading me. I must search for His council/guidance, seek and use wisdom from gleaned from His word and through prayer and direction given by the Holy Spirit.  While some of this sound guidance may come through other devout Christians, i.e. sermons, lessons and books/devotionals, or my Christian family, it has been squarely placed on my shoulders that the vast majority must come through the Spirit from God.  In John 14:26 Christ tells us the Holy Spirit ".....will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you." HCSB

I'm listening.