You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand the are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 Treasure God!

He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him. Dan2:22b This praise after earnestly asking God for help & wisdom. Me: too self-sufficient-ugh!

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things... Dan9:21b-22a

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings... Dan2:20-21a

So thankful the promised Great Shepherd (Ezek34:11ff; Ps23) has come--resting under the watchful eye of the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ (Matt9 esp35-38; John10)

Matt chp5-7 the Gospel-driven life: people saved & being changed by Jesus' transforming power & used as instruments in His hands in other's lives for His glory!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Pr9:10 Chap1-9: parent's manual, emphasis on awe of God!

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate. Pr8:11

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Pr3:7-8 Shalom's affects

If you pursue God-->to know His wisdom & ways, "then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." Pr2:5 ...and reap blessings!

"Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD..." (Prov1:29) they will face the sad consequences of rejecting God.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning (correct starting place and course for finding true) knowledge; fools despise (God's) wisdom and instruction. Prov1:7

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. Pr14:27 "...may..." means we have to go & drink deeply--responding daily!

In the fear (reverence, awe, trembling) of the LORD there is strong confidence (wow-opposite of expected result), and His children will have refuge. Pr14:26

A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is arrogant and careless. Prov14:16 In what areas of my life am I too flippant towards evil? hmmm...

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. Prov14:1 Thank You, LORD, for Renee: a wise, godly woman--17+yrs of building!

Do not let kindness and truth leave you (both critical); bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Prov3:3 Godly character & actions.

For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield. Ps5:12

The Call of Grace

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people [salvation]...
...training us [sanctification/change/growth]:
- to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions (cf Eph 4:22 put off, reject), and
- to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age (cf Eph 4:24 put on, pursue)


Grace is a call to transformation--a call to work.
No, not talking about salvation: which is a free gift, an undeserved gift (cf Eph 2:8-9). We can't earn salvation, nor more of His love. We enjoy & rest in His grace.
However, as we see in v11, grace is also a call to work--to enter into the transformation process, to fight for change (yes, by the power of the Holy Spirit...yet, "cooperating" with Him).


...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own posession who are zealous for good works [service, our job].


Our Hope: our God & Savior who died for us!
...redeems us (pays the ransom and releases the captives)
...purifies us
...to be His own people, in His family, adopted
...to be His eager, joyful, working-hard-at-serving servants--doing His good works (cf Eph 2:10)

...behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased." Mt3:17 The Divine announcement of the great Messiah-King!

"...gather up His wheat into the barn but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Mt3:12 We "like" the Jesus of Mt2, but what about the KING (chp3)?!

"His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will ..." Matt3:12 A different Jesus is being announced...

"...and they (the magi) fell to the ground and they worshipped Him (Jesus, age2)." Matt2:11 Imagine that scene--and--see clearly that Jesus is being worshipped!

"For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you..." Pursue God!

THEN you will discover the knowledge of God... THEN you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course...

Prov2: IF you pursue God's wisdom...THEN you will discern the fear of the LORD (the right starting point for all knowledge & understanding)...

Wisdom101: Prov 1: DAILY=dig into bible, seek godly mentors (v1-7); reject the lure of fools (8-19), pursue blessing/wisdom (20-33; esp heed warning of 24-32)

Saddened at the loss of a great godly woman last week--praying for her family...yet...at peace b/c of her faith in the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!